E ngā manukura o te rohe, tēnā koutou
He Raranga weaves together kōrero on the mahi we do at
Waikato Regional Council.Let us know what you think, we would love to hear your whakaaro on our e-pānui as well as comments on how we could make He Raranga more useful for you.
Ngā mahi whaitake
Local authority elections 2025
In 2012, Waikato Regional Council voted to create two Māori constituencies – making us the first in the country to do so under the Local Electoral Act. It was a bold move that helped make our local democracy more inclusive by ensuring Māori voices could be heard at the decision-making table.
Since then, Māori constituencies have been in place for four election cycles. Over that time, our Māori councillors have made a huge impact. They’ve helped guide decisions with a strong Māori perspective, strengthened the council’s understanding of te ao Māori, and played a key role in shaping policies that benefit both iwi and the wider community.
Waikato regional climate change hazards and risks report
To identify the main climate change risks for the Waikato rohe, Waikato Regional Council led and funded a high-level climate change risk identification and screening project, incorporating insights from council subject matter experts, iwi and external stakeholders. The findings from that earlier project, as well as the most recent climate projections and hazards for the region (using Ministry for the Environment downscaled projections), have been compiled into a technical report. A summary report is also available.
The technical report contains valuable insights into the hazards and potential risks that are likely to affect the region, providing a central reference for planning and responding to the impacts of climate change.
If you would like to learn more about the report and how it can help inform your iwi, hapū and whānau response to climate change, please join us for a short webinar on Wednesday 25 June, 6.30pm to 7.15pm. Click here to register.
Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 – Update
Waikato Regional Council has 40 days to respond to the Environment Court's interim decision on the council's groundbreaking plan to improve water quality in the Waikato and Waipā rivers. On 28 May, the court released its 376-page ruling, giving the council until 25 July to propose amendments that address feedback from parties that appealed the plan change. The court indicated it will likely reconvene the hearing in September to consider the proposed amendments.
Iwi environmental management plans
Ngaati Mahuta ki te Hauaauru officially lodged their iwi environmental management plan, Huri taiaawhio ko Ngaati Mahuta e, with Waikato Regional Council earlier this year. This plan outlines their environmental priorities, tikanga-based approaches to resource management and aspirations for protecting and enhancing the taiao within their rohe.
For us at council, iwi environmental management plans are an important resource to our teams working on environmental planning, resource consents and engagement with iwi and hapū as they provide a formal way for iwi interests to be incorporated into our mahi.
Proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan - Hearings update
Hearings for the Proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan finished in late April 2025. Submitters had the opportunity to be heard by the Hearings Panel, who will now deliberate on submissions to the proposed coastal plan before making their recommendations to the council. Evidence statements and audio recordings from the hearings are available on our website.
Iwi feedback mechanisms
Waikato Regional Council is committed to building strong, collaborative relationships with iwi Māori, recognising that these partnerships are essential to achieving shared environmental, economic and community goals.
To support this, we’re introducing a new feedback tool, Ask Nicely, using the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to consistently measure and improve iwi engagement. This approach enhances transparency, supports shared learning and helps us better understand and respond to iwi perspectives, and ensuring our work reflects the values and aspirations of the communities we serve.
Ngā mahi i te hapori
Funding helps plant a native forest
“Putting the forest back in, it means that we’re going to have clean water, erosion control and habitat for all kinds of species. It’ll also help with climate,” Ian Brennan, local farmer in Te Miro, who retired 38 hectares of steep country by planting 90,000 native plants.
Waikato Regional Council and the Waikato River Authority funded the majority of costs for the project, which helps to protect and enhance seven streams that feed into the Waikato and Piako rivers.
Hands on marine biosecurity learning for Raglan children
“This event was an important opportunity for students to explore precious marine ecosystems and discover how we can protect them,” Michelle Daly, Senior education advisor and Enviroschools regional coordinator.
The Waikato Enviroschools programme is supported by Waikato Regional Council along with district and city councils. The programme is based on the principle of sustainability and empowering students to become active environmental citizens for life.
Pump stations get smart with technological upgrades
“What we found during the 2023 weather events, which created no end of pump station issues, is that where we had smartification installed, we were able to resolve most problems remotely; and where we didn’t, we had multiple callouts by staff and electricians,” Karen Botting, Hauraki Zone Manager.
Waikato Regional Council is undertaking technological upgrades to allow for the remote monitoring and management of pumps in urban areas, ponding zones and isolated locations as part of its capital renewals programme.
Ngā mahi whaihua
Careers
Our people are what makes working at Waikato Regional Council so great, with a wide range of work and roles, competitive salaries and a range of benefits. Learn more about our career opportunities here.
Funding
- Environmental Initiatives Fund
Valued at up to $40,000, the Environmental Initiatives Fund provides one-off grants to kaupapa which directly enhance and/or benefit the environment or provide environmental education. Applications open 23 June and close 21 July 2025.
