Keep up to date with current and upcoming road closures, roadworks, road reserve works, and emergency road status information in the Whakatāne District.
Our main office will be closed Monday, 27 October 2025 in observance of Labour Day. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely. Refuse collection will take place as normal. See the full list of services' opening hours »
News
Planning an event this summer? Don’t forget your liquor licence
As the summer season approaches, event organisers looking to sell or supply alcohol are reminded to submit their special licence applications early – at least 20 working days before their event.
From cargo shed to community event hub at Wharfside
From humble cargo shed to harbourside celebration space. Discover how the building at Port Ōhope wharf has been transformed into Wharfside - a stunning venue where the community can gather for everything from intimate family moments to celebrations of 250 guests. With panoramic harbour views and year-round availability, this is where memories meet the water's edge.
Whakatāne District Council Local Election 2025 Final results
Final results in the Whakatāne District Council local election have been declared, confirming three-term councillor and former Green MP Nándor Tánczos as Mayor.
Council services availability - Labour Day
Our main office will be closed Monday, 27 October 2025 in observance of Labour Day. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely.
Ride the Runway returns to Whakatāne Airport
Ride The Runway is back at Whakatāne Airport on Saturday, 18 October, offering cyclists of all ages and abilities a unique opportunity to ride down the runway in a fun, safe, and family-friendly environment.
Whakatāne District Council Election Preliminary results
Preliminary results in the Whakatāne District Council election show a different outcome from progress results, with three-term councillor and former Green MP Nándor Tánczos now the Mayor Elect.
Whakatāne District Council Election Progress results
Candidates stood and voters answered - progress election results show a new-look Council taking shape for the Whakatāne District.
Wild Success: Food Festival Feast Claims National Crown
Local festival celebrates remarkable nine-year journey with New Zealand Event Award win.
Rugby Park lighting project to transform community sport
The main field at Rugby Park, Whakatāne will soon light up for evening games and training sessions, thanks to generous funding from Trust Horizon.
Council sets sights on record voter turnout for Whakatāne District
Life is busy - work, whānau, commitments, routines. This local election is about making voting fit seamlessly into all of that.
Keepa Road Shared Use Path to receive maintenance while future upgrades considered
The Keepa Road Shared Use Path will continue to be maintained under the current reactive maintenance programme, following a decision by the Infrastructure and Planning Committee today.
Councillors approve refined approach for Matatā wastewater solution
Whakatāne District Council Elected Members today approved the next steps for the Matatā Wastewater Project, endorsing a refined approach to delivering wastewater services for the community.
The decision confirms a moderate-scale, modular treatment system designed to service up to 700 homes, alongside moving forward with a resource consenting strategy.
The project aims to address long-standing public health and environmental risks from failing on-site wastewater systems, which has been a key Council priority for many years.
Ōpihi Spit sand fuse removal
Work to remove a build-up of sand on the spit adjacent to the Whakatāne River mouth will begin on Thursday, 4 September, to help reduce the risk of upstream flooding during extreme rain events.
First Open Spaces Strategy approved to guide future of the District
The Whakatāne District Council Living Together Committee has approved a new vision for the future of the District, adopting the first-ever Open Spaces Strategy that establishes a long-term framework for managing 1,440 hectares of parks and reserves.
"Open spaces are the heart of communities - they're where we live, relax, connect, and explore," said Alexandra Pickles, General Manager Community Experience.
"This Strategy consolidates everything Council does with open spaces and creates clear connections to broader council priorities."
It's not a rubbish bin. Only garden waste in your greenwaste bin.
From nappies to mattress foam, spray paint cans, tarpaulins, garden hoses and bags of general rubbish, Whakatāne District Council continues to find all sorts of things in kerbside greenwaste bins that simply don’t belong.
Council adopts updated Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy
Whakatāne District Council has formally adopted its updated Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy 2025, setting out how the Council will manage buildings that may pose a risk to people, neighbouring properties, or the wider community.
The policy, required under the Building Act 2004, sets out the steps the Council will take when a building is found to be dangerous, could be affected by a dangerous neighbouring building, or is insanitary. It replaces the 2019 policy and will be reviewed again within five years, as required by legislation.
New speed limits adopted for high-risk roads across Whakatāne District
Whakatāne District Council has formally adopted a series of speed limit changes across the district.
Council adopts plan for local water services delivery
Whakatāne District Council has formally adopted its Water Services Delivery Plan.
Stand for Something – Strong field of candidates step up for Whakatāne District elections
The Whakatāne District Council elections are heating up with a strong field of candidates stepping up to shape the future of local leadership.
With nominations now officially confirmed by Election Services, voters across the district will have genuine choices across nearly all positions - including six contenders for the mayoralty and contested races across most wards and community boards.
“Six candidates for mayor shows strong community interest in local leadership,” said Chief Executive, Steven Perdia.
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