All News

New committees formed in governance structure revamp

The addition of a couple of new committees is a key feature of Waikato District Council’s Mayor Jacqui Church’s governance structure for the next three years.

Tuakau Skate Park is officially open

The result of Waikato District Council’s partnership with a sports trust was officially opened today.

Beetle traps combat spread of Dutch elm disease

The detection of Dutch elm disease at the Auckland region-Waikato District boundary has triggered an insect trapping programme that will start this month.

AFFCO Horotiu Dog Park to close in February 2023

AFFCO Horotiu Dog Park, on the corner of Great South Road and Horotiu Road, is due to close to the public from Monday 27 February 2023.

Papakaainga workshop success in Ngaaruawaahia

Around 50 people joined key Waikato District Council staff, plus representatives from Waikato Tainui, Te Kooti Whenua Maaori, Waikato Regional Council and Te Puni Kookiri at the Ngaawuawaahia Town Hall to listen, learn and ask questions about the papakaainga process within the Waikato district.

Shape the future of Ngaaruawaahia, Hopuhopu and Taupiri

Council is asking for public feedback to inform its review of the Ngaaruawaahia, Hopuhopu and Taupiri Structure Plan and the introduction of a brand-new Ngaaruawaahia Town Centre Plan. Read more.

Changes set to increase housing density in the Waikato district

We want the Government to hear loud and clear from Waikato District Council residents what they think and feel about a proposed change which could see up to three homes, up to 11m (3 stories) high built without the need for resource consent or neighbours permission. Whether you agree or disagree with the planned changes, make sure you submit your feedback by 5pm, Friday 28 October.

Council supports tighter restrictions on bottle stores in the Waikato district

Waikato District Council is supporting tighter restrictions on bottle stores, to help reduce alcohol related harm in its communities. Under the provisional policy, there will be no new standalone bottle stores in Tuakau, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngaruawahia and Raglan, and in areas where there is social deprivation.

Raglan wastewater treatment plant goes solar

Raglan's wastewater treatment plant will soon be powered by solar, offsetting Council's carbon emissions by feeding back into the grid.

Wahine in the Waikato - Jacqui Church confirmed as new Waikato District Council Mayor

Final election results released today confirm that Jacqui Church has been elected as Mayor of the Waikato district. Church is the first female to be elected to this position in the Waikato district and says that she is honoured to continue to pave the way for women in local governance.

Housing growth unlocked in Ngāruawāhia

The Galbraith Street catchment area in the Waikato district town of Ngāruawāhia will receive $5.32 million for three waters and transport infrastructure, Housing Minister Megan Woods announced in Hastings today.

Waikato district preliminary election results

Preliminary election results indicate that there is likely to be nine new Councillors and the new Mayor of the Waikato district is likely to be Jacqui Church. Read more.

Waikato district progress election results

A massive THANK YOU to the 27.8% of Waikato district residents who cast their votes in the local elections 2022! Following the closure of voting at midday Saturday, progress results indicate that Jacqui Church is likely to lead the Waikato district as Mayor over the next three years. Read more.

Award-winning Raglan author tours Waikato district libraries

Award-winning Raglan author Sarah Johnson will be visiting the libraries in Waikato district these school holidays for a series of author talks. She has been publishing her work for over a decade, and often collaborates with beloved kiwi illustrator Deborah Hinde to make her children’s books come to life. Johnson will be visiting Raglan, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Meremere libraries during her author talk tour. All events are free and open to the public.

Council reluctantly notifies district plan variation aimed at increasing housing density

A planned change to the Proposed Waikato District Plan, which will see more houses built faster in high-growth areas, has been formally notified and is now open for public submissions. Waikato District Council Mayor, Allan Sanson, says the situation that his council and others find themselves in is concerning and believes the Government are holding councils to ransom over this new legislation. Read more.

Waikato District Libraries takes top spot in international reading challenge

Waikato District Libraries has won the Beanstack Winter Reading Challenge, competing against seven districts across Australia and New Zealand for the top spot. The challenge, which asked participants to complete and log over 300 minutes of reading during the month of July, saw 13 of our library members read 21,591 minutes across the month. Read more.

Off-road drivers hinder conservation efforts at Lake Whangape

Four-wheel drive enthusiasts are being urged to stop driving on the shores of Lake Whangape, as they are contributing to the poor water quality of the second largest lake in the lower Waikato River basin.

Connecting our district to Auckland and Hamilton through rail

Upgrades to Raahui Pookeka | Huntly station enable connectivity between Hamilton and Auckland for residents of the Waikato district.

Smart libraries launch in Waikato district

A new self-checkout service is available at Waikato District Libraries, allowing quick and easy access to checkout and return library books and other items. Smart library technology allows a grab-n-go approach, enabling customers to check in and check out automatically when borrowing and returning items from their local library – no need for individual barcode scanning and checking out with library staff!

Council delays notifying district plan change to get it right for their communities

As many Tier One councils across the country continue to notify a change to their district plans that will allow for development under new Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), Waikato District Council is delaying notification as it carefully considers the specific requirements of its communities.

Waikato District Council candidates confirmed

A last-minute rush of nominations has meant that all but one community board in Waikato district has enough candidates for the 2022 Local Government elections. Candidate nominations for Waikato District Council closed on Friday, with 67 candidates putting their hands up to represent the district for the upcoming triennium. Four nominations were received for the position of Mayor, while 29 nominations were received for Councillor positions across the district, and 38 for community boards. Read more.

Milestone reached in return of Raglan Airfield land to rightful owners

Righting a wrong in our history was the theme behind a Waikato District Council decision regarding the Raglan Airfield land yesterday (15 August).

Council uses Government funding to upgrade and maintain three waters network

The govt's 3 Water Stimulus Package has funded $11 million of works across the wastewater, stormwater and water supply network.

Tighter restrictions for bottle stores in the Waikato district – tell us what you think