22 August 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Tatau Tatau magazine
Inquiry
Following a Local Government Official Information request about Council's Tatau Tatau magazine a reporter followed up with questions:
- How many part time, full time, contract staff are hired to put out Tatau Tatau?
- How much do these staff earn?
Response
Please attribute to Jean-Paul Gaston, Group Manager, Strategy:
During the past few years Rotorua Lakes Council has sought to increase engagement with the community and increase the reach of council information through the use of multiple channels, recognising that people receive and seek news relevant to them in different ways. In an effort to reach the district's more than 72,000 residents, the council has introduced new channels, including livestreaming of meetings, a dedicated online consultation tool (Let's Talk - Korero Mai), the weekly e-panui and the bi-monthly Tatau Tatau magazine. The magazine provides a lens into the community as well as looking at council matters, projects and collaborations and sharing information about events. The magazine has largely replaced Council's use of traditional print media which has declining reach, and is delivered to about 26,000 properties throughout the district. Tatau Tatau magazine is written and designed in-house by communications staff. Council will continue to monitor and review how it communicates with the community and will continue to seek new channels and new ways to reach residents as/when appropriate.
Tatau Tatau magazine is part of business as usual for the communications team who take a collaborative approach to producing it. This is in addition to their other business as usual responsibilities including the management of the engagement opportunities outlined above, the planning and implementation of internal and external communications for Council, media relations, graphic design, and web management, among others.
Regarding your other questions:
The earnings of individual staff members involved in the production of Tatau Tatau magazine are private and confidential. However, for your information, the LGOIMA titled Official Information Request - 1 July 2018 (PR Comms Staff) (available at https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/officialinformation/OIA2018/Pages/Official-Information-Request---1-July-2018-(PR-Comms-Staff).aspx) provides the number and budget for Council's communications/public relations staff since 2016.
Council has not taken on additional staff to produce the magazine. As per the response, the magazine has largely replaced Council's use of traditional print media and is part of business as usual for the communications team.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Official opening of CBD night shelter
Inquiry
The reporter asked whether Council had any comment in regards to the official opening of Rotorua's night shelter.
Response
Please attribute to RLC Kaiwhakahere Maori Gina Rangi who has been leading Council's efforts regarding homelessness in Rotorua:
The shelter is important while work continues to establish longer term solutions to homelessness in our community.
Council will continue to work with Visions of a Helping Hand, other providers and agencies towards long-term solutions.
