14 April 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: March building consents
Enquiry
Please may I have the top five commercial building consents issued in March 2021 in terms of value? May I please have what they were for, what address, and how much the consent was worth?
May I also please have the total value of commercial and residential consents issued in March 2021?
After receiving info re above, reporter sought comment from Mayor Chadwick as follows:
May I also please get a comment from the mayor about the investment into Rotorua's historic QE Health? How great this is for the city?
There seems to be a lot happening with Rotorua's lakefront projects with the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa also planned. I'm getting an update on where this is at also.
Response
The following information was provided:
These were the only commercial building consents issued in March.
Project location | Work Description | Work Value |
1092 Hinemaru St | NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDING FOR QE HEALTH | $13,500,000 |
1073 Whakaue St | WAI ARIKI SPA - FOUNDATIONS AND DRAINAGE | $8,000,000 |
Hilda St | NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE AND CARETAKER SHEDS | $600,000 |
Total value of commercial and residential consents issued in March 2021: $34,961,303
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
It's fantastic to see these exciting developments progressing.
Major projects like the new facility for our much-loved QE Health and Ngati Whakaue's Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa development will contribute to our aspirations as a spa, health and wellness destination and greatly benefit our local community, as well as integrating with the lakefront refresh that is now well underway.
Importantly, they will provide much-needed jobs, support economic recovery and future growth and demonstrate confidence in, and a commitment to, our district's future.
As progress on these projects becomes more visible, we will hopefully see a ripple effect in terms of economic confidence that could prompt others to also proceed with planned investment or developments.
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Media: Te Karere
Topic: Maori land rating Bill
Enquiry
We are following up on the new law changes to rates on Maori land (Local Government Rating of Whenua Maori Amendment Bill).
Can Rotorua Council tell me how much money is owing for outstanding rates on Maori land both used and unused?
Response
The following information was provided:
Total rates arrears on Maori land for current and prior years is $3,369,338
$1,528,770 is in respect of unused land
*NOTE: Information relating to the Bill can be found HERE and HERE on www.parliament.nz
See Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahutu's release from 6 April, following the Bill passing its third reading in Parliament, HERE
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Citizenship ceremony
Enquiry
I saw the latest citizenship ceremony was yesterday and I was wondering if I could get a few answers from the mayor to the below questions:
- What do you enjoy about the citizenship ceremonies each time?
- How many people became citizens yesterday and is it possible to know which countries they are from?
- How does it feel to hear the stories of people from all different backgrounds/walks of life?
- Why is it great to celebrate Rotorua's multicultural community?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
- Are there a couple photos from the ceremony we can use?
Response
The reporter was provided with the following information and comment:
Reporter was provided with a list of candidates and their countries of origins and was also provided with photos taken by RLC during yesterday's ceremony.
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
As always, this week's ceremony was quite an emotional affair, made even more poignant by the situations many of the candidates' families are in back in their home countries as a result of COVID.
They felt very fortunate to be able to have a gathering with family and friends to celebrate this important milestone so that made it an even more significant and special occasion.
It was a smaller group than usual with 24 becoming citizens, but as always we had a diverse group who have lived in New Zealand for various amounts of time, originating from different countries, cultures and backgrounds, but all choosing to live in our country to enjoy a better life - for themselves and their children. Everyone loved the performance by Malfroy Primary School children and it was wonderful to hear quite a lot of te reo Maori being spoken by our new citizens.
Diversity adds richness to our community, its brings new and different skills, experiences, thinking and ways of doing things and I love hearing how and why they came to be in New Zealand. Their stories always remind me what a great country we live in and to be grateful for that privilege.