On the Radar is your fortnightly hub for essential information, updates and reminders. In this edition, Fast-track approvals, water transitions milestones and lane use improvements submission
Community services
Libraries
Cambridge Library will be closed on Wednesday, March 25 to allow staff to carry out a major clean-out of back offices and storage areas, as well as a review (or “weeding”) of the library collection.
The work will help create a safer and more functional workspace for staff, particularly in areas that are currently congested. It will also allow staff to review library materials in line with library best practice, deciding whether items should be retained, replaced, or removed from the collection.
Regularly reviewing a library collection helps identify items that are:
- worn or damaged beyond repair
- unused, inaccurate, or no longer relevant
- superseded by newer editions or better resources
The closure date has been carefully chosen to avoid the busy school holiday period and scheduled programmes, helping to minimise disruption for library users.
Library users and the wider community will be advised of the closure.
Park Operations
Fountain at Te Awamutu Rose Gardens.
Damage to the fountain.
Over the past eight weeks, the Parks Operations team has carried out significant repairs to the water fountain at Te Awamutu Rose Gardens. The fountain, designed by the late Fred Graham, was initially damaged in what was likely an attempt to remove metal for profit. Repairs cost more than $6000.
Despite using basic galvanised pipe to reduce the risk of further theft, staff identified new damage last week. As a precaution, the remaining nozzle has now been removed, and staff are working with local contractors to identify more secure, durable options to help prevent further vandalism.
Community Assets
Minor renewal works at Albert Park, Te Awamutu, are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 7.
The programme includes:
- Replacement of railings and bollards along Albert Park Drive
- Safety and security upgrades to the upper carpark and entrance areas
- Refurbishment of the gates at the Sculpture Park
- Restoration of the decorative gates at the intersection of Park Road and Albert Park Drive
The decorative gates at Park Road and Albert Park Drive will remain in their current locations.
To minimise disruption to sporting activities, work will be coordinated with Te Awamutu Sports Club and will be completed by 3pm each Thursday. Staff have also met with all park stakeholders to inform them of the upcoming works.
Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum
Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum celebrated its fourth annual Tui & Tama Eco Expo on Saturday, February 28. For the first time, this free, family-friendly event was held in partnership with Te Awamutu Library in Te Puna Kōrero Community Room. The venue’s connection to the library and Event Centre helped make the event a success, attracting 241 visitors.
Local community groups presented at the event, including Council’s Waste Management team and Smart Water, showcasing their work to increase biodiversity and preserve resources.
Both visitors and presenters commented on the meaningful interactions they experienced during this year’s Eco Expo, with plans already underway to expand to a larger venue next year.
Heritage Fund Round 26
The Heritage Fund has $35,000 available for allocation across two rounds each year.
Round 26 closed on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and received three applications.
The Heritage Sub-group Committee, consisting of Councillors Taylor and Gordon, assessed the applications along with staff recommendations. All three applicants were successful and received funding:
- Aroha Cambridge – to purchase traps for expanding pest management efforts in and around Cambridge
- Cambridge Repertory Society – for repairs to the Gaslight Theatre roof
- Cambridge Bowling Club – for painting an exterior staircase/fire egress
Successful applicants have 12 months to complete their projects, which are reviewed by staff before the funding is released.
Round 27 is currently open and will close on Tuesday, June 30, with further promotion planned in the coming months.
Ka Whawhai Tonu costume acquisition
Following the successful pop-up exhibition at the Rickit Road space from October 2024 to May 2025, Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu has secured the Ka Whawhai Tonu Mātou – Struggle Without End film costumes and memorabilia as a permanent part of the museum collection.
The exhibition highlights the intricate costume work of Te Ura Taripo-Hoskins and on-set photography by Cinzia Jonathan, connecting contemporary filmmaking with Waipā’s 1863–64 Land Wars history. The display drew strong interest from schools, with many responding positively to seeing the film’s story within its broader historical context.
After the closure of the Rickit Road site, the museum began discussions with Hikoi Ltd regarding a long-term loan or gift. The items have now been gifted to the museum, allowing staff to fully archive, care for, and continue sharing the story. The costumes are now on permanent display, supported by a digital story exploring the film’s historical context and creative legacy.
The legal transfer followed museum best practice and was endorsed by Te Awamutu Museum Trust Board.
Legal
The Ombudsman has published the latest six-monthly LGOIMA complaints data for Local Authorities. The information below is from July 1 to December 31, 2025 and was published by the Ombudsman yesterday, March 12.
Further for your information, Council currently has no active Ombudsman complaints (LGOIMA or otherwise).
For further details, please visit the website of the Office of the Ombudsman.
District Planning
Fast-track Approvals Act 2024
The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 establishes a permanent fast-track approvals process for projects of national and regional significance.
The system acts as a “one-stop shop” for:
- resource consents
- notices of requirement
- certificates of compliance under the Resource Management Act 1991
- approvals required under several other pieces of legislation.
When the Act came into force, 149 projects across the country were automatically listed, including three in the Waipā District. These listed projects can move directly to submitting a substantive application. Any new projects must first go through a referral application process to be accepted into the fast-track system.
Since the Act came into effect, two additional referral applications have been approved for projects in Waipā:
- Rogerson Block – an industrial and residential development at 293 Tuhikaramea Road, bordering Hamilton City and partly within Strategic Land Area 1 (SL1).
- Harlow Lifestyle Village – a proposed retirement village at 2025 Ōhaupō Road, on the outskirts of Te Awamutu.
The Rogerson Block project will be project managed through the Future Proof partnership, due to the interrelationships between Waipā District Council, Hamilton City Council, NZTA and Waikato Regional Council.
At this stage, there is no confirmed timing for when substantive applications will be lodged for these projects.
More information on fast-track projects can be found on the EPA fast-track website:
Tokanui / Mokoroa Site Remediation
Resource consents were granted in November last year for demolition, site remediation works and landfill upgrades at the former Tokanui Hospital site, near 149 Te Mawhai Road, Tokanui.
Going forward, the site will be known as Mokoroa, the original name of the pā.
The land is a deferred selection property under the Ngāti Maniapoto Deed of Settlement and forms part of the Maniapoto Settlement Claims Act 2022, which gives effect to that deed.
Under the settlement, Ngāti Maniapoto and the Crown agreed to a process that involves:
- demolishing the former hospital facilities
- rehabilitating the land
- then offering the site to the Ngāti Maniapoto Post-Settlement Governance Entity, Te Nehenehenui Trust, for purchase.
A karakia and cultural induction for contractors was held in February, marking the start of remediation works.
District Plan
Plan Changes 14 (Hautapu C10) and 33 (Hautapu Area 7)
Both plan changes, which rezone land at Hautapu for industrial purposes, are now operative. The changes have been incorporated into the Waipā District ePlan.
Plan Change 25 – Shelterbelts and Artificial Crop Protection Structures
The submission period closed on February 20. A total of 19 submissions were received from a range of organisations and individuals, including:
- Raukawa Charitable Trust
- Federated Farmers
- New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers
- Horticulture New Zealand
- Powerco
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand
- several individual landowners
The next step is to prepare and publicly notify a summary of submissions, followed by a call for further submissions.
Plan Change 37 – Cambridge C5 Growth Cell (Rider Park)
This proposed private plan change will be publicly notified for submissions on Thursday, March 26.
Alongside the formal notification process, staff are working to ensure clear communication to the Cambridge community about:
- the submission closing date, and
- how people can access the information and make submissions.
Building Consent Authority (BCA) Audit Update
As a Building Consent Authority (BCA), Waipā District Council must meet a range of legislative and accreditation requirements to ensure it is operating in line with the Building Act, particularly in relation to public health and building safety. These requirements include staff competency, systems, and process management.
To monitor compliance, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment engages the International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) to carry out regular assessment audits of BCAs. The frequency of audits is based on risk, with higher-risk organisations assessed more often.
IANZ assessors conducted a three-day audit at Waipā District Council from September 23–26 2025, following the previous assessment in August 2024.
Six general non-compliances were identified during the audit and have since been resolved.
On February 5 2026, IANZ confirmed that Waipā District Council remains accredited as a Building Consent Authority and is considered low risk. As a result, the next assessment is scheduled for September 2027, the maximum interval of two years between audits.
A full report will be presented to the Risk and Assurance Committee in June.
Transport
Lane Use Improvements – NZTA Consultation
Staff intend to make a submission to the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) on its Lane Use Improvements consultation document. Submissions close on Wednesday, March 25.
Due to the timing, there is not an opportunity to obtain Committee approval before the submission deadline. It is therefore proposed that retrospective approval will be sought.
NZTA is proposing changes to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule to improve the safe and efficient use of lanes and better align the rules with how people currently travel.
The proposed changes include:
- allowing children aged 12 and under to ride bikes on footpaths
- introducing a minimum passing gap when vehicles pass other road users
- allowing e-scooters to use cycle lanes
- requiring drivers to give way to buses pulling out from bus stops
- clarifying signage requirements for enforcing berm parking restrictions
Staff propose to:
- strongly support proposals 1–5, and
- include an additional request relating to proposal 1: That children should not ride on a footpath where there is an adjacent protected cycleway available for use.
If there are any significant concerns about the proposed submission, please contact Eeva-Liisa Wright by Wednesday, March 18.
Lane use improvement consultation document
Road renewals
Roads to be resealed around the district over the next two weeks:
- Allen Road
- Alexandra Street
- Cambridge Road (Cambridge)
- Cambridge Road (Te Awamutu)
- Te Pahu Road
- Wharepapa South Road
- Whitmore Street
- Lochiel Road
- Meadway Road
- Roche Street
- Te Mawhai Road
Strategy
Legislation tracker
We actively monitor legislation changes and wider Central Government reform – and the impact on Council. We aim to keep Elected Members across these changes, their progress, and Council submissions.
The tables below provide updates from the last two weeks.
| Item | Description | Stage |
| Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill | This Bill will change the Health and Safety at Work Act,
the WorkSafe New Zealand Act, and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk
and Workplace Management) Regulations. The key changes will include:
| Upcoming Bill introduced First Reading Select Committee (including submission period) Second Reading Committee of the Whole House Third Reading Royal Assent Estimate of when Bill will receive Royal Assent: 2026 Impact on Council
|
| Proposed changes to police powers to issue move-on orders | The Government is proposing changes to the Summary
Offences Act to give Police the power to issue move-on orders in public places. The proposed changes include:
| Upcoming Bill introduced First Reading Select Committee (including submission period) Second Reading Committee of the Whole House Third Reading Royal Assent Estimate of when Bill will receive Royal Assent: 2026 Impact on Council Police will enforce this change. Council will work in partnership with police where appropriate. |
Proposed changes to alcohol
licensing and sales rules/ The Sale and
Supply of Alcohol (Participation in Licensing Decisions) Amendment Bill | The Government is proposing changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. The proposed changes will include:
| Upcoming Bill introduced First Reading Select Committee (including submission period) Second Reading Committee of the Whole House Third Reading Estimate of when Bill will receive Royal Assent: 2026 Impact on Council
|
| Sale and Supply of Alcohol (sale of Alcohol on the morning of Anzac Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill | This member's Bill proposes changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow licensed businesses already permitted to open on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under their usual licence conditions. | Upcoming Bill introduced First Reading Select Committee (including submission period) Second Reading Committee of the Whole House Third Reading Estimate of when Bill will receive Royal Assent: before Easter Impact on Council Some changes to council processes. |
Open for submissions Relevant items that are currently open for submission or coming up | |||
Item | Description | Submission status | Closing date |
Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill | The Bill proposes changes to the Health and Safety at Work framework to focus duties on critical risks, reduce compliance requirements for businesses with fewer than 20 workers, avoid duplication where other laws manage the same risks, and strengthen approved codes of practice so following them counts as meeting legal duties | Not submitting | March 18 |
Proposed changes to lane use and road safety | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is proposing updates to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule to improve lane safety and efficiency. See Transportation page for more details. | TBC | March 25 |
| Progress tracker Status updates on relevant items as they progress past submissions | |||
| Item name | Description | Council response | Status |
| The Bill amends the Local Government Act to refocus councils on delivering core infrastructure and services, while removing references to the four aspects of community well-being. It also introduces new financial management and performance frameworks, reduces regulatory requirements, and gives the Secretary for Local Government authority to issue codes of conduct and standing orders for elected members. | Submitted on August 27 | Expected to be completed in the week of March 30 | |
| Proposals to control rate rises and introduce rate capping | The Government will introduce a rates cap limiting most council rate increases to 2–4% per capita annually, covering general and targeted rates but excluding water and non-rates revenue, with any increases above the cap requiring central Government approval. | Submitted | Submissions closed February 4 |
| This Bill will strengthen community and iwi Māori involvement, makes mayors primarily responsible for local emergency declarations, requires better identification of high-risk communities, and allows the Minister to set national rules and minimum standards for emergency management. | Submitting as part of Waikato CDEM | Submissions closed February 15 | |
| Together, these Bills will replace the Resource Management Act and establish a new planning and natural environment framework governing land use, development, and environmental protection. They introduce simplified activity categories and a permit system, combined regional plans with environmental limits, clearer roles for regional and territorial authorities, and requirements to balance environmental regulation with landowners’ reasonable use of land. | Submitted | Select Committee report due June 26. | |
| This Bill will amend the Building Act and Building (Dam Safety) Regulations by replacing earthquake ratings with tiered risk-based mitigation requirements, narrowing the earthquake-prone building system to high-risk buildings in medium and high seismic zones, removing low-risk areas and building types from the regime, allowing longer compliance extensions, and reclassifying parts of Otago and Stewart Island as medium seismic zones. | Did not submit | Submissions closed February 16 | |
| Simplifying Local Government / Proposed changes to regional councils and local government structure | The Government is proposing reforms to the local government system alongside its resource management changes, including abolishing elected regional councils and replacing them with Combined Territories Boards made up of regional mayors. These Boards would oversee regional planning, infrastructure, and environmental management, and be required to develop reorganisation plans that could include shared services, council mergers, or restructuring into unitary authorities. |
| Submissions closed February 20 |
| Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill – Development levies | The Government is proposing to replace development contributions with a new development levies system through the draft Local Government (Infrastructure Funding) Amendment Bill. The new system would separate levies by infrastructure type, define larger levy areas, allow extra charges in high-cost locations, and require a standardised methodology for calculating growth-related infrastructure costs. | Submitted | Submissions closed February 20 |
| Hospitality sector review | Review covers regulation affecting, restaurants, bars, cafés, food stalls at markets, food trucks, catering businesses and hotels. Gambling regulations are out of scope. | Early expert feedback provided | Early feedback closed February 11. |
Media releases
Media releases
Media clippings
March 3 - 10
Temporary fix for Pirongia
Te Awamutu News • Chris Gardner • Internet • 06 Mar 2026, 2:21 pm
A watertight deal signed
Te Awamutu News • Chris Gardner • Internet • 05 Mar 2026, 8:20 pm
It's in the bag…Judy gets help
Cambridge News • Chris Gardner • Internet • 05 Mar 2026, 9:10 am
Forum missed Maori angle
Cambridge News • Mary Anne Gill • Internet • 05 Mar 2026, 6:05 am
In Brief: Government gives $100k to Waikato Mayoral Relief Funds after storm
Waikato Times • Internet • 05 Mar 2026, 2:12 am
Boost for storm funds
Waikato Times • Newspaper • 05 Mar 2026, 12:00 am
It's damage control
King Country News • Jon Rawlinson Chris Gardner • Newspaper • 05 Mar 2026, 12:00 am
Govt announces $830,000 boost to Mayoral Relief funds
Inside Government NZ • Kelly Nealon • Internet • 03 Mar 2026, 2:39 pm
More funding for weather hit communities
Beehive.govt.nz • Internet • 03 Mar 2026, 2:08 pm
