View active and proposed road closures, roadworks, and emergency road status information.
Our main offices will be closed Easter Weekend. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely. Areas where rubbish and recycling are normally collected on Fridays will instead have collections on Saturday, 19 April. See the full list of services' opening hours »
Tropical Cyclone Tam - Weather Warning
Tropical Cyclone Tam is expected to bring significant wind and rainfall to our region from midday Thursday (17 April) to midnight Friday (18 April).
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News
Council continues to monitor Murupara drinking water
Whakatāne District Council is continuing to respond to and monitor Murupara’s boil water notice.
Cyclone Gabrielle Updates
Under the current national state of emergency we are monitoring and supporting the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle across the North Island.
Safer Travel Route coming to Goulstone, Crete and Salonika Streets neighborhood
The Goulstone, Crete and Salonika Streets neighbourhood is set to receive some major safety upgrades with a five-month work programme starting this week.
Manawahe Road temporary lane closure
Whakatāne District Council (Council) advises as from 8am tomorrow (Monday, 6th February), a section of Manawahe Road will be reduced to one lane, as contractors work to lower water levels on neighbouring property.
Galatea-Waiōhau residents called to vote
Residents in the Galatea-Waiōhau subdivision can expect to receive new voting papers in the post for the Murupara Community Board by-election. Nominations closed on Thursday, 22 December 2022, and voting closes on Friday, 17 February 2023.
Warm, wet weather produces bumper grass crop in parks and sportsgrounds
The sun’s out, summer seems to have finally arrived, and the grass is growing faster than our mowing team can put their earmuffs on.
Whakatāne District Council is calling for patience from the community as staff deal with areas of long grass at the District’s parks and sportsgrounds.
Council encourages communities to have their say on Three Waters Reform legislation bills
Central Government released two new legislative bills regarding Three Waters Reform prior to parliament rising for summer holiday.
Temporary speed reduction for Ōhope Hill
Due to several severe crashes over the holiday period, Whakatāne District Council will temporarily be reducing the speed limit on the Ōhope Hill from 80km to 60km.
Council gets green light for Better off Funding projects
There’s great news for the people of the Whakatāne District, with Council set to receive $5.66 million of funding to accelerate seven ’Community Good’ projects.
It comes after Council’s application for the first tranche ($5.66 million) of Government’s Better off Funding, was officially approved last week.
Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan says it’s great to see investment coming into the area from Central Government which will ensure we can continue to create an inclusive, resilient, and thriving District.
Hui Hue exhibition set to spark curiosity in CBD
Christmas shoppers passing by and visitors to Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi / Whakatāne Library and Galleries, will have their curiosity sparked following the instalment of a striking new exhibition sitting front and centre at the Gallery.
Remediation works planned for slip affected Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway
Following significant rainfall in October, a section of the much-loved Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway has been out of action after a large slip caused extensive damage to the track.
Fatbergs found in Whakatāne and Murupara wastewater systems
Some gross surprises in Whakatāne and Murupara’s wastewater systems has prompted Whakatāne District Council to remind the community about what can and can’t be flushed down toilets and drains.
Whakaari Whakamaumahara - Whakaari Memorial 2022
In December 2020, at a pandemic impacted memorial event to mark the first anniversary of the Whakaari eruption, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Tumuaki Joe Harawira promised that the time would come when everyone who wanted to could gather at Tu Mānuka Tūtahi to remember.
$3.5 million in funding for new cycle and pedestrian paths
Whakatāne District Council has provisionally received 3.5 million to fund two new cycling and walking trails in Whakatāne.
Roads to be sealed under new policy finalised
Whakatāne District Council has now finalised its list of which gravel roads will be sealed and when according to its Seal Extension Policy.
River dredging to start next week
To keep the Whakatāne River bar passable for big boats, Whakatāne District Council will start dredging next week.
New citizens welcomed
On behalf of Aotearoa New Zealand, Whakatāne District Council welcomed 25 new citizens this week ready to call our country home.
Mayor acknowledges passing of former Mayor John William (Jack) Gow
Whakatāne District Mayor, Dr Victor Luca would like to acknowledge the passing of former Whakatāne District Mayor John William (Jack) Gow who passed away last week.
Mr Gow served as a councillor for 10 years (1976-86), including six years (1980-86) as Mayor of the Whakatāne District.
Mayor Luca says Mr Gow’s passing is a loss for all those who loved him, but he leaves behind a legacy of public service that they can be hugely proud of.
Whakatāne District Mayor seeking the details of new proposal
Whakatāne District Mayor Dr Victor Luca is watching with interest the continuing debate about the Government's Three Waters Reform, reinvigorated by an alternative proposal by the Mayors of Auckland and Christchurch.
Proposed boundary changes between Kawerau District and Whakatane District
The Local Government Commission has received a reorganization initiative proposing changes to the boundary between Kawerau District and Whakatane District. The Commission has adopted a process, under clause 7, Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act 2022, for investigating proposed changes.
The Commission is now inviting feedback from members of the public in relation to the proposed boundary changes. The effect of the proposed changes would be to transfer four parcels of land in three separate areas from Whakatane District to Kawerau District:
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