Council encourages residents to have their say and provide feedback on the following topics, which are currently open for submissions through the consultation and engagement process.
Mahere Iwa Tau | Long Term Plan 2025 - 2034 - Consultation open 11 April - 12 May 2025. A hearing for submitters will take place on Wednesday 28 May 2025.
Local Water Done Well - Consultation open 11 April - 23 May 2025. A hearing for submitters will take place, Wednesday 18 June 2025.
Draft Gambling Venues Policy - Consultation opens 14 April - 16 May 2025
The Gambling Act 2003 and the Racing Industry Act 2020, require Council to have both a Class 4 Venue and TAB Venue Policy (previously known as Board Venues). These policies cover the likes of how many venues can provide electronic gaming machines and stand alone TAB venues and where these venues may be located within the District. They may also consider whether to adopt a policy on venues relocation or club merges.
We currently have a separate Gambling Venues Policy and a Board Venues Policy. The Gambling Venues Policy is considered a sinking lid policy as when the gambling machine numbers or venue numbers decrease, no new gaming machines or venues will be approved. The Board Venues Policy on the other hand currently enables one new Board Venue to be established.
Both the Gambling Venues Policy and a Board Venues Policy must be reviewed every three years. When reviewing the gambling policies, Council’s must take into account the social impacts of gambling on the local community. A Social Impact Statement was prepared, outlining the impacts of gambling across New Zealand and more specifically in Kawerau District. The Social Impact Statement shows that while both gambling venues and gaming machine numbers have decreased, the expenditure has increased.
While gambling has a place in society as a form of entertainment, employment and community funding, this must be balanced with the harm that it may cause some of our vulnerable community.
While Council is required to adopt a gambling policy, it is the Department of Internal Affairs, who are responsible for issuing venue licences and undertaking the monitoring and enforcement of gambling licences issued. Council’s role is solely the implementation of a community-focused policy.
Online Submission Form for Draft Gambling Venues Policy
Community Engagement Sessions:
| When | Where | Time |
| Concert Chamber | Wednesday 16 April | 3pm - 4pm |
| Concert Chamber | Tuesday 29 April | 9am - 10am |
| Concert Chamber | Monday 5 May | 12noon - 1pm |
| Concert Chamber | Thursday 8 May | 4pm - 5pm |
Kawerau District Age-Friendly and Accessible Strategy
The Age-Friendly and Accessible Strategy is reviewed regularly and is a ‘living document’ (meaning that actions taken will be referenced by Kawerau District Council). We are open to any and all suggestions that can help to improve the livelihood and wellbeing of seniors in the Kawerau community.
Find out more and have your say here.
Kawerau District former consultation topics (now closed):
- Mahere ā tau | Proposed Annual Plan 2024-2025 - submissions closed Tuesday 14 May 2024. Council will adopt the Annual Plan 2024-2025 on Wednesday 26 June 2024.
- Rate Remission Policy - Sport, Recreation, and Community Organisations leasing Council land- submissions closed Friday 14 June 2024. Council adopted the policy Wednesday 26 June 2024
- Stoneham Park Residential Development District Plan Modifications - the second round of submissions for the Plan Change 4 closed on 28 April 2023. A Hearing for submitters was held on 15 June. On 28 July 2023, Council lodged the Proposed District Plan Change 4 final appeal process. Any submitter who has made a submission to the Proposed Plan Change 4 to enable the Stoneham Park Residential Development, can make an appeal. For more information, please visit here.
- Stoneham Park Residential Development Reserve Swap - submissions closed 5pm on Friday 24 March 2023. The meeting for submitters was held 26 April 2023.
- Draft Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy - submissions closed 5pm on Friday 19 July 2024
- Representation Review initial proposal - submissions closed 5pm, Monday 26 August, 2024. The hearing for submitters was held 11 September 2024
- Draft Freedom Camping Bylaw - submissions closed 6 September, 2024. The hearing for submitters was held 25 September 2024
- Proposed Naming Policy - submissions closed 6 September, 2024. The hearing for submitters was held 25 September 2024
- Representation Review Final Proposal - submissions closed 4 November, 2024.
- Draft Freedom Camping Bylaw - submissions closed 20 December , 2024. The hearing for submitters was held 26 February 2025
- Draft Easter Sunday Trading Policy - submissions closed 17 March, 2025.
Eastern Bay Consultation Topics (now closed) are:
- Kawerau District Proposed Boundary Changes - Submissions closed on 31 March 2023
- Draft Local Alcohol Policy consultation and submission period closed on Friday 28 April 2023
- Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan and submission period closed Sunday13 August 2023
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council Representation Review 2024- Submissions closed 10 July 2024. A hearing is scheduled for 13 August 2024
- Eastern Bay of Plenty Our Places - Spatial Plan -Submissions closed 17 November 2024
Central Government Consultation Topics (now closed):
Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill Public Submissions CLOSED on 12 February 2023 Find out more here
Natural and Built Environment Bill submissions via Council CLOSED 14 February 2023 Find out more here
Spatial Planning Bill Public submissions via Council CLOSED 14 February 2023 Find out more here
Water Services Legislation Bill - Three Waters: Public submissions CLOSED 12 February 2023 Find out more here
Water Services - Three Waters Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill: Public submissions CLOSED 12 February 2023 Find out more here
Te Aoratake i te Anamata mō Ngā Kaunihera | Review into the Future for Local Government - Find out more here.
