18 June 2020
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Call to cap 'out-of-town' homeless
Enquiry
I was wondering if [the mayor] could comment please on a story I'm doing on calls from Todd McClay and others in tourism and hospitality for the Government to cap out-of-town people seeking emergency housing help in Rotorua.
I'm hearing from locals they fear that Rotorua's success could be it's failure, in the sense that we are doing well in some areas with our homeless care/wrap around services etc, but word is getting out that Rotorua will look after you, so it's a good place to come.
They say this is having an impact on the number of beds available in Rotorua for domestic visitors (evidence Queen's Birthday weekend when Rotorua was at capacity) and therefore there is a trickle down affect on restaurants/bars and tourism attractions.
Questions for the mayor:
As mayor, do you think this concern is valid?
Do you support a cap on out-of-towners so we can focus on housing our own? Why/why not?
Additional information provided by reporter when asked for further details and context:
There is no evidence as MSD says although they collate that information, they will not release it for privacy reasons for the clients.
That is part of the problem as it's just suspected. Todd McClay (and others) says when you walk around and talk to businesses it doesn't feel like they are all locals (a lot of course are).
Those in the business of housing the homeless don't deny they have out of towners in their motels and that they are approached by MSD to house out of town families etc.
I have also door knocked motels and ask and got mixed response of where people had come from.
The latest count is 325 "households" being looked after with emergency housing. McClay is calling for no more out-of-towners and for our resources to only help locals to ensure Rotorua's tourism industry can build back.
He has spoken to me only, not issued a media release.
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
It's obviously important for Rotorua to have sufficient accommodation options for visitors, particularly as we look to get our economy moving again, and we want visitors to have a positive experience.
The fact motels are needing to be used for emergency housing is an issue.
More and better emergency, transitional and social housing for locals in need is something our district housing strategy addresses but increasing our housing stock will take time and that's a frustration for us all.
People deserve to have a roof over their heads and a cap on out-of-towners doesn't necessarily recognise the complexity involved in housing people in need.
However, it's certainly my expectation that we are predominantly looking after our own, and I would be concerned if there were evidence of a growing trend to send people here from elsewhere.
We have previously been given assurances that is not the case and I will seek those assurances again.
Rotorua Economic Development was also approached for comment and provided the following response from CE Michelle Templer:
We work hard in partnership with the local tourism industry to inspire New Zealanders to come to Rotorua and have a positive experience.
We have had feedback from industry and visitors that the extended use of motels for emergency housing is having an impact on visitors' perception of the destination.
No one should have to live for long periods in a motel room and we would like to see other solutions actively pursued.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: TERAX
Enquiry
*NOTE: This is the latest in a series of enquiries, dating back to August 2019, relating to Council's decision in July 2018 to wind up TERAX.
Follow ups (from TERAX enquiries) for clarification:
- Why did the chief financial officer say in an O&M meeting in 2018 that the figure was "about $7.8 million"? (Here, starts 2.24)
- Was the second WMF returned to the government or was it not received (though approved) in the first place?
Response
The following clarifications were provided:
- As per his response during the meeting, that was his understanding and recollection at the time.
- None of the approved $4.7m grant was drawn down/received.
