22 September 2020
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Geese at Rotorua lakefront
Enquiry
I understand some businesses and traffic around the transition of Lake Rd / Tūtānekai St are having some issues with geese / swans - I've heard reports birds have seemed to have "moved" to near Terrace Kitchen.
Apparently they used to be located by the old Scout Hall, but now they're crossing the road and cars are having to avoid them, and they're defecating of the pavement and road. My sources suggest the birds have been disrupted from their usual habitat due to the Lakefront redevelopment.
Can you please tell me more about this, including what pre-planning was done to mitigate the effect of the development on nearby wildlife, whether the council is aware of the current problem and what is being done to fix it?
Follow up question:
I have some comments from a local business manager too now I'd like to give the council right of reply to.
Barry Mabey, nearby business manager:
He said he had spoken to Rotorua Lakes Council, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and DoC about the problem [with the geese - stopping traffic and particularly the faeces on driveways and footpaths] and "none want to take responsibility".
"It's not the geese's fault, it's just the development that's been going on."
Mabey said the issue had been going on for about three weeks.
He had been working at his business for three years and the birds had always stayed at the lakefront until recently.
He believed it was a district council issue "as they're doing the development".
"It's a total lack of responsibility."
Response
From Council's Sport, Recreation & Environment Manager, Rob Pitkethley:
We are aware that the geese have migrated towards Tūtānekai Street/Lake Road which has caused some concern among businesses in the area.
We have advised any business that has been in contact that continual discouragement will deter the birds from congregating in the area. It's also important that the birds aren't being fed by people as generally these types of birds will migrate to wherever there is food. A reduced number of people at the lakefront may have prompted the birds to move to a more populated area.
Infracore, as part of their regular cleaning programme, clean the pavements in this area every day, seven days a week. We are monitoring the situation to see if cleaning needs to increase. We will also keep an eye on the population of the geese and keep in contact with business owners in the area.
The Lakefront Redevelopment has included the planning and monitoring of any negative impact on protected species including kōura, the native scaup, and swans. Kōura were relocated prior to construction and new kōura habitats are being created in specific areas to encourage kōura back to the lakefront once construction is complete. ________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Herald Focus
Topic: Change in COVID alert levels
Enquiry
Reporter requested video interview with Mayor Chadwick regarding COVID-19 and change in alert levels.
Response
The mayor was interviewed in person.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Lynmore principal's citizenship celebration
Enquiry
I was hoping to get a couple of comments from the mayor in regards to her making a special appearance at Lynmore School to surprise Lorraine Taylor with a citizenship celebration that was organised by the school.
What did you think when you were first approached to be part of this celebration which could not originally go ahead due to Covid restrictions?
As mayor by your estimation how many new citizens have you welcomed to Rotorua since you started your tenure?
Why are the citizenship ceremonies so close to your heart?
Response
Note to reporter: Please remember that people who receive citizenship are not new arrivals to NZ, they are often people (like Lorraine Taylor) who have lived here for quite some time, decades even, before going through the process of officially becoming NZ citizens. So it wouldn't be right to say, for instance, that the mayor has welcomed xxx number of people to Rotorua in her time as mayor because many are not new to Rotorua - or NZ.
Information: Mayor Chadwick has hosted about 10 citizenship ceremonies per year, awarding about 30 people with citizenship at each ceremony, so a total of about 1830 since she became mayor in 2013. There has been just the one citizenship ceremony so far this year due to COVID. People have been receiving their certificates in the mail - you can check that with the Department of Internal Affairs which administers citizenship.
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
It was lovely to be invited to be part of the school celebration for Lorraine's citizenship. I've known Lorraine for about 20 years so it was nice to be part of the surprise presentation at assembly - the kids were very excited that she is now officially a Kiwi.
Citizenship ceremonies are always very special and I feel very privileged to be part of that special journey in my role as mayor, meeting people from all over the world who have chosen New Zealand - and Rotorua - as home and appreciate the privilege of being here. It's always uplifting, often emotional for those receiving citizenship, and we hear some incredible stories.
