11 December 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: InfraCore strike
Enquiry
We've just been made aware that Infracore staff have indicated they will be striking as their bottom line in the collective agreement bargaining hasn't been met.
Can you confirm you have been made aware of this.
What impact would a strike have on the CCO?
Reporter also contacted InfraCore CE Tim Hammond for confirmation of intended strike action: "Just wanted to give you the opportunity to respond to the statement the union has made saying staff members' bottom line hasn't been met and that's why they're planning to strike. Specifically they said 'this is what we believe we're worth - 2.5 per cent is not much but InfraCore said it couldn't be met, they get a limited amount from the council'.
Response
Response from RLC:
This is a matter for the CCO. Please contact InfraCore chief executive Tim Hammond for any comment regarding this.
Response from Tim Hammond:
He confirmed negotiations with staff began April/May, told the reporter he had received no official notification regarding strike action and said the last talks had with staff/union reps focussed on mediation
Mr Hammond also stated: We have had ongoing negotiations over a period of months - we have been back and forth on various points and have offered to go to mediation to try and resolve the situation.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Flochella event
Enquiry
Am I able to confirm Flochella, the music festival at Tikitapu next Waitangi weekend, is not a council-run event and that ratepayer money is not being used for the festival in any capacity.
Response
This is not a council run or council-funded event.
Council's support has been by way of helping with reserve bookings and providing advice and information about permissions and approvals which are required.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Citizenship
Enquiry
Reporter sought information re how many people had taken citizenship in Rotorua in the past 3 years; and top 5 countries of origin.
Reporter also wanted to know if Council had needed to increase the number of citizenship ceremonies this year and why
Reporter also sought comment from the mayor regarding the following:
How great is it to see people becoming citizens - how important is it to have a culturally diverse city and why?
Response
Reporter was referred to Internal Affairs for information regarding number of people taking citizenship in Rotorua during the past 3 years and top 5 countries of origin
Information:
As per earlier email Council doesn't keep a record of exact numbers of people who take citizenship in Rotorua or where they are from. These ceremonies are conducted on behalf of Internal Affairs so they will have precise numbers and other information.
For the past couple of years citizenship ceremonies have been held every month at Rotorua Lakes Council due to an increase in numbers. Prior to that there were 7 or 8 ceremonies per year.
An average 30 individuals receive citizenship every month in Rotorua (this includes families).
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
Diversity brings richness to a community - it's what makes life, and places, interesting. People with different backgrounds bring different skills and experiences, different thinking and new ways of doing things. It's also good for our children to be exposed to different people and cultures, to learn about the world beyond what they know and accept people's differences.
Officiating at citizenship ceremonies is one of my favourite tasks as a mayor. It's often very humbling and moving when people share what's brought them to New Zealand and to Rotorua, and why it's important to them to become citizens of their adopted home.
Those who take citizenship take it very seriously - they want to contribute to the fabric of our society and they never take New Zealand citizenship for granted. It's always a good reminder of how fortunate we are to live in our wonderful country and makes me very grateful for that privilege.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Review
Topic: Mudtopia
Enquiry
Just dropping you a line with a quick question.
It's been reported in the Post, and the Taxpayers' Union have picked this up, that 10,000 free Mudtopia tickets were given away.
Is it possible to get a confirmation of the number given away?
Response
From Scott Rice, Mudtopia Festival Co-Director:
We wanted to give Rotorua locals the opportunity to come along and experience the Mudtopia Festival for themselves and to have a really busy festival vibe. In total we had 14,000 visits to the event across the weekend, that includes individuals coming and going multiple times across the weekend.
9,000 complimentary tickets were given out to the Rotorua community via schools, tertiary providers, sports groups, recreation facilities, businesses and community groups. 3,000 complimentary tickets were allocated to sponsors, partners and funders, prizes and promotions. Complimentary tickets were a combination of individual Mud Pass and Family Mud Pass tickets and were very well received by the community when you look at the fantastic turn out.
Information provided by RLC:
Preliminary info and data was provided at the [Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee] meeting - you'll find the presentation with the information that was provided HERE - the presentation is on Council's website alongside the meeting agenda. This was a verbal update rather than a report in the agenda.
The post-event review and full report from the event are yet to come. That won't be for at least a few months.
