18 November 2020
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua markets
Enquiry
I have a couple case studies from budding entrepreneurs who have said the markets have been their saving grace in getting their name and new brand out in the public.
I am hoping Brigitte can corroborate this and say whether interest in having a stand at either of the Rotorua markets has increased, particularly since lockdown.
Also what feedback has she received from vendors about sales/local support since lockdown?
What are her predictions for the markets coming into summer? Both from a vendor and customer point of view?
And what do these trends say about the place markets have in local communities?
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council, Arts & Culture, Markets and Festival Manager Brigitte Nelson:
I have a couple case studies from budding entrepreneurs who have said the markets have been their saving grace in getting their name and new brand out in the public.
That's wonderful - we have supported many start-ups in Rotorua. We featured some during the Night Markets 10th Birthday celebrations in March this year. Which ones will you be using in the article? This post might offer some information about Brigitte https://www.facebook.com/rotoruanightmarket/posts/10157666710341014
I am hoping you can corroborate this - The Rotorua Night Market offers a ready-made audience for start-ups to test ideas and become confident in a range of skills they need to develop to progress their businesses.
We support them with menu development, presentation, marketing, health and safety planning and much more. There have been many businesses that started at the Night Market and now have their own premises and continue to return to trade at the Night Market because they love it!
Has interest in having a stand at either of the Rotorua markets increased, particularly since lockdown?
We absolutely have experienced an influx of enquiries from people interested in trading at both the Rotorua Farmers Market and the Rotorua Night Market since lockdown. People are diversifying and getting creative to find new income streams for themselves. We have really focussed on including new Rotorua based stallholders at the Night Market to support the local community and ensure a good range of products on offer.
Also what feedback have you received from vendors about sales/local support since lockdown?
Stallholders at both markets are feeling the pressure with lack of international visitors reducing overall customer numbers. However the holiday periods have seen bigger crowds than ever before as New Zealanders explore their own backyard. We have done a big push to increase stallholders at the Sunday Farmers Market now that we are in peak season for fresh produce.
What are your predictions for the markets coming into summer? Both from a vendor and customer point of view?
The Night Market is fully booked with stallholders over the summer months and the Farmers Market is nearly at capacity. We are hoping for big customer numbers throughout the summer with national travel and good weather forecast.
And what do these trends say about the place markets have in local communities?
After the isolation of lockdown, the markets have become more important than ever to be a community meeting place. Both markets offer live music which adds to the great vibe while shopping, dining and catching up with friends and whānau.
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Media: One News
Topic: Speed limit at Rerewhakaaitu School
Enquiry
Reporter requested an on-camera interview with the Mayor re the speed limit at Lake Rerewhakaaitu Primary School following interviews he had with the school principal, a parent, and a truck driver.
The principal and parent are upset the speed limit has not changed since the school children presented their concerns to council in 2018.
The Mayor was unavailable for interview. Rotorua Rural Community Baord chair Shirley Trumper agreed to be interviewed given her in depth involvement with the kaupapa.
Response
The following points were made by Mrs Trumper in response to questions asked:
Principal from Lake Rerewhakaitu Primary School said that he believes it will take a child to die, for the speed limit to change. Thoughts?
The Rural Community Board has worked really hard to mitigate the risks relating to traffic. We are well aware of their concerns and doing as much as we can to come to a solution.
Why is taking so long, the parents have been asking for years?
We don't know, we have been working from the time they brought it to Councils attention to resolve the issues. We've carried out assessments to identify what the needs are of each school and we've made Lake Rerewhakaitu Primary School a priority. We also have to work within the Waka Kotahi framework.
Can you tell me about the bureaucracy?
Concerns are listed with Council, then a review which is a slow process and then to be gazetted it has to be approved by Waka Kotahi.
Will it ever be reduced to 40km speed limit?
It won't happen in 2020 but watch for 2021. Speeds in urban areas are 40kms and it's our view that in rural areas it should be the same especially given there is more heavy traffic in rural areas.
Do you have a message to Central Government?
We really want them to come here and visit the schools and see how dangerous the roads can be.
Are you meeting with Central Government?
In mid-Dec myself and [Councillor] Fisher [Wang] are meeting with the shadow associate minister of transport and minister of rural communities to discuss this very issues.
Will anything happen soon?
We have active signs being erected to warn a school is ahead. The tender process is in place and it is hoped the signs are ordered and in place before school starts in 2021.
We also need to be mindful that with the building works currently happening at the school there has to be a plan around safety for children crossing the road.