Keep up to date with current and upcoming road closures, roadworks, road reserve works, and emergency road status information in the Whakatāne District.
Heavy Rain Warning - 21-22 January
MetService New Zealand has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for our area, with a possibility that this may be upgraded. Weather event details »
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News
Council services availability - Auckland Anniversary 2026
Whakatāne District Council's main office 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.
Heavy Rain Warning - 21-22 January
MetService New Zealand has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for our area (21-22 January 2026), with a possibility that this may be upgraded.
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.
Council hears from volunteers eager to restore Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway
Whakatāne District Council has heard from volunteers who want to help restore the West End section of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway, demonstrating the connection the community has with this treasured track.
Volunteers presented their skills and dedication to the Council, showing their willingness to contribute toward bringing the walkway back to life.
The West End section of the walkway has been closed since a slip occurred following significant rainfall in 2022. A second slip in September 2023 further delayed reinstatement work and required additional investigation.
Local Growth Strategy charts a course for homes, jobs and environment
Whakatāne District Council is asking for community input into its Local Growth Strategy, after approving the draft for consultation at its meeting today.
Whakatāne District Mayor says rates capping well-intentioned but poorly thought out
Whakatāne District Mayor Nandor Tanczos says the Government’s announcement of a rates range, replacing the earlier proposal for a strict rates cap, is well intentioned but is likely to make things worse for ratepayers.
“We all want rates to go down, but what is being proposed is largely the same system that has failed across the Tasman, with pretty dire consequences for local communities in New South Wales and Victoria,” he says.
Joint statement from Eastern Bay Mayors on Simplifying Local Government announcement
As the Mayors of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, we acknowledge that change may be needed in how local government in Aotearoa New Zealand is organised, and we are willing to engage constructively in that discussion.
New rating revaluation shows dip in Whakatāne home and land values
Quotable Value’s three-yearly revaluation of the Whakatāne District shows Whakatāne home values dip by 2% while land values are down 9%. Property owners will soon receive a Notice of Rating Valuation in the post with an updated rating value for their property.
The new rating valuations have been prepared for 17,277 properties by Quotable Value (QV) on behalf of Whakatāne District Council. They show the total rateable value for the district is now $16.4 billion with the land value of those properties now valued at $8.3 billion.
Festive morning tea returns to celebrate Whakatāne District seniors
Whakatāne District Council is inviting our district’s seniors to join us for the annual Seniors' Morning Tea on Tuesday, 2 December, at the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, starting at 9:30 am.
Nominations open for 2026 Community Board By-Elections
These By-Elections follow insufficient nominations in the triennial elections held on 11 October 2025. While Jesse Morgan-Ranui was appointed as a Councillor, Toi ki Uta Māori Ward, one position remains vacant on the Murupara Community Board (Galatea-Waiōhau Subdivision) and three positions are unfilled on the Tāneatua Community Board.
Whakatāne District Council Annual Report 2024/25 adopted
Whakatāne District Council has adopted its audited Annual Report for the 2024/25 financial year at a Council meeting held on 19 November 2025.
Heavy Rain Warning - 19 November
An Orange Heavy Rain Warning is in place for Whakatāne District until 11pm tonight (Wednesday, 19 November).
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