A controversial proposal to bring Burger King and Starbucks to Tīrau appears to be on hold for now, with construction not set to start until beyond 2026.
By Bronson Perich of Local Democracy Reporting
A panel of independent commissioners gave the project the go-ahead last October after Tahua Properties Limited applied for a resource consent from South Waikato District Council in 2023.
Since the consent has been granted, the houses that stood on the property have been demolished and the site has been cleared, but no groundbreaking or construction has taken place.
Last month, the South Waikato District Council’s Growth and Infrastructure Committee received an update on all resource consent processing underway in the district, including on the Starbucks and Burger King development.
In the update report, it says that Tahua Properties was issued a building consent for the construction of retaining walls in May.
"The consent holder advised that works were not going to start this year."
Plans to bring the coffee and burger chains to the Waikato town has drawn criticism from some locals.
Tīrau Ward councillor Kerry Purdy told Local Democracy Reporting she could see both sides of the argument, though the majority of constituents who had spoken with her about the development were opposed to it.
While Purdy acknowledged the conditions imposed by the independent commissioners, she was concerned they may not be enough.
"It’s already a nightmare a lot of the time with the pedestrian crossing problems and ever-increasing vehicle volumes," she said.
Purdy said she could also understand concerns for local businesses.
"Is there enough ‘cream’ for everyone? Will it really have a huge impact? [Though] Not everyone likes fast food."
However, she said she could also see some positive impacts of the development.
"I do know our shift workers are excited at the idea of having late night food available," she said.
"After 3pm there are limited options in Tīrau but it’s even worse after 8pm."
Purdy also said change was inevitable and towns like Tīrau were growing.
"Developers have arrived, sections are being carved up, and the quarter-acre dream is quickly disappearing.
"So do we need to change our thinking and adapt so our beautiful town remains a destination?"
Tahua Properties must notify the council and the occupants of immediate neighbouring sites in writing no less than three days before the start of construction work.
Tahua Properties must also deliver a Construction Management Plan and traffic engineering design plan 10 working days before any works commence on-site.
Before earthworks, temporary noise screens must be set up, and Tahua Properties must contact the council’s Monitoring and Compliance Officer at least 48 hours before any physical works start.
South Waikato District Council confirmed that the consent for the retaining walls was the only building consent that was lodged and granted for the site so far.
It had not received a building consent application for any other works, including the construction of the actual restaurant buildings and drive-through facilities.
The council said that while the resource consent did not set a requirement for when construction must begin, the standard five-year lapse period, set out in the Government’s Resource Management Act, applied.
"Unless given effect to by 13 October 2030, the consent will lapse," the council said.
Tahua Properties belong to Tahua Group, a New Zealand retail and hospitality investment company that operates Starbucks New Zealand, Burger King New Zealand and Popeyes New Zealand.
In response to questions, Tahua Group, through its barrister, told Local Democracy Reporting it had no comment.
Tahua Properties lodged the resource consent in 2023.
The application was publicly notified in June 2024, with 148 submissions received, of which 39 were in support, five were neutral and 104 were in opposition.
Submitters against the proposal were mainly concerned about traffic, impacts on neighbouring Tīrau Primary School and Tīrau Community Church, noise and the impact on the town’s character and established businesses.
A panel of independent commissioners granted Tahua Properties Limited the resource consent, though it is subject to conditions, including the restriction of operating hours to between 5am and 11pm.
Other conditions include requiring the premises to build a speed hump, pedestrian priority markings, and a pedestrian visibility splay - an area of land at road junctions and driveways that must be kept clear of obstructions to ensure drivers have a clear line of sight to pedestrians and pedestrians have a clear view of vehicles.
Currently, the closest Burger King to Tīrau is in Tokoroa. Meanwhile, heading south, Tūrangi is home to the last Burger King before Rangipō (the Desert Rd).
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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