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
Prime Minister confirms emergency support package
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an emergency support funding package for the Whakatāne District that will help to alleviate the economic impact of the Whakaari / White Island eruption on 9 December 2019.
Bay of Plenty tourism industry rallies together following eruption on Whakaari/White Island
Bay of Plenty tourism representatives are rallying together to support the industry and those affected following the eruption on Whakaari/White Island on Monday afternoon.
Whakaari / White Island event response
Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner says her heart goes out to the injured, the missing and deceased, and their families and whanau.
Senseless vandalism destroys community assets
A spate of vandalism over the weekend has wreaked havoc on public conveniences and decimated established gardens in the Whakatāne District.
Popular Cans for Fines initiative returns
Whakatāne Libraries & Galleries invites the public to support their community and clear or reduce their fines at the same time.
Ōhope wastewater inspections require resident action
Essential maintenance work on the Ōhope wastewater system during the next two weeks will require residents to take action to ensure any pressurisation of sewer lines does not result in water being expelled from their toilet bowls.
Triple exhibition set to inspire
Three new exhibitions showcasing contemporary visual art will open at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi on Saturday 7 December, with a focus on celebrating and inspiring the creativity of local rangatahi.
Hinemoa Street median island trial
A sandbag median island is being installed on Hinemoa Street, at Wainui Te Whara, to test the feasibility of a permanent median island at the site.
Council achieves climate change certification
The Council has been certified under the world-leading Toitū carbonreduce® programme, previously known as CEMARS. Whakatāne joins the likes of Kāpiti Coast District Council, Wellington City Council and Waikato Regional Council to become one of eight New Zealand local government councils to be Toitū carbonreduce® certified.
Local Government Minister considers options for improved electoral legislation
Whakatāne District Council representatives had the opportunity to meet with Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta last week to discuss the process surrounding the Galatea-Murupara Ward tie and recount situation in the recent local elections.
Save the date for annual over-80s morning tea
Whakatāne District residents over the age of 80 are encouraged to circle Tuesday 3 December in their calendar for the annual celebratory morning tea.
Annual Report adopted 2018/19
The new Whakatāne District Council adopted the audited Annual Report for the 2018/19 financial year at an extraordinary meeting held on 31 October 2019. The Annual Report covers all aspects of the Council’s financial management, plus 92 non-financial performance measures, and is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002.
Council considers boundary change request from Kawerau District Council
Whakatāne District Council is considering a proposal by Kawerau District Council to change the boundary between the two districts. The proposed boundary change would complement an initial change in 2011 that enabled Kawerau to zone an additional 145 hectares of industrial land in the district. The current proposal adds a further 478 hectares of land to this zone, facilitating increased industrial development in the district.
Council calls for changes to legislation
Whakatāne District Council is seeking a meeting with Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to discuss what it says are flaws in the local electoral legislation. These flaws were exposed in the process that had to be followed for the tie and recount in last month's Galatea-Murupara Ward election.
District youth celebrated at annual award ceremony
The annual Young Achiever Awards held on Monday celebrated the achievements of 195 youth for excellence in academic, cultural and sporting fields at national or international level.
Compleat campaign encourages less food waste
The Compleat It campaign from Love Food Hate Waste aims to reduce food wastage, currently one of the largest environmental challenges globally. The campaign, which focuses on more than how food is cooked, is a holistic philosophy that aims to help New Zealanders take action and 'Compleat' their food.
Routine fire hydrant maintenance scheduled
Whakatāne District Council and Ōhope Volunteer Fire Brigade will undertake a fire hydrant flushing programme throughout Ōhope in November.
Council launches online booking system for venues
From November 1 people will be able to book Whakatāne District Council-owned venues via a new online system.
Award-winning crafts the basis of exhibition
The Endless Thread is an annual showcase of award-winning fibre crafts from around the Bay of Plenty. The Whakatāne Fibre Crafters hosted this year’s competition, giving judge Nynke Piebenga – a Waikato weaver - the challenge of choosing winners across seven categories and more than 150 entries.
Pedestrian crossing improvement for Landing Road
The pedestrian crossing next to the Gull service station on Landing Road is scheduled for maintenance this week to improve accessibility for users. The current design restricts maneuverability, especially for mobility scooters and wheelchairs, as the median bay is too narrow.
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