Local not-for-profit organisations, charitable trusts, and individuals involved with projects or activities directly related to recreational water use are invited to apply for funding from Whakatāne District Council.

Whakatāne District Council is preparing a submission on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill, in anticipation that public submissions will be called for on the Bill.

Funding restrictions and tight timeframes have seen the wheels come loose on an off-road trail in Awatapu.

Whakatāne District Mayor Dr Victor Luca has announced that Council Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan will leave the organisation mid- July 2024 to take up the Chief Executive role at Waipa District Council. 

“While this news has come as a surprise, I have always anticipated our CE would be moving on to further her career at some stage. It is the natural order of these things. Steph is a driven and dedicated public service professional, this move is a great opportunity for her and I wish her the very best.” 

Improvement works on the river-edge area of Wairaka Centennial Park in Whakatāne are set to commence next week. 

Despite growing concerns about the cost of food increasing year-on-year, Kiwi households are still throwing away more than $3.2 billion worth of food every year.

Our main offices will be closed on Thursday, 25 April and most council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely in observance of ANZAC Day.

A high-risk section of Thornton Road known as ‘Blueberry Curves’ will have safety improvements and a reduced speed limit implemented by 2026, following agreement by elected members at today’s (11 April) Infrastructure & Planning committee meeting. 

Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre will be closed to the public for a period of three weeks to allow contractors to carry out scheduled maintenance and improvement works at the facility.