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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).
Get updates and more information »
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News
Greenprint for Whakatāne tackles food sovereignty
Community initiative, 'Greenprint for Whakatāne', will hold a hui (meeting) on Thursday, 18 October to bring together like-minded locals who are keen to work together for food sovereignty.
Whakatāne - Where kiwi wander! Bronze kiwi sculptures on display at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi Whakatāne Library & Exhibition Centre
Ten life-sized life-like bronze kiwi sculptures will be on display at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi Whakatāne Library & Exhibition Centre from 6th - 31st October. The exhibit will be Whakatāne's first chance to see the new sculptures which will form a scavenger hunt and education arts trail through the town.
Holiday Fun at HEG Whakatāne Library
The Horizon Energy Group Whakatāne Library has heaps of fun activities planned for the school holidays, with a programme offering something for everyone.
Dog owners urged to be considerate
The Whakatāne District Council is urging residents using the new Ōhiwa Harbourside Trail to be considerate when exercising their dogs. Council has received a number of complaints regarding an increase in the amount of dog mess left on and around the trail, largely due to dogs that are not on leads, and owners who are not living up to their responsibilities.
ShakeOut 2018
At 09:30am on 18 October 2018, New Zealand will be taking part in ShakeOut, an international earthquake drill and tsunami hikoi (walk). It's important that you, your family and friends know what to do in the event of an earthquake or tsunami so this is the perfect opportunity to prepare.
Council Chief Executive appointment announced
Whakatāne District Mayor Tony Bonne has announced that Stephanie O’Sullivan has been appointed Chief Executive of the Whakatāne District Council. Ms O'Sullivan will take up her new role on 19 November.
Council website tops national rankings
The Whakatāne District Council’s website has been ranked as the best local government site in the country, for the fourth year in a row.
Poetry Slam event at Te Kōputu
All local spoken word performers are invited to a poetry slam event at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre – on Wednesday 26 September. Doors open at 5:15 pm and the event kicks off at 5:30 pm.
Hīkoi to celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week
Whakatāne District Council invited the community to join in its celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week. The Council’s Pou Tikanga (Māori Cultural Advisor), Pouroto Ngāropō, guided staff on a hīkoi around significant sites in the Whakatāne CBD.
Eastern Bay schools join BikeReady initiative
Eastern Bay Road Safety Programme partners, ACC and NZTA, have invested in a national cycling education system through a programme called BikeReady. The BikeReady programme was established to assist people to develop skills suited to their stage of cycling, from learning bike-handling skills in primary school, through to learning to ride safely on the road.
Infinitely Varied displayed in exhibition of Kelliher Art Trust works
Whakatāne will be treated to a collection of prizewinning New Zealand landscape paintings from the Kelliher Art Trust collection, when a three-stop gallery tour lands in Te Kōputu in September.
Road Safety team farewells key member
The Eastern Bay Road Safety Programme's Alcohol and Drug Project Team said farewell last week to Lena Radford-Coles, a committed and inspirational member of the team. Lena was recognised by her colleagues for her contribution to the team, and in particular, her role in coordinating the highly successful two-day, marae-based alcohol and drug offender programme.
New exhibition captures memories through craft
The latest exhibition to grace the galleries of Te Kōputu sees a mixed-media display from artist Lauren Lysaght, which reflects on gender roles but is rooted in nostalgia. Kutarere Sunrise is a hearfelt tribute to Lauren’s father, Nelson Lysaght, a butcher who was born and raised in Kutarere.
Aquatic Centre reception to undergo makeover
The Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre’s reception area will be undergoing an upgrade next week, during which time an alternative entrance will be in place.
Civic Centre seismic strengthening solution welcomed
A detailed seismic rating and engineering study carried out on the Whakatāne District Council Civic Centre has indicated that the strengthening work needed to raise the centre’s earthquake resistance to a suitable standard for a public or commercial building may be able to be carried out well within the $3 million budget set aside for the project.
Final District Recovery update received
A final report on the Whakatāne District’s recovery from the April 2017 flooding disaster has been received by the Whakatāne District Council’s Policy Committee.
Council elected members’ remuneration increased
The Remuneration Authority has determined that Whakatāne District Council elected members will receive an increase in remuneration for the 2018/2019 year.
Perception survey findings received
The Whakatāne District Council’s annual Communitrak community perception survey has recorded steady results, with perceptions of 15 services or facilities improving or staying much the same, and a similar number decreasing slightly.
Harbour fund investment strategy framework
The Whakatāne District Council has agreed to develop an investment framework to safeguard and grow the $52 million of harbour-related assets it holds on the community’s behalf. A report setting out an investment strategy was received by the Council last week, with Council elected members endorsing a three-phase approach to investigating and implementing future investment options.
2018 Kiwi Junior League Festival coming next week
The countdown is on to the third annual Kiwi Junior Rugby League Festival, taking place Whakatāne – the North Island’s sunshine capital – at the end of next week.
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