September TCC Meeting Highlights -Tamahere’s Future Takes Centre Stage

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Tamahere’s long-term future, Council investment, development pressure and critical infrastructure dominated the September meeting of the Tamahere Community Committee.

The September 1 meeting brought together TCC members, local residents, Waikato District councilors Crystal Beavis and Mike Keir, Mayor Aksel Bech, Council staff and community representatives.

Vision Tamahere 2075 moves forward

The most significant decision was unanimous support for Vision Tamahere 2075 and a formal request for $60,000 + GST from Waikato District Council to fund professional planning work.

Stage One will focus on Tamahere’s priorities for the next three years, while Stage Two will look towards 2075 and broaden the planning area to include Ngāti Hauā, Matangi and parts of Tauwhare.

The timing is important. Council is preparing its 2027 Long Term Plan (LTP) and a community Open Day/workshop is proposed on Sunday October 18th, to ensure local priorities are identified early enough to influence that process.

TCC Chair Charles Fletcher told the meeting Tamahere had contributed approximately $35 million in rates over the past three years, with another $40 million expected over the next three. He contrasted that $75 million contribution with around $1.2 million in capital spending back into Tamahere, alongside core Council services.

Development pressure intensifies

The meeting heard that Waikato District has the largest number of Fast Track applications in New Zealand, with almost half the districts applications located within the Woodlands–Tamahere Ward.

The concern is major developments could be considered individually without a unified plan for the wider area's future, strengthening the case for Vision Tamahere 2075.

Roads and Southern Links

Southern Links, network resilience, Narrows Bridge and safety around the Pencarrow Road/Airport Road intersection remain priorities in discussions with NZTA. A meeting has subsequently been had with the NZTA which will be reported on at a later time.

The Tamahere Drive upgrade is scheduled for January–March 2027, while discussions continue around retaining the bus stop outside Tamahere Country Club.

SNAs, the Piazza and Tamahere Park

Concerns were also raised about Significant Natural Areas and the Tamahere Gully ecological corridor, particularly communication with affected landowners and potential impacts on property rights.

TCC also wants obstacles to community use of the Tamahere Piazza resolved after Lions found Council requirements made staging a proposed event impractical. At Tamahere Recreation Park, playground shading and delivery of the new toilet block remain outstanding.

Now is the time to have your say

The common thread is increasingly clear: growth, roads, reserves, storm-water, development and Council investment cannot be planned independently of one another.

Vision Tamahere 2075 and the 2027 LTP provide an opportunity for residents to help determine what happens next and what share of future Council investment comes back into this rapidly changing community.

The next TCC meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 6.

Read the full September TCC minutes