Matarangi Ratepayers and Residents Association (Inc.)October 2025 Newsletter

As the result of the Local Body elections are finalised, MRRAI looks forward to working with Mayor,  Peter Revell and new Councillors Tony Brljevich, John Grant and Flemming Rasmussen. We thank those who have undertaken these roles in the past.

A few updates on what your MRRAI team have been working on:

Bluff Road Connectivity Project Update

Matarangi and Kūaotunu Resident and Ratepayer groups have been exploring a proposal to establish a suspension bridge at Bluff Cove to enable safe cycling and pedestrian reconnection of Bluff Road between our two communities. In December 2021 a further significant rock fall in the area resulted in the closure of Bluff Road 500m beyond Rings Beach bridge at Fisherman’s Rock. The ongoing risk of rockfall and slips means the coastal road link through to Matarangi remains closed. The community funded Feasibility Study has now been completed with a concept design developed and costed. Local iwi and TCDC have been consulted in the development of the concept. There needs to be geotechnical investigations and the assessment of the track to better inform the viability of the project and to finalise the feasibility. If the project is deemed viable at that point, considerable community consultation will commence. These geotechnical investigations have been included in the TCDC 2024-2034 Long Term Plan and the first is expected to be carried out at the Bluff Cove abutment sites for the proposed bridge now likely from mid-November. These investigators have special TCDC permission to carry out their work and strict health and safety protocols will be put in place to ensure the safety of those on site and public access will be closed.

Shortly, MRRAI, KRRA and The Matarangi Community Trust committees will be meeting to discuss the way forward and we will keep you all fully informed. Details contained in the  feasibility study recently completed will be available on request. Should this exciting project proceed we will be providing our members and the wider community with a lot more detail and look forward to your support. If implemented, the extreme danger around the current slip site will be removed and we will be able to reconnect our two vibrant communities of Matarangi and Kuaotunu for pedestrians and cyclists alike. This will be a community funded project so watch this space!

Look out for TCDC communications as to the confirmed timing and duration of the investigation.

Further information and details will soon be published in the Matarangi Beach paper.

Omaro Reserve Community Consultation.

Following the recent Facebook post there needs to be some perspective around what has actually happened. Some of the posts are not based on a factual account of the consultation. Community consultations on this project have continued for nearly two years. ALL community groups were invited and participated. Just because some people are not prepared to accept that the Matarangi community now includes young families and the needs now include activities beyond just launching boats it does not make the change “stupid or dangerous”. Omaro reserve is an expansive and valuable area and needs to be a shared space for all of our community, and yes boats and their owners are part of this. Some of the recent vitriol is unacceptable and not based on fact. There has been one trial with boat launching and there is another planned, I sincerely hope that this opportunity is taken in good faith because we believe it can work. Success or failure cannot be measured from a small window during the holiday period when all resources in the Coromandel are under immense pressure. MRRAI believes the plan is workable and that's why we have supported it.

With the size and scope of these projects, along with the numerous other pieces of work that MRRAI are involved in, we would like 2 new committee members. If you have a genuine interest in ensuring  Matarangi remains an awesome community with the infrastructure and facilities it needs - we would love to hear from you!

MRRAI Committee

Matarangi Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Chairman: Mark Bedford     Deputy Chair:  John Hackett

  Secretary: Keryn Grey   Treasurer, Jennifer Carran 

Committee: Hugh Chapman, Bronwyn Dorrian, Tadek Gawor, Grant Short