19 April 2021
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: ANZAC Day
Enquiry
I'm looking to do another story around ANZAC Day and wondered if I could get some comment from the mayor to the below questions to add in:
- Why do you encourage the community to come along to any services they can on Anzac Day?
- How important is it for the community to be a part of it collectively?
- What do you enjoy/look forward to each year about the services?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
ANZAC Day is always an amazing community day and a wonderful opportunity for collective reflection. It's very heartwarming to see all of those who turn out, young and old, coming together to remember those who fought for us and those whose lives were lost and to acknowledge those in the service of their country today. This is one of those occasions that is imprinted in our history and the increasing number of people who attend the services shows how relevant it still is today.
We will all well remember that last year, when ANZAC Day fell during lockdown, we all stood at the bottom of our driveways - standing together apart. This year we are once again able to get together as a community which will make it even more special.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter and Stuff
Topic: Report into manhole incident
Enquiry
Reporters requested a copy of a report that was mentioned in this month's Operations & Monitoring Committee meeting agenda. The report was about an incident that happened earlier in the year when an elderly person was injured when they stepped onto a damaged manhole lid that flipped, causing the person to fall in.
Response
The reporters were advised that the matter has been referred to WorkSafe for its assessment and the report is part of that process so council is unable to release it until that is completed. Council expects to be able to make it available at a future date but that's subject to the WorkSafe process.