12 February 2019
Media: Bay of Plenty Times
Topic: Livestreaming of Council meetings
Enquiry
I'm working on a story about Tauranga City Council beginning to live stream its council meetings. I understand the Rotorua Lakes Council has been live streaming meetings for some time and I would appreciate comment from RLC about how streaming has worked for it - specifically the following questions:
- When did live streaming of RLC meetings begin?
- Why did the council begin streaming the meetings? What was the purpose/goal?
- How effectively/well is the live stream achieving these goals?
- What impact/result has the council seen from doing so?
Response
From Jean-Paul Gaston, Group Manager Strategy (this group includes governance and communications):
Routine livestreaming of committee and Full Council hui started in June 2015, in support of our organisation's commitment to be transparent and to provide a variety of ways for people to be well informed about Council business and decision-making. It also provides another public record and helps people understand how decisions are made.
It was already common practice in other councils including, at that time, Hamilton, Taupo, Wellington and New Plymouth.
We don't necessarily have a large audience watching every hui but the recordings are readily and publicly available via Council's YouTube channel to anyone who wishes to view them.
We have a dedicated page on our website which provides links to the livestreaming/recordings as well as agendas and presentations.
There are technical issues from time to time but generally it works well from our point of view in providing an additional way for people to be informed about and understand Council business and decisions.
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Media: Daily Post
Topic: Float and Bomb Comp event
Enquiry
I am just doing a preview on the Float and Bomb Comp events coming up at the end of this week at Blue Lake.
When I spoke to the event organiser this morning she mentioned that they've been working closely with the council.
Just wondering if I could include some comment about the council's involvement and any information/messages to the public the council wants to put across about the event.
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council, Sport Recreation and Environment Manager, Rob Pitkethley:
Council's Sports and Recreation and Arts and Culture teams have been working alongside the organisers of Float and the NZ Bomb Comp to ensure that the event is a fun, safe and family friendly environment for our community.
It's great that people are looking at Rotorua as a destination to host events, especially those that interest local youth. Council has offered sponsorship and in-kind support to help facilitate the event. This has included venue hire, provision of waste and janitorial services, coordinating food vendors and equipment for health and safety e.g. barriers and cones. Staff have also worked alongside the event organisers to ensure key stakeholders are engaged and have had input into the planning and delivery of Float and the NZ Bomb Comp.
Some things to remember on the day:
- Make the most of Float's transport offer - grab a bus from Puarenga Park for a gold coin donation. Buses run continuously throughout the day from 9.30am. Parking is $25 (cash only) at Lake Tikitapu.
- Float is an all ages event. It is an alcohol and smoking free area and bag checks will be in place.
- You can bring food and non-alcoholic sealed drinks with you. Please keep in mind rubbish - if you bring it, take it home with you.
- We know floaties are a must accessory for this event - if it pops hold onto it and take it home. We don't want to see a floaty graveyard left after the event.
- Be sun smart - slip, slop, slap and wrap.
