15 June 2020

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Government job creation announcement

Enquiry

Reporter requested comment from Mayor Chadwick on the announcement made by Minister Shane Jones on the $60m for nationwide job creation.

The press release regarding the announcement is available HERE.

Response

From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:

Councils will play an important role in stimulating local economies through delivery of council projects and facilitating and enabling collaboration, but we need Central Government investment to help make it happen.

Rotorua Lakes Council had received $1.1m from a recent Government allocation for rural roadside work that will provide work for about 25 locals who have lost jobs as a result of COVID-19. The work will be contracted to Council's InfraCore CCO, which will work with the Ministry for Social Development on redeployment. It's a good example of how we can all work together collaboratively to provide work and jobs that provide wider community benefit.

This latest allocation is another opportunity to provide work for contractors and create jobs in the Bay of Plenty, and will be welcomed as our districts continue to feel the impact of COVID-19.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Stockcar club flag

Enquiry

I wanted to please get comment from the mayor following my latest story on the Rotorua Stockcar Club's use of the Confederate flag -

'Embroiled in a controversy': Rotorua Stockcar Club to rethink Confederate flag

The Rotorua Stockcar Club will reconsider its teams' symbol - the Confederate flag - next month. The club has confirmed members will decide whether to "rebrand" at their Annual General Meeting.

I know we discussed this for the initial story last week but considering the huge public reaction on social media, the massive turnout to protests in New Zealand on the weekend and this update from the club in today's story, I think it's important I report the mayor's stance on this.

I hope to please ask her:

* Whether she thinks the club should change its flag and why.

* If she has been concerned about the use of the flag in the past.

* If the use of the flag has been raised with her before and if so how regularly.

* What impact she thinks the use of the flag has on Rotorua's 'tatau tatau' motto and tourism.

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

This is a matter for the club to consider, but anything that symbolises disharmony should be well thought through.