Find out what’s planned for the Kaimai Ward
Want to know more about key topics such as the SH2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade, Te Puna/Lochhead/Pitua/Tangitu roundabout, and Te Puna Station Road intersection improvements? Join the one-on-one kōrero (conversation) with project leads and Kaimai Ward Councillors.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is hosting a Community Forum Expo on Wednesday 7 May, at Te Puna School Hall from 7-9pm, providing the opportunity for people to connect with Ward Councillors Tracey Coxhead, Don Thwaites, Murray Grainger, and Margaret Murray-Benge.
This is one of several Community Forum Expos across the rohe offering the community a direct line into the decisions and developments shaping their neighbourhoods.
Council first introduced Community Forums in 2023 as a way for people to meet their local representatives in an informal setting.
An expo-style format was trialled last year in Te Puke, where people could explore project hubs around the room. The format proved successful, with valuable feedback received from the community, and is now being rolled out across the rohe.
“There is plenty happening within our Kaimai District. With the Kaimai Reserve Management Plan and Local Water Done Well. We would like to answer any questions you may have about these or other matters concerning you. We look forward to seeing you there,” says Tracey Coxhead, Kaimai Ward Councillor.
These forums will also give people an opportunity to lodge service requests with the customer services team and learn about key topics including the upcoming Elections, community funding and grants, kerbside recycling, and emergency management, with the opportunity to experience a natural hazard simulation through VR goggles.
Council kicked off the first community expo of 2025 at Pātuki Manawa for the Katikati-Waihī Beach ward, on Wednesday 9 April.
“It was a great success. Those attending the Expo welcomed the opportunity to learn specific details of current projects and those planned in the 2025-2026 Annual plan for our Ward.
“One factor I attribute to the Expo’s success was the availability of staff who were working within the community on our current and upcoming project developments for Katikati and Waihī Beach,” says Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward Councillor, Anne Henry.
“These expos are really valuable for our residents to understand what Council is up to in their area. We received feedback from the 50 or so residents who attended the Katikati event,” says Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward Councillor Rodney Joyce.
If you’d like to stay in the loop, head to Council’s Facebook page to register as ‘interested’ or ‘going’ on Council’s Community Expo events to receive reminder notifications the week leading up to the forum. https://www.facebook.com/westernbaycouncil/
Key projects | Consultation items | Other |
SH2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade | Kaimai Draft Reserve Management Plan | Service requests and general enquiries |
Ōmokoroa Urbanisation projects | Emergency Management | |
Te Puna Road/Te Puna Station Road Intersection Improvement | Elections 2025 | |
Te Puna/Lochhead/Pitua/Tangitu Roundabout | Kerbside education | |
Minden Lookout and Waitui seawall | Funding and Grants | |
Pest Free Parks |
Key community projects are highlighted on Council’s ‘Your Place Tō wāhi’ website (yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz), which is updated regularly to keep the community informed.
https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/hub-page/omok...
https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/hub-page/te-p...
https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/hub-page/whak...
