26 January 2017

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Chinese New Year

Inquiry

I am working on a story about the Chinese New Year starting on Saturday. I was wondering if the Night Market was planning on doing anything for this in the next week or so, or if there were any other events being run through the council for the Chinese New Year. Here are a few questions regarding this below:

- Will the Rotorua Night Market be doing anything to celebrate Chinese New Year this year? If so, when and what will be involved?

- How many people attended the Chinese New Year event at the Night Market last year, are you expecting a similar turn out?

- Is the council running any other events in relation to the Chinese New Year? If so what are the details and what will it involve?

- Why is important to recognise events such as the Chinese New Year?

Response

Response from Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley -

Council is always happy to work with and assist any group in the community that wants to put on celebrations or events. We try and work with a variety of groups to give as many as possible the opportunity to highlight and share their cultures to showcase our diverse community.

Last year's celebration of Chinese New Year at the Rotorua Night Market was very popular. Council also helped with the Filipino event at the market in November last year and we are now focussed on Matariki in June.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Rats and Pests in residential homes

Inquiry

We have been contacted by a local woman who is having real trouble with rats and bugs at the moment. I was wondering if it is possible to get answers to the following questions from an appropriate person:

- Do the council step in at any time when people are having trouble with the likes of rats and bugs?

- If so, for what sort of situation would they step in and what are they able to do?

- How many enquiries have you received over the last couple of months in regards to rats?

- Are there other pests or bugs you often get enquiries about? How many have there been in the last couple of months?

- Does the council have advice to people are experiencing rat or pest problems?

Response

Rotorua Daily Post were advised that pest control (rats, bugs etc) at residential properties are not dealt with by Rotorua Lakes Council. It was suggested that they check with Bay of Plenty Regional Council to see if they can offer any further advice.