25 June 2020

Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Regional economic confidence survey

Enquiry

I am writing an article on the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey for the June 2020 quarter.

According to the survey, regional economic confidence fell 2 per cent from 5 to 3, although optimists still managed to outnumber pessimists, with a net 3% of households expecting economic conditions to improve over the coming year.

Weakening optimism in the region reflects the impact of Covid-19 on key industries, such as forestry, ex-food manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and non-essential retail. However, the performance of the region's large kiwifruit industry, which got off to a flying start this season with growers posting a record harvest, is likely to have buoyed spirits.

May Mayor Steve Chadwick please provide a 100 word response to the above survey findings, particularly the mention of forestry?

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

The optimism we are still seeing is heartening as we focus on standing up our local economies again. Key sectors have suffered major impacts already and we know there is more to come so we won't get a longer term view for a while yet.

Insights from four key sector groups are vital to Rotorua's Build Back Better economic recovery strategy. One group has centred on identifying opportunities for positioning Rotorua as a centre of excellence for forestry and leveraging our wood first' position.

The work of these groups will come to us soon to see how Council can contribute and support the opportunities identified.

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Media: Stuff

Topic: Managed isolation in Rotorua and Minister Woods visit

Enquiry

Dropping you a line to ask for some comment from Steve re the visit yesterday of Minister Megan Woods.

I wanted to ask:

Was Steve aware a pupil returned to Rotorua Girls' High on Monday after isolation in Auckland without a Covid-19 test?

Was that among the issues discussed with Minister Woods yesterday?

What did the Minister discuss with Steve?

Is Steve confident procedures are now in place to prevent people leaving isolation without a test?

Response

The following response was provided:

Was Steve aware a pupil returned to Rotorua Girls' High on Monday after isolation in Auckland without a Covid-19 test? no

Was that among the issues discussed with Minister Woods yesterday? no

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

The Minister asked to meet with myself and with Te Arawa representatives. It was an opportunity for her - and Commodore Webb who was also there - to reassure us regarding the procedures and protocols in place.

It was an opportunity for us to ask questions and share any concerns and to let them know about the concern we have been hearing from our community who also want reassurance and information. They took that on board and also agreed to connect with Te Arawa as tangata whenua.

We have to trust the assurances we have been given regarding this now military-run operation. I also have every confidence in the preparedness and capabilities of our local health authorities.

There is no cause for alarm. We always knew there would be a re-emergence of cases once people started coming back into New Zealand from overseas, and we've been assured the right processes are in place to deal with this.

We also need to show some compassion and manaaki for those New Zealanders who are coming home.

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Media: Radio NZ

Topic: Managed isolation in Rotorua

Enquiry

Request to interview the mayor on this morning's First Up programme on Radio NZ re Rotorua becoming a managed isolation location

Response

Key points made by the mayor:

• Reaction from community has been mixed, some concern which is understandable.
• Encouraging NZ holidaymakers to still come to Rotorua - we are geared up to welcome visitors.
• Have been given every assurance all processes and protocols will be in place and confident our local health authorities are prepared.
• This is now a military operation with more rigour in the process and we have to trust things are being run properly.
• This doesn't necessarily create new jobs in Rotorua but means more hotel workers keep their jobs and means we retain capability within the sector to be ready as soon as international visitors allowed again

You can listen to the Mayor's interview at THIS LINK on RNZ's website