Great news – new streetlights are coming to Te Aroha!

If you’ve noticed some dark spots around town or on Coulter Bridge, you’re not alone. Over time, several streetlights have lost their lamp fixtures or broken, and the old fittings can’t be repaired because they’re no longer made.

We’ve secured external funding to install brand-new streetlights, with work scheduled to wrap up by mid 2026. To make it happen, the lights need to be ordered before Christmas due to long manufacturing lead times.

Two streetlight designs were approved, both meeting NZTA standards and using modern LED technology. One design stood out for its classic look that complements Te Aroha’s heritage streetscape. 

We shared both streetlight styles with representatives from local iwi, Grow Te Aroha, Te Aroha & District Museum and other interested parties. Their input was appreciated and helped us confirm that the preferred style suited Te Aroha’s heritage character and community expectations.

These new lights will do more than brighten the road. They’ll improve visibility on footpaths, making it safer and easier for pedestrians, especially those crossing Coulter Bridge. In the chosen design, the LED fitting sits neatly inside the lantern, lighting it from above for a clean, elegant finish.

Streetlights on Coulter Bridge have changed a few times since the bridge opened in 1928. Want a glimpse of the past? One of the original blue-and-white lamps is still on display at the Te Aroha & District Museum.

Te Aroha's Coulter Bridge streetlights through the ages. From left: One of the original lights currently featured at Te Aroha & District museum, current lights and a concept image of the streetlghts due mid-2026..