Tarawera Ultra Marathon - Tarawera Falls Permits and Freedom Camping
Due to the Tarawera Ultra Marathon on Saturday, 14 February, permits for Tarawera Falls will not be issued on that day. The permits will resume as usual on Sunday, 15 February.
Freedom Camping will not be permitted at Firmin Lodge from midday on Friday, 13 February, to midday on Saturday, 14 February 2026, to allow event organisers to set up.
Permits are available on weekends and public holidays due to health and safety concerns with logging in the Tarawera Forest.
Rates notices, were sent out on Friday, due 23 February 2026!
Due to an internal error, some rates invoices that are normally sent by mail have instead been sent via email. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. If you do not receive your rates by this Friday, 30 January 2026, you may be impacted by this issue, if so, or if you want to change how you receive your rates, please contact Council via:
- Phone 07 306 9009
- Email info@kaweraudc.govt.nz
- or come into Council and talk to one of our friendly Customer Service Representatives.
If you have set up a direct debit for your rates, the direct debit payment will go out on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Rates are due for payment by 5pm, Friday 20 February 2026. Penalties for unpaid rates will be applied from Monday 23 February 2026.
Ngā mihi.
Alcohol Public Notice - Kawerau Golf and Squash Club
Restricted Fire Season effective 5pm 13 January 2026
A restricted fire season is in place across the Bay of Plenty region effective 5pm, 13 January 2026.
Permits must be sought from Fire Emergency New Zealand to light fires. For more information, please visit Check Its Alright
Further information and advice about fires here
Call 111 to report any fires or emergencies.
Attention Kawerau mobile traders and event holders!
When trading in our district, please refrain from nailing, stapling, or attaching signs to trees. This helps protect our trees from damage and keeps Kawerau looking beautiful for everyone.
Signs can harm trees by creating wounds that invite pests and disease. Let’s work together to keep our green spaces healthy! If these rules are not abided to, Council will remove and confiscate the sign and issue a formal warning. If there is further non-compliance, Council may suspend the mobile trading licence.
If you have any questions or inquiries about signage in Kawerau, please contact Council on 07 306 9009 or info@kaweraudc.govt.nz
Drinking water taps at Kawerau New World and River Road
In Kawerau, there are two chlorine-free drinking water taps at the Kawerau New World carpark and at River Road beside the water treatment plant.
Please be advised, the water from the Kawerau New World carpark taps contains fluoride, as per the direction of the Ministry of Health.
The River Road drinking water taps beside the pumphouse offer chlorine and fluoride-free water. Water from the River Road drinking water taps has undergone ultra-violet (UV) treatment only to deal with any protozoa, viruses and bacteria that might be present as the water comes out of the springs.
St. John Kawerau Hato Hone | Health Shuttle Service
Pick-up and return service from home to medical or health related appointments for all ages throughout the wider Bay. Find out more and get in touch with the team here.
Earthquakes - Have a Plan and Be Prepared
In the event of a major quake - if you are safe at home, stay home.
What do we mean by ‘safe at home'? You are not near the coast/in a tsunami evacuation zone. Your home has not had significant damage. If everyone in your whānau is ok (no urgent medical/safety needs). If you need urgent help, call 111. If you are not safe at home, head to the nearest safe place - it may be your neighbours' home or somewhere close-by. Try and stay off the roads unless you must drive somewhere. After a major quake or other event, council and civil defence teams will update people on social media, radio, and any other means to get key information out. Local contact directory here.
Tarawera Falls Access Permits
Please be advised, that the landowner and kaitiaki Māori Investments Limited (MIL) has made the decision not to issue any visitor permits for the Tarawera Falls during the weekdays (Monday - Friday). Permits will only be issued for weekends and public holidays. Please contact the Kawerau Visitor i-site for more information and to obtain a permit.
Rates Rebate Applications
Check your eligibility online. Contact us on 07 306 9009 from 8am - 5pm Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri (8.30am - 5pm Wednesdays) if you have any questions.
Flush Your Drinking Water Taps
The Ministry of Health recommends that you flush a mugful of water from your drinking water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings. Public Notice from MoH about flushing traces of metals from drinking water.
How can Council help?
Let us know about an issue or repair needed of a community walkway, footpath, road/s, tree/s, water, or concern about dog/s and/or noise:
- Phone 07 306 9009 (24/7) Press 1 for Noise and Dogs, Press 2 for the Duty Supervisor (water, trees etc)
- Lodge a request via the Antenno App (if it's a roaming / barking / dog attack please take a photo if you safely can)
- Email info@kaweraudc.govt.nz
- Use our fix-it form via the website here
Please follow up on a request for service via phone or email regarding timeline for completion. Contact us >>
