Waikato Regional Council

17/06/2026

THANK YOU! 👏 It's Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu / National Volunteer Week and the perfect time for us to shine the spotlight on the amazing humans who make Coastcare possible.

At most beaches in the region, there is a group of volunteers working tirelessly to restore and protect the dunes, whether it's through planting native species, w**d control, trapping, or eco-sourcing seeds. Even showing up to a single planting event makes a real difference to our coasts and our taiao. Together, we can have a real impact - collectively, Coastcare volunteers gave over 2500 hours of mahi last year 🙌 We appreciate each and every one of you! 💙👏

1. The Karioi Project team at our 2025 Nukuhakari planting
2. Cooks Beach Dune Care collecting wiwi seeds for future planting
3. Planting with the Te Paerata Papakāinga whānau in Mōkau
4. Collecting kōwhangatara seeds at Ngārunui Beach in Raglan
5. The Pauanui Dune Protection Society's annual Plantathon
6. Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Pūaha o Waikato at their annual planting with Port Waikato Beachcare

Volunteering Waikato
Volunteering New Zealand

16/06/2026

Total Mobility changes from 1 July 2026

There are some changes to the Total Mobility scheme. These are part of a national update and will happen across New Zealand at the same time.

What’s changing:

- Your fare discount will change from 75% to 65%
- The maximum subsidy per trip will be $22.50 across the Waikato region

This means some trips may cost more, and others may cost less.

What stays the same:

✅ You can still use your Total Mobility card
✅ Your transport providers won’t change
✅ You can book trips the same way as now

Here’s an example:
If your trip costs $35, the scheme covers $22.50, and you pay $12.50.

If you’re unsure how this affects you, we’re here to help.

📲 Call 0800 205 305
📧 Email [email protected]

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4eLQ75w

14/06/2026

Did you know the Waikato region is home to over 94,000 hectares of kauri forests, including more than 20,000 hectares of precious old growth kauri? 🌱🌳

Recently, Matamata students had the opportunity to learn more about these incredible trees. The Waikato Regional Council’s kauri education team spent a week at Matamata Intermediate School, connecting with all 14 classes and some 400 students through an interactive kauri protection programme.

This hands-on experience plays an important role in helping young people build a meaningful connection with our native kauri. As Alana Howat, Waikato Regional Council’s Biosecurity Coordinator – Kauri Protection, explains:

“Through hands-on experiences seeing, touching, and learning about these ancient giants, students discover what makes kauri so special and why they need our protection.”

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4xsKCAd

12/06/2026

Mornings sure are getting chilly! 🌄❄️

That means winter planting season is here.

Have you considered pole planting to help erosion control?

While some highly erosion-prone areas are best retired and planted in natives, others can be managed with pole planting to reduce erosion risk while still supporting productive pasture grazing.

Poplar pole planting strengthens steep hillsides, reducing the loss of productive soils and the sedimentation of waterways.

Landowners in priority catchments may be eligible for up to 70% funding for hill country erosion control work on their property, through our partnership with MPI and the Waikato River Authority.

Want to know more?

Contact your local Waikato Regional Council catchment management officer on 0800 800 401.

10/06/2026

Fieldays 2026 is here! 🐮🌱

We’re inside The Pavilion at our usual spot – Site PE 36.

You can chat to our experts on everything from effluent management and pest control to erosion prevention and planting, or talk to councillors about the issues that mean most to you.

If you’re heading out to Fieldays this week, stop by for a chat 👋

08/06/2026

⚠️ Tsunami Update ⚠️

NZ Civil Defence is assessing whether the recent Philippines earthquake poses any tsunami threat to New Zealand.

Please see their post for details and go to www.civildefence.govt.nz for the most up to date information.

The Government has introduced an Emergency Management Bill to replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. Learn more about the Bill.

07/06/2026

If you’re heading to Fieldays this week, why not hop on a bus and enjoy the express route to Mystery Creek? 🚌⚡

There are free bus services and Park & Ride options on offer to make your journey easier.

To use the free BUSIT services during Fieldays, just present a valid Fieldays ticket to the bus driver.

Free buses 💸🚌

Catch a regional bus or Hamilton bus free to the Hamilton Transport Centre, and then a free bus out to Fieldays.

Regional buses include the services for Raglan, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Huntly, Taumarunui, Te Kūiti and Tokoroa.

Park & Ride 🚘➡️🚌

Free parking is available at the following locations, where you can catch a free bus directly to Fieldays and back.

📍 The Base (Te Rapa, Hamilton)

📍 Cambridge BMX Club (corner of Milton and Lamb St)

📍 Te Awamutu (i-SITE, Gorst Ave).

We look forward to seeing you at Fieldays 2026! You can find us inside The Pavilion at site PE 36.

You can find timetable details here: https://www.fieldays.co.nz/attend-fieldays/getting-to-fieldays

05/06/2026

It’s World Environment Day! 🎉🌏

Cleaner air means healthier people, healthier communities, and a healthier place to live.

And the encouraging news? Small actions can make a real difference.

As we head into winter, smoke from home heating can affect air quality.

So, while you’re keeping warm, here are a few simple ways to help protect the air we all share:
🔥Burn only dry, untreated wood
🔥Keep fires burning hot and efficiently
🔥Avoid unnecessary outdoor burning

The progress shown in LAWA’s air quality data reflects years of work by councils, communities, and households across our region, and that’s something we can all be proud of.

You can take a look at the data here: https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/air-quality

Thanks to everyone doing their bit to help keep our air clean, and Happy World Environment Day!

04/06/2026

The good news? It's Friday!

The bad news? A front with heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms is expected to move over the northern North Island this afternoon and evening. ⛈️🌧️🌩️

MetService New Zealand has issued Severe Thunderstorm and Heavy Rain Watches for much of our region.

The thunderstorms are expected to start between 3 PM and 8 PM but may linger until at least 9 PM in the Coromandel Peninsula.

The storms will bring heavy rain of 10-25 mm/h, strong wind gusts up to 100 km/h, and a low risk of a small tornado.

There is a moderate risk of localised downpours of 25-40mm/h between about 3pm and 8pm today.

Changes to the weather can happen quickly, so please keep up to date with MetService warnings here: https://bit.ly/3dglggB.

✅ Avoid driving through floodwaters and plan alternative routes if you live in a flood‑prone area.

✅ Contact local Civil Defence (or your council) if you observe any evidence of a landslip or flood impacts.

✅ Contact 111 if you are in immediate danger.

Our Regional Flood Response team continues to monitor forecasts and flood and drainage infrastructure, and will liaise closely with civil defence, local councils and other agencies if circumstances change.

All flood and drainage infrastructure is working as it should. Local flood response staff continue to monitor forecasts and assets to ensure a timely response, should it be required.

Visit our Flood Room for more information ➡️ https://bit.ly/3CxAwmL

04/06/2026

A Waihi dairy farmer has been convicted and fined $39,000 for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.

Read the media release here: https://bit.ly/4vqTrIT