Councillor Connect Forums

Past forums - community feedback received

TAUPŌ – 1 JULY – WAITAHANUI HALL

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• Environmental and climate impacts, individuals expressed interest in understanding Council's focus on ensuring our policy framework was agile to meet the needs of the increases of weather related incidents to best support our communities.
• Local Government Reform and Head Start Pathway – Discussions and questions about understanding the impact on rates, community services and levels of service, local share of voice and prioritisation including a greater understanding of the diverse needs of our communities. Council are continuing an in-depth analysis and assessment of options for reform which will be presented to our mayor and councillors at a public council meeting on 28 July. At the meeting, elected members will decide whether they want to put forward a Head Start proposal to Central Government by the 9 August deadline or wait for the Government’s Back Stop process instead.
• A request of the current listing of policies under reveiw was received by an individual member of the public and we will send that directly to her.
• Discussions were also raised around wet wipes and the impact to our wastewater pipe network, damage to road signage, roadside rubbish and the criticality of the volunteer army as organisations like TDC, Waka Kotahi etc reach budget tension and can no longer afford to support.
• Didymo Dave offered up his support to the community to close out further gaps in needs.

TAUPŌ – 5 MAY – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• People are concerned about the cost of rates. Council is not-for-profit and rates are set through the Long-Term Plan, which guides what we can and can’t fund.
• Concerns were raised about leaf drop and blocked stormwater drains, particularly around magnolia trees at Jarden Mile.
• There was interest in whether an accommodation bed tax could be an option for our district and what impact it might have.
• While people find our Contact Centre team helpful, some said it’s hard to know where to go or how to navigate the organisation.

What we’re looking into:

• We’re looking at how Council can better support community-led initiatives, and how we can work alongside residents to enable positive outcomes. This includes exploring ways to connect people with the right support, information and opportunities earlier and more easily.
• We’re continuing conversations and learning about short-term accommodation bed taxes, including what this could mean for our district and whether it’s something worth exploring further.
• The upcoming Long-term Plan consultation period is the ideal time for the community to get in contact and have their say about what services they use and what they want Council to focus on in future.

Past forums - community feedback received

KINLOCH – 2 JULY – KINLOCH HALL

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• Local Government Reform and Head Start Pathway – Discussions and questions about understanding the impact on rates, community services and levels of service, local share of voice and prioritisation including a greater understanding of the diverse needs of our communities. Council are continuing an in-depth analysis and assessment of options for reform which will be presented to our mayor and councillors at a public council meeting on 28 July. At the meeting, elected members will decide whether they want to put forward a Head Start proposal to Central Government by the 9 August deadline or wait for the Government’s Back Stop process instead.
• Long-term Plan – Discussions around rates capping, focus on core infrastructure including waters/roading legislative requirements.
• Kinloch low zone reservoir project - The reservoir is planned to be constructed below the lookout, and the lookout will remain in place. The team is currently working through the final stages of the land reclassification process (legal steps). Alongside this, our teams are working through the site designation, the tender and design package is in review. Visual elements will be brought to the community for feedback in the near future. We are aiming to have the contract awarded within the next six months and anticipate the project will be completed about 12 months after that.
• Water fountain information - reserves management team have confirmed the below location and can provide a letter confirming the approval of installation of a community-funded water fountain. Quote for Mountain Fresh Mount Te Aroha drinking water fountain is $4,367.63 plus GST and installation. Community requested TDC to gain a full quote including installation so they can formulate a joint approach.
• District-wide Reserve Management Plan - Council officers will bring an engagement plan to the next Regulatory Committee meeting on 21 July for its consideration and endorsement. Outcome from this meeting will be communicated.
• Transport discussion - Roger Stokes, infrastructure manager, was in attendance to support this discussion. Roger shared updates on the workplan for 2026-27:
  • A section of Whangamata Road near Otake Road has 50kmhr speed restrictions until the weather warms back up again when our contractor will fix the seal stripping at no cost to council.
  • This financial year will see entry thresholds with speed limit signage installed on Whangamata Road in place of the existing 60kmhr signage towards Taupō town. Larger signage will be placed on the western approach to Kinloch.
  • There is further significant funding for widening/ safety improvements on Whangamata and Poihipi roads which will be completed this financial year.
  • There will be a new footpath constructed on the western side of Kinloch Road from opposite Gibbs Place up to Lisland Drive.
  • A pedestrian refuge on Kinloch Road outside the commercial centre - to be built by the developer.
  • Bus stop signage will be placed on Kinloch Road opposite the commercial centre.
  • Bike Taupō is installing a Locky Dock bike parking facility near the main beach.
• A thank you was shared to TDC parks team for their mahi around the Seven Oaks gardens and the wider support of the community team.

KINLOCH – 14 MAY – KINLOCH HALL

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• Amalgamation: Limited detail and no clear timeframe from Central Government. Status quo not seen as an option; Council is exploring future options with the community.
• Community opportunities: Strong support for the community to come together, with community-led planning seen as key.
• Joint Management Agreement: Workshops underway, with work restarted to ensure a clear and transparent decision-making process.
• Long Term Plan: Interest in current Kinloch projects and how the community can support priorities into the next Long-term plan.
• Rates: Discussion on the 6.6% increase and wider cost-of-living pressures.
• Erosion control: Strong environmental focus raised; this will be escalated to Waikato Regional Council.
• Dark Sky Reserve: Interest in exploring this opportunity and whether it aligns with future plans.
• Development contributions: Questions on how they are collected and used, with a focus on supporting growth, reserves, and infrastructure.

What we’re looking into:

• Kinloch projects in the Long-term Plan (LTP) – community requested a listing of the Kinloch related projected in the current LTP to be made available.
• Have the Transport/Roading team attend to support discussion on: Whangamata and Oakdale Roads, speed, signage, road conditions and bus safety crossings
• Provide project updates on the Loch Eagles Water Reservoir project, the Reserve Management Plan review and provide a status update on the water fountain.

TAUPŌ EAST WARD – 13 MAY – WAIRAKEI SCHOOL HALL

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• Wairakei Community Group:Shared their vision for a safe, vibrant and resilient community, along with work underway on a community-led plan, projects (including Matariki event). They’re keen to build stronger collaboration.
• Long-term Plan:Discussion on budget pressures, including what Council could stop, delay or start, and how priority projects (like the Control Gate pathway) can still progress.
• Amalgamation:Strong concerns about maintaining local voice. Councillors noted the short Head Start timeframe and the need to actively explore options.
• Transport and safety:Advocacy needed with Waka Kotahi around safety entering and exiting the village, including truck parking, visibility and speed. Potential collaboration with Bike Taupō on cycleways was raised.
• Tree fall (Cyclone Gabrielle):Ongoing safety concerns. Noted much of the surrounding land is managed by NZTA and LINZ, highlighting the need for clear ownership and coordination, with Council supporting where possible.
• Lake Taupō Protection Trust:Update shared with elected members and discussion around potential funding available for research projects.

What we’re looking into:

• Tennis court area:Safety concerns raised, escalated to teams internally to resolve asap
• Wairakei Community Group is seeking updates from TDC on previous LTP actions – on next run sheet for July Hui

Past forums - community feedback received

TE PAPAMAREAREA – 6 JULY – TOKAANU MARAE

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• Update on the Tūrangi wharepaku project – next steps include demolision of current building, replacement modulars are being built offside so will be brought down once site is ready and installed. Project is on track due to be in place by December, TDC understands the frustration on the time its taken but appreciates the community support.
• Councillors were asked to explain the justification for the 6.6% rates increase and what reductions were put into place: regulatory requirements regarding waters, depreciation and inflation are the biggest drivers of rates increases, with Council having to remove/push out at least four projects from this year's Annual Plan in order to get the increase down to 6.6%
• Local economic support – understanding the current financial climate, what is Council doing to increase support for local families: local first procurement approach was explained, levers used like our community team, events driving spend in the district and increasing pathways for rangitahi. Tūrangi Community Gardens creating community kai options – further opportunities to be highlighted over the coming weeks.
• Local Government Reform and Head Start Pathway – Discussions and questions about understanding the impact on rates, community services and levels of service, local share of voice and prioritisation including a greater understanding of the diverse needs of our communities. Council are continuing an in-depth analysis and assessment of options for reform which will be presented to our mayor and councillors at a public council meeting on 28 July. At the meeting, elected members will decide whether they want to put forward a Head Start proposal to Central Government by the 9 August deadline or wait for the Government’s Back Stop process instead.
• Head Start Pathway discussion also included the importance of ongoing Māori representation in Local Government, we must take steps to protect the taiao and whenua and continue to develop existing relationships.

TE PAPAMAREAREA – 12 MAY – NUKUHAU MARAE

What we heard at the Councillor Connect Forum:

• The importance of the Maori Ward Councillors for the Taupō District, supporting Tangata whenua and also the values they bring to the wider community.
• Requests that the wastewater future plans for Nukuhau include the Cultural Impact Assessment.
• Questions around dog control legislation and the accountability processes on Taupō District Council to abide by them.
• Discussion about the Local Government amalgamation via the Head Start Pathway and the potential impacts to Taupō District Council and the community.