22 June 2020

Media: Radio NZ (Midday Report), Radio NZ (The Panel) and TVOne

Topic: Rotorua hotels being used for managed isolation

Enquiry

The above media outlets sought interviews with Mayor Chadwick regarding Rotorua hotels being used for managed isolation of returning New Zealanders.

Response

Mayor Chadwick made the following key points:

• There is a bit of disquiet and anxiety within the community and I have sought, and received, from Defence Force, assurances regarding protocols, capability and the operation.
• I have confidence in the capability of our health services here and we had the capacity but I do not know how the decision to come to Rotorua was made, or how the hotels were selected or whether it was their choice
• Council was notified/informed this was happening but was not involved in the decision
• I was initially notified Friday that Rotorua would become a centre for managed isolation, then on Saturday told people were arriving that night
• re potential impact on tourism: hope this doesn't deter people from coming - am assured Defence Force, health authorities and police have things well under control re managed isolation and we have the capacity to still welcome visitors, as we have been in recent weeks
• Acknowledge people's anxiety following the new cases that have come via the border
• Can't speak for how the managed isolation will work in practical/operational terms
• These are our people coming home and this isn't easy for them - compassion and understanding

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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Tamaki Maori Village partnership with Toi Ohomai

Enquiry

I am widening a story today about how the Tauhara North No.2 Trust, who own Tamaki Māori Village, has gone into partnership with Toi Ohomai to provide all employees with retraining opportunities.

Here is the current online story on this: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=12341694

I was hoping to please get some comments from the mayor on this.

How do you think this will benefit the city?

Do you hope other industries may get involved in something like this?

Any other comments you wish to make on this would be great.

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

This is a great initiative and I applaud the trust's commitment to looking after its people, and giving them the best possible opportunities as we all navigate through this time of uncertainty.

There are significant potential benefits from collective responses like this for our people and our district - social, equity and wellbeing benefits for individuals and their families, and good linkage with local industry and sectors in need of workers to ensure retraining is focused where there are gaps.

This is a good example for others to follow to show care for our people by providing redeployment opportunities and options for those who need to find new jobs, and enabling them to stay local.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Ngongotaha village upgrades

Enquiry

Just a quick question on the proposals re Ngongotaha traffic upgrades - when will consultation open? Can the council confirm that yet?

Response

Reporter was informed that there is no start date for consultation at this stage.