COVID-19 UPDATE All of the Waikato District moves to “Orange” at 11:59pm on 2 December. Click here for full info.
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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Covid-19

For the most up-to-date information about the New Zealand COVID-19 situation visit www.COVID19.govt.nz. 

Vaccine Passes and our facilities

Council will make a decision on whether My Vaccine Passes are needed as a condition of entry to our facilities or not on 13 December.

The exception to this is our campgrounds, Raglan Holiday Park Papahua and Lake Hakanoa Motor Caravan Park.

The decision has already been made that My Vaccine Passes will be a condition of entry to those two facilities from 20 December.

This means, apart from the campgrounds, that Council services and facilities are currently accessible to anyone regardless of their vaccination status.

But going forward from 13 December, the vaccination status of community members over 12 years old could affect their ability to access facilities, such as libraries, pools, community halls, offices and the Council Chambers.

The reason why the decision is not being made until 13 December is that the Council is in the middle of a consultative process with its own staff on a proposed policy that would require all Council employees who are required to perform their duties at work to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Updated: 9.18am 2/12/21

All of the Waikato District (including the parts within the hard Auckland Covid boundary) will move to Orange at 11:59pm on 2 December, under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Click here for full information about life in "Orange".

Key updates for our communities:

  • From now until 15 December, those of our communities within the hard Auckland Covid boundary (including Port Waikato, Tuakau, Pōkeno and Mercer) will be unable to cross the boundary without a permitted reason.
  • From 15 December, anybody will be able to travel across the Auckland boundaries for any reason. People travelling out of the Auckland boundaries will need to have either their My Vaccine Pass OR a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of travel.

You can view the boundary map here.

Council services & facilities

Our staff are impacted by the COVID-19 alert level restrictions in the same way that our communities have been.

We are following guidance from Local Government New Zealand regarding the operation of our services. This means, many of our services are restricted and some services are not available.

Most of our staff are working at home, in a crisis, trying to provide the best service possible to our communities.

Many of our council facilities, including libraries and dogs pounds, are open with limited hours in "Orange"

Click here to see all service information for our communities at "Orange"
Offices and libraries

Our offices and libraries are open with limited hours.

  • Tuakau Library, Te Kauawhata Office & Library, Huntly Office & Library, Ngaruawahia Library, Ngaruawahia Council Office, Raglan Office & Library
    Hours: 10am - 3.00pm, Monday to Friday
  • Tuakau Office
    Hours: 10am – 3pm, Monday to Friday

  • Tamahere Council & Community Space
    Hours: 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday

  • Meremere Office & Library
    Hours: 10am - 3pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The government has said that mask-wearing is mandatory in libraries and there needs to be physical distancing of 2m.

Recreation and Community Facilities

In Level 2, all Council playgrounds are open again and our parks are open.

The Hakarimata Track is open, as is the Te Otamanui Walkway in Te Kowhai.

All other Council walkways are open.

Dog parks are open, but the following guidelines have been implemented:

  • avoid any contact with other dogs and people,
  • keep at least two metres away from others and
  • wash your hands before and after touching gates, wear gloves where possible

Boat ramps are open.

Community halls are open, but mask use is required and physical distancing of 2m should be followed. Contact tracing is a requirement.

Huntly Aquatic Centre is open.

Building Services

Building inspections are operating under safety protocols.

For more details email building.enquiries@waidc.govt.nz

Community projects and roading projects

Roading and community projects are operating.

Consents
  • Duty planner: No meetings until further notice, contact will be by phone or email.
  • Pre application meetings: No meetings until further notice. Contact will be by phone, email and remote meetings by Teams.
  • “Contactless” Site visits/inspections are being carried out.
  • All other consent processing will continue remotely.

Animal Control

Our Animal Control service is up and running.
Rubbish and recycling

Transfer Stations are open with reduced staff and only contactless transactions are accepted. No cash.

Huntly is only accepting recycling drop-off up until 12.30pm each day until we confirm otherwise.

Please go to the Unite Against Covid-19 website for all official information

Once the Government has set the Alert Level 3 boundary, the map will be available here

Locations of interest will be updated here

  • If you’re sick, stay home.
  • If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor or Healthline and get advice about being tested.

It's ok not to feel OK.

It's always OK to ask for help.

Through Covid-19, it's normal to feel upset and stressed. To support your mental wellbeing, try the below. 

  • Stay connected
  • Acknowledge your feelings
  • Stick to routines when possible
  • Check in on others who may need help
  • Limit your time online.

We know you may be struggling at this time and need support - whether it be financial, mental health or food.

Please click the below document link to find full contact details of people and agencies who can support you at this time.

 

pdf

Covid 19 Support contact card

pdf,  158 KB Download

More info

Rates

Waikato District Council is committed to helping our communities run smoothly. We provide a range of services and facilities to the community and the rates you pay allow us to do this. 

There are about 30,000 properties in the district on which rates are payable for maintaining 2,434kms of roads, 51 neighbourhood reserves, 43 sports parks, 12 skate parks, six libraries, three swimming pools, and for the planning, licensing and other services that the Council supplies.  Our targeted rates also help cover assets like 31 water reservoirs, 10 water treatment plants, 9 wastewater treatment plants, 34 community halls, as well as the refuse services that we supply.

If you are experiencing hardship, please contact Waikato District Council by email to rates@waidc.govt.nz or phone 0800 492 452 to discuss and arrange a payment plan or apply for assistance through rates remission/rates rebate.

If you're sick

If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.

By getting a test, you’re helping keep your community safe. Testing is always free for everyone.

 

Symptoms include:

  • a new or worsening cough
  • a fever of at least 38°C
  • shortness of breath
  • sore throat
  • sneezing and runny nose 
  • temporary loss of smell.

 

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as colds and flu.

Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.

Click here to find testing centres in the Waikato.

Click here to find testing centres in southern Auckland.

Wastewater testing

Waikato District Council are guided by the Ministry of Health and ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) for wastewater testing across the district. 

We will be collecting samples for wastewater testing as directed by the Ministry of Health/ESR. 

For more information on Covid-19 wastewater testing, please see the ESR factsheet.

 

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