Kishan Raikwar Thames community Board member 2022-2025

12/06/2026

Thames‑Coromandel District Council extends its sincere condolences to the family of Gilbert James and to the wider marine farming community.

Mayor Peter Revell said Gilbert’s passing would be deeply felt across the district. “Gilbert was a lifelong and dedicated member of the Coromandel, with deep roots here and an unwavering commitment to his community,” Mayor Revell said. “His leadership and vision helped shape an industry that now plays a vital role in our local economy.”

A lifelong resident of Coromandel Town, Gilbert was a pioneering figure in the development of the region’s marine farming sector. In 1981, he convened the first meeting of mussel farming applicants, helping establish the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, which he chaired for more than 40 years.

“Gilbert brought people together at a critical time and laid the foundations for a thriving aquaculture industry,” Mayor Revell said. “His determination and collaborative approach set a standard that continues to benefit the Coromandel today.”

Through his work, Gilbert played a significant role in growing aquaculture into a key pillar of the district’s economy. His contributions extended beyond his own successful business, Gold Ridge Marine Farms, to regional and national leadership, including service on the Mussel Industry Advisory Council and as a founding director of Aquaculture New Zealand.

“His influence reached well beyond our district,” Mayor Revell added. “He was a respected voice nationally, always advocating strongly for the marine farming community and its future.”

Gilbert’s commitment to his community and industry was recognised by our Council with a Community Service Award in 2022 (pictured).

“Gilbert’s passion, advocacy and generosity of spirit leave a lasting legacy,” Mayor Revell said. “He will be remembered with great respect and gratitude for everything he contributed to the prosperity of the Coromandel and New Zealand’s aquaculture sector.”

12/06/2026

The Hauraki Rail Trail has received $840,000 in the latest Government budget, for 14 e-bike charging stations.
Tourism and hospitality minister Louise Upston announced the investment on June 1, as part of a $2.5 million package from the Electrifying the Great Rides fund, targeting five cycle trails across the country.
READ MORE: https://www.valleyprofile.co.nz/2026/06/09/840k-electric-boost-for-rail-trail/

01/06/2026

Great news for Hauraki!!

Tourism Minister Louise Upston MP has announced that the Hauraki Rail Trail will get new e-bike charging infrastructure through the Electrifying the Great Rides Fund.

The Hauraki Rail Trail is already one of New Zealand’s great cycle trails, bringing visitors into our region, supporting local cafés, accommodation providers, tourism operators and small businesses, and giving locals another reason to get out and enjoy where we live.

E-bikes are opening up our cycle trails to more people, including families, older riders and visitors who want to explore further and stay longer. By making it easier to charge bikes along the way, this investment will help make the Great Taste Trail more accessible and bring more benefits to our local economy.

Across New Zealand, Great Rides deliver an estimated $1.28 billion boost to regional communities. Hauraki is well placed to benefit from that growth, and it is fantastic to see our region included in this latest round of funding. This is exactly the kind of targeted investment that supports tourism, backs local businesses, and helps unlock the full potential of our region. Fixing the basics. Building the future!

29/05/2026

📣🚗𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥

Our Mayor Peter Revell says the Government's announcement of $85 million in funding for State Highway improvement projects in the Coromandel is a critical investment that will help keep our communities connected in severe weather events.

"The State Highways are essential lifelines for our communities. When they are compromised by slips and flooding there are no practical alternatives. Our communities become isolated, businesses can't operate and essential services struggle to reach those in need," Mayor Revell said.

"This is much-needed funding that our Council has been consistently pressing the Government to direct our way. You only need to look at how well SH25A from Kōpū to Hikuai has held out since the new bridge and other improvements were made after Cyclone Gabrielle. That road has been open and accessible pretty much all through the repeated storms we've experienced since it was reopened in late 2023," Mayor Revell said.

"We've already had three severe weather events this year that isolated communities and disrupted businesses. This investment will help reduce the risk of road closures on the State Highways and allow us to bounce back more quickly," Mayor Revell said.

As part of yesterday's budget announcement, the Government allocated $400 million for transport resilience projects.

Up to eleven sites on the SH25 loop around the Coromandel have been identified for retaining works, drainage upgrades, slope stabilisation and road protection works, at an estimated cost of $20 million. Traffic volumes vary by section, up to 5,000 vehicles per day.

Kirikiri Stream bridge on SH26 in Kōpū by the golf course will be replaced with a higher, more resilient structure, the approaches will be raised and a permanent roundabout at the nearby intersection of SH26 and SH25A (Kōpū-Hikuai Rd) will be installed, all at an estimated cost of $65 million.

The existing bridge is more than 80 years old and vulnerable to flooding. The replacement bridge will improve flood protection from what is currently a one-in-five-year event to a one-in-100-year event. The road there carries about 5,400 vehicles every day.

28/05/2026