Great news – new streetlights are coming to town!

If you’ve noticed some dark spots 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 on the bridge and town centre, with work scheduled to wrap up by mid 2026. To make it happen, the lights needed to be ordered before Christmas due to long manufacturing lead times.

The two streetlight designs below were approved, both meeting NZTA standards and using modern LED technology. One design (pictured left) stood out for its classic look that complements Te Aroha’s heritage streetscape. 

We shared both streetlight styles with representatives from local iwi, the Te Aroha Business Assocation's 'Grow Te Aroha' project, Te Aroha & District Museum and other interested parties. Their input was appreciated and helped us confirm that the lantern style suited Te Aroha’s heritage character and supported community expectations to honour and enhance this unique aspect of Te Aroha.

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.

The new streetlights are set to be a deeper heritage green which lets us stay true to the original look. The heritage green is a close match to what was used on the bridge lights around 30 years ago, which is no longer readily available. 

This emerald shade has strong historic roots, used to highlight architectural features during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras and aligns with the Heritage-NZ approved deep green used throughout Te Aroha Domain.




Here is a glimpse of what it’s set to look like with the new light fittings.

Streetlights on Coulter Bridge have changed a few times since the bridge opened in 1928. If you'd like a glimpse of the past, one of the original blue-and-white lamps is still on display at the Te Aroha & District Museum (far left, image below).

 We are also renewing the period streetlights in the Te Aroha CBD on Whitaker Street. The current streetlights are blue but we have an opportunity to also align the main street with the Coulter Bridge and Te Aroha Domain if the community would like to. 


Have a preference? Let us know what you think! Poll closes by 3pm, Monday 9 February. Vote now!