23 May 2019
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: New advocacy group, Evolve Rotorua
Enquiry
We are doing a story on a new advocacy group in Rotorua, explained [below]. I'm just hoping to get a bit of brief comment from Steve please about whether she thinks this is a good thing and why.
MEDIA RELEASE
New voice in town: Community leaders come together to champion a more progressive Rotorua
ROTORUA, 22 April 2019 Shaping Rotorua's Future is the tag-line of Evolve Rotorua, a new
group created this week by a number of prominent and emerging local leaders. Its founders say it's
time for a new voice in town, one that has a positive attitude, and which supports innovative ways
to progress social and economic issues.
Evolve Rotorua is a new advocacy group whose aim is to champion progressive social and economic
projects and policies for an inclusive and sustainable Rotorua. It was founded by a number of
committed Rotorua locals who are individuals involved in a variety of business and community
initiatives.
Newly elected Chairperson, Kelly Shrimpton, says We hope to bring people together, to act as a
focal point and as a connector for stakeholders who are involved in projects and plans that are
designed to better Rotorua. We want to help showcase policies and ideas that will improve our
town, and to facilitate engagement and discussion on the future of Rotorua.
Founding members include Rotorua solicitor Ben Sandford, who sets out the work the group will do:
There are a range of projects that we're initially interested in supporting, and we're always open to
hearing more ideas about plans that will help Shape Rotorua's Future. For example, we are looking
at how best we can support initiatives like: the lakefront development; the creation of a sports hub
in Rotorua; the work being done on sustainable food hubs such as through Kai Rotorua; efforts to
address the housing needs of our community including unaffordability and homelessness; the use of
our forests and Redwoods and supporting sustainable local use of the natural resources on our
doorstep; promoting Rotorua as a technology hub; amongst other ideas.
Matt Browning, one of the founders of Digital Basecamp, is another of the names behind the Evolve
Rotorua initiative. He says: We believe that in order to contribute to Shaping Rotorua's Future we
need to develop and support positive progressive plans and policies that take into account the needs
of all of our community members. We have a really vibrant town filled with interesting people and
exciting events and activities, and we need to make sure these get the support and attention they
deserve.
Gary Sullivan, founder of Nzo Industries and co-founder of Evolve Rotorua, emphasised that Evolve
Rotorua is non-political and will not be fronting or supporting any political candidates. We're a
group independent from political affiliations, but with a clear agenda to push all parties and
candidates towards thinking about the long-term needs of our town. We're focused on championing
projects and policies that will make our city a better place to live.
Claire Mahon, Director of the Global Human Rights Group, says I was keen to get involved in
helping create Evolve Rotorua as I think Rotorua is a world-class place, and it's important that we
continue to invest in progress that will benefit all who live here. There's too much emphasis on the nay-sayers, and we want to shift discussion to focus on what's great about our home and what could
be even better.
Ryan Gray, community advocate, who has also been involved from the beginning, explains: We've
been out talking with local community groups and businesses working in a range of areas, and one
thing we've noticed is that there's a lot of impressive stuff happening around town, but often it's
happening in silos. Evolve Rotorua hopes to help in communicating and sharing information and
linking together those working on similar issues.
Evolve Rotorua is set to become an active voice on many issues affecting our community and will be
pushing Council and others to be forward-looking, innovative, and positively proactive when it
comes to planning for our future.
The group plans to start promoting projects via their website and local groups or individuals who are
working on projects that will help make Rotorua better are invited to submit their info via:
https://www.evolverotorua.co.nz/submit/
You can follow what Evolve Rotorua is up to via their Facebook page and website:
http://evolverotorua.co.nz/ and https://www.facebook.com/evolverotorua/
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
I'm supportive of any local advocates for progress who are passionate about Rotorua, and passionate about contributing in a constructive way to the community's shared vision for a better future that will benefit everyone who lives in our district. Council can't do it alone and others may have ideas or identify gaps we haven't thought of.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Stuff
Topic: New advocacy group, Evolve Rotorua
Enquiry
Wanted to drop you a line to request some comment from Steve re the attached press release I received yesterday.
I wanted to ask:
Does Steve support the formation of Evolve Rotorua?
The group claims to be non-political, I wondered what she made of that?
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
I'm supportive of any local advocates for progress who are passionate about Rotorua, and passionate about contributing in a constructive way to the community's shared vision for a better future that will benefit everyone who lives in our district. Council can't do it alone and others may have ideas or identify gaps we haven't thought of.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Stuff
Topic: Complaint about Facebook post
Enquiry
This may be nothing, but thought I'd ask.
It's been suggested to me council may make a complaint to police regarding some online posts from Reynold/RDRR that involve Tania Tapsell.
Is that correct?
Response
A complaint has been forwarded to police and it is now in their hands.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Bikes in Schools
Enquiry
Hi there, I've just been to the presenting of the bikes in schools at Whakarewarewa School and spoke to Georgie Griffiths who said council facilitated the programme.
Could you please confirm if this means the council funds this?
Response
The following information was provided: Rotorua Lakes Council within its overall effort to encourage our young to bike to school employs a "Bikes in Schools" facilitator. The position is responsible to provide bike education programmes and helping schools to set up and maintain their bikes and tracks. This position is funded by the "Bike On" trust. Under this programme, each school secures its own funding, and this can come from a range of sources including community groups, trusts, public and private businesses, Government agencies and the school community. Today's bike presentation was part of Bike Barn's 'Bike it Forward' campaign. This is a scheme where people can give their older bikes to Bike Barn. Bike Barn will then refurbish them and give them to kids who don't own a bike. The Rotorua store contacted Council, and the Bikes in Schools facilitator helped arrange this donation of bikes to Whakarewarewa School. |
