11 July 2019

I have gained information on mayoral sending from the Taxpayers Union under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

The total value of reimbursed transactions attributable to Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick and incurred by staff in the Mayor's office over the period was $5579.49.

The most expensive expenses included dinner with John Chadwick, Trevor Maxwell, Prof Gang Hoan-Jeong and Kwonhee Chun (International Relations) worth $345, Executive Support staff thank you $133.40.

It also included smaller expenses such as taxi fares, coffee, morning tea with Mayor and Cuban Ambassador to NZ, lunch with Rt Hon Helen Clark (following Property Council address), and a Daily Post digital monthly subscription and a meal with the Ambassador of Mexico.

- What is the mayor's response to the spending above?

- How does the mayor describe herself and her council as spenders? Are they heavy spenders/conservative?

- Why is it important to disclose expenses to the public?

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

Part of the role of mayor is to be an ambassador and with Rotorua being a tourist destination I'm often hosting diplomats and visitors sent here by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as dignitaries and ministers of the Crown.

Any expenses incurred have been as part of mayoral duties.

We are all very careful about spending. It's all subject to public scrutiny and audit and that's how it should be.

*NOTE: The official info request to which the reporter was referring can be found HERE on Council's website.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Meade St mud pool

Reporter working on an update on the Meade St mud pool had the following questions:

1 - Has the council know whether the affected family will be able to return to their house on the property yet?

2 - Will the house be able to remain on the site?

3 - Is the mud pool affecting neighbouring properties in any way, eg their underground infrastructure?

4 - What future implications does the council think the mud pool will have on other properties nearby, if any?

5 - Have nearby properties expressed concerns to the council about the mud pool affecting their property value?

6 - How will the property's status under the Rotorua Lakes Council plan change as a result of the mud pool, if at all?

7 - Does the council know if the family has insurance?

8 - What messages have Tuhourangi conveyed to the council about the mud pool?

The following information was provided:

1 - Has the council know whether the affected family will be able to return to their house on the property yet?

The house on the property has been issued with a dangerous building notice and is currently uninhabitable.

2 - Will the house be able to remain on the site?

This is dependent on the activity of the geothermal event and the stability of the surrounding ground. It will be at the owner's discretion as to what happens to the house. Council will continue to provide advice around public safety.

3 - Is the mud pool affecting neighbouring properties in any way, eg their underground infrastructure?

No, currently the event appears to be isolated to the one property.

4 - What future implications does the council think the mud pool will have on other properties nearby, if any?

This question should be referred to GNS Science.

5 - Have nearby properties expressed concerns to the council about the mud pool affecting their property value?

We have not received any expressions of concern from neighbouring properties. Geothermal activity in the area is not unusual.

6 - How will the property's status under the Rotorua Lakes Council plan change as a result of the mud pool, if at all?

It's too early to say what the long term impact on the property will be.

7 - Does the council know if the family has insurance?

This question should be referred to the property owner.

8 - What messages have Tuhourangi conveyed to the council about the mud pool?

Initial contact was made with Tuhourangi immediately after the event occurred. The situation is still being monitored and the next steps will be determined once we know exactly what we're dealing with.

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Media: Stuff
Topic: Meade St mud pool

I've been asked to put together an update on the Meade St mudpool situation. To that end I wanted to ask:

I called at the site earlier and it appears to be dormant - is that correct?

Is it possible it could resume activity?

Is there a plan for what to do with the site? For example, fill in the hole, leave it alone?

Has council been able to contact the home owner, and has he or she been given any advice about what to do with the property?

The reporter was referred to THIS PAGE on Council's website which we have been updating re the mud pool. He was also provided with the following information:

The recent rain has cooled the geothermal activity down but it is expected to pick back. It's still too early to determine what will happen with the site and with the property long term. Decisions regarding the property will be at the discretion of the property owner. Council will continue to provide advice about public safety. We have worked with the owner to secure the property while the mud pool remains active and the ground unstable. Council will continue to monitor the situation.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Vape stores

I was wondering if there was any information available on the number of vape stores in Rotorua with their locations and when each of them came? Are there anymore planning on coming into the city? If the council is not the right place to look for that, could you please point me in the right direction for this information?

The reporter was informed that Council does not keep information regarding how many of various types of businesses there are in Rotorua, except for those requiring licences.