Keep up to date with current and upcoming road closures, roadworks, road reserve works, and emergency road status information in the Whakatāne District.
News
Herepuru Road slip
Herepuru Road remains closed at the State Highway 2 end following a large slip that has made the road unsafe and impassable.
Last chance approaching for Youth Council applications
With just under two weeks left to apply, young people across the Whakatāne District who are passionate about making a difference in their communities are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Whakatāne District Youth Council.
Council identifies $1.35m in savings to get the books back in the black
Whakatāne District Council staff have identified approximately $1.35 million in potential cost savings to support the new Council’s efforts to eliminate a long standing operating deficit and ease pressure on rates. This is on top of savings already identified at the end of last year.
Chief Financial Officer, Paul Davidson, says prior to Christmas the Council gave staff a clear direction to leave no stone unturned in looking for further savings. The savings come from a combination of tighter operating costs and improved economic forecasts.
Council services availability - Waitangi Day 2026
Our main office will be closed Friday, 6 February 2026 in observance of Waitangi Day. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely.
Voting opens for 2026 Whakatāne District Community Board by-elections
Residents of the Murupara and Tāneatua communities are encouraged to keep an eye on their letterboxes, with voting packs for the 2026 Whakatāne District Community Board by-elections being delivered from today (Friday, 30 January 2026).
By-elections are being held for the Murupara Community Board – Galatea-Waiōhau Subdivision (one vacancy) and the Tāneatua Community Board (three vacancies). This follows the 2025 triennial elections, where insufficient nominations resulted in extraordinary vacancies.
Bike Month rolls into Whakatāne this February
Get ready to ride! February is Bike Month, and Whakatāne District Council is encouraging people across the district to get on their bikes and take part in a packed programme of community events.
Council shifts focus to supporting neighbours following severe weather
Whakatāne District Council’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has now stood down following around 24 hours of persistent, heavy rain across the district.
Council teams monitored conditions and responded to weather-related impacts overnight and into this morning, particularly in areas that experienced concentrated rainfall, including Matatā, Manawahe, and Awakaponga. Clean-up efforts and work to restore access are now underway in these areas following multiple slips.
Local Controller Mike Avery says that although the rain has eased, risks remain.
Council responds to impacts of prolonged wet weather
Whakatāne District Council teams kept abreast of weather-related impacts overnight and continue to respond this morning following around 24 hours of persistent wet weather across the district.
Whakatāne District Council activates Emergency Operations Centre due to severe weather
Whakatāne District Council has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 1pm today, in response to the severe weather affecting the Bay of Plenty.
Council services availability - Auckland Anniversary 2026
Whakatāne District Council's main offices will be closed Monday, 26 January 2026 in observance of Auckland Anniversary. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely.
Whakatāne riverfront set for revitalisation
The Whakatāne riverfront will undergo a spruce-up following the completion of Stages 1 and 2 of Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Project Future Proof.
Ōhope aims for Best Beach comeback
Ōhope Beach wants its crown back, and nominations for the Best Beach 2026 are now open.
The Whakatāne District favourite dominated the NZ Herald's Best Beach competition for three years straight, winning Best Family Beach from 2022-2024.
Last year, Northland's Waipu Cove took the crown, but Ōhope still ranked claiming silver in both Best Family Beach and Best Camping Beach.
Eight candidates step up for Community Board by-elections
Eight candidates have put their names forward to represent their communities in the Whakatāne District Council Community Board by-elections.
Nominations closed at noon today for the by-elections, which follow insufficient nominations at the triennial elections held on 11 October 2025.
Six candidates will contest three vacant positions on the Tāneatua Community Board:
Free summer fun brings whānau together at Whakatāne Library
The quiet rustle of turning pages. Little hands covered in glitter and glue. The chorus of giggles echoing through the children's section. This summer, Whakatāne Library is where holiday memories are made.
Community Board funding now open to boost community initiatives
The first round of the 2026 Community Board Discretionary Funds are now open, offering community groups and voluntary organisations the opportunity to apply for financial support across the Murupara, Rangitāiki, and Whakatāne-Ōhope areas.
Minimal nominations received as 2026 by-election deadline nears
With nominations closing in one week for two Whakatāne District Council community boards, only one nomination has been received so far.
Whakatāne District celebrates landmark Pekatahi Bridge decision
Cheers rang out across the district today as Minister of Transport Chris Bishop confirmed that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will be constructing a brand new, two-lane bridge on State Highway 2 near Tāneatua, replacing the ageing, problematic Pekatahi Bridge.
Long-awaited improvement works mark turning point for much-loved community hub
The Whakatāne War Memorial Hall (the Hall) is finally getting the attention the community has been asking for - with long-promised upgrades now underway and more significant improvements on the horizon.
Council directs staff to look for further savings in draft Annual Plan budget
The Whakatāne District Council today asked staff to look for cost reductions in the 2026/27 Annual Plan draft budget, on top of savings already identified, and present another version early next year.
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