Summer is just around the corner, with pools opening, community projects getting underway and plenty of opportunities to have your say. In this issue, find out what’s happening across the district, get ready for the Labour Day long weekend and discover ways to stay safe and get involved in your community. Here’s the latest from around Hauraki.
Labour Day: Service hours and collection changes
A friendly reminder: we’re taking a break this Labour Day.
All our service centres and libraries will be closed on Monday, 26 October, for the public holiday, reopening as usual on Tuesday.
A few things to keep in mind:
Kerbside collections: Collections will be one day later than usual. Please have your food scraps and rubbish bins out by 7:30 am on collection day.
Refuse Transfer Stations: Our Waihī and Paeroa sites are open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am–4 pm, and closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Library books: You can still return books using our after-hours return slots.
We hope you enjoy the long weekend, take some time to relax and make the most of the extra day.
For any urgent issues, phone on 07 862 8609 or freephone 0800 734 834. You can also report any non-urgent issues through Antenno or report them here online.
Two more chances to come along and kōrero
There are still two chances to connect with your Councillors, catch up on what’s happening in your community and have a kōrero about the things that matter to you.
Plains Ward
Wednesday 28 October 2026 | 5:30–7 pm | Kaiaua Community Hall
Waihī Ward
Thursday 12 November 2026 | 5:30–7 pm | Waihī Memorial Hall
Come along for a kōrero about the things that matter to you and your community. There’ll be a range of local topics to discuss and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and share your thoughts.
Know someone who’d like to come along? Pass this on and spread the word.
The more kōrero, the better.
DIVE IN! Paeroa Pool opens Saturday 31 October
Summer is nearly here, Hauraki! We're thrilled to announce that Paeroa Swimming Pool will be opening its gates on Saturday 31 October 2026, just in time for those warm days ahead.
Whether you're planning family fun, fitness laps, or just a refreshing dip after work, our pool is ready to welcome you back for another fantastic season.
Opening hours, admission charges, and pool facilities information is available on our website.
Save money this summer - Grab a seasonal pass or concession card when you visit. Perfect for regular fitness swimmers and anyone planning to make a splash all season long.
And mark your calendars. Ngātea Pool will be opening soon after on Saturday 14 November, more details coming soon.
See you poolside!
Paeroa's Railway Reserve gets a slam dunk upgrade!
We're about to tip off something special at the Railway Reserve in Paeroa with our new D-shaped basketball court, and we couldn't be more pumped!
This is something our local kura told us was really important to them, and we've been listening. So it's time to take our shot!
This project will happen in two parts: first, the court construction; then, after the concrete cures, we'll install the hoop and line markings. Work starts on Wednesday 28 October and should take about 10 days.
Before you load up the trailer and head to our Waihī or Paeroa Refuse Transfer Station, check that your vehicle number plate is registered.
Hauraki District residents and ratepayers can receive discounted in-district gate fees and charges with a registered vehicle.
If you haven’t registered yet, or you’ve got a new vehicle, now’s a good time to get it sorted before your next trip.
Registration is free. Allow three working days for your details to update.
Need a hand? Pop into one of our Service Centres or give us a call on 07 862 8609 or 0800 734 834.
Missed the open days? Help shape our adaption pathways
If you couldn't make it to our October events, you can still review the draft adaptation pathways and tell us what you think — but we need to hear from you by 31 October.
Your Community Panel has created a shortlist of what adaptation options might work where across the Plains, and when we’ll do them.
Now we need the wider community to weigh in: Which pathways make sense for your area? What should we prioritise first? What concerns do you have?
The online survey walks you through the same draft pathways and flood modelling results we shared at the open days. Your responses will directly inform which options get prioritised, where, and when.
Did you know you can recycle batteries, vapes and other electronic waste (e-waste) at our Paeroa and Waihī Refuse Transfer Stations?
Recycling these items helps protect our staff, community and environment. Batteries can cause serious fires when crushed in rubbish collection trucks or at landfill.
Lots of common household items contain batteries that are easy to miss, like toys, tools, vapes and power banks, and anything using AA, AAA, and button batteries.
Before disposing of these items, remove any batteries you can, and tape the ends of loose batteries to help prevent sparks.
Drop them off at our Paeroa or Waihī Refuse Transfer Stations. You can also drop it off at our service centres (up to 1kg of household batteries)
New trading spots up for grabs: are you a mobile food operator?
For the first time, Hauraki District Council is opening up designated mobile trading spots at two of the district's best-loved reserves (the Karangahake Recreation Reserve and the Ōhinemuri Reserve next to the famous L&P bottle).
As part of a new economic development pilot, we're inviting mobile food and beverage businesses (think coffee carts, food trucks and trailers) to register their interest in trading from these locations between December 2026 and June 2027.
It's a low-commitment opportunity to reach a brand-new customer base, with thousands of locals and visitors passing through both sites each year.
We have one spot per location available.
Expression of interest closes on 5 November 2026, 5 pm.
Author & illustrator, Robyn Tucker, will be holding two events this month at Paeroa and Hauraki Plains Libraries!
Join us at: Paeroa Library on TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER from 10:30am and Hauraki Plains Library on WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER from 10:30am.
Enjoy a reading of Robyn’s latest book, ‘How Wishbone Got His Name’, grab your very own copy and have it signed by Robyn herself! School groups and ECE groups are very welcome to attend!
To stay up to date with library news make sure to sign up to their newsletter here.
Take care on the roads
With Labour Day weekend coming up, many of us will be heading away, visiting whānau or making the most of a little extra time off.
Wherever you're off to, take a few minutes to plan your trip before you go.
Check the NZTA Journey Planner here for predicted traffic, roadworks, closures and delays, and allow extra time to get where you're going.
A few simple reminders for a safer trip:
Drive to the conditions and stick to the speed limits.
Put your phone away and stay focused.
Wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.
Take regular breaks, and don't drive if you're tired.
Be patient, keep a safe following distance and give other road users space.
A little planning and patience can make all the difference.
Take care, look out for each other and enjoy the long weekend.