28 January 2020
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Homelessness in Rotorua
Enquiry
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has told me Rotorua is one of the nation's six 'homelessness hotspots', along with Auckland, Napier/Hastings, Wellington, Hamilton and Northland.
From the Mayor, I would like to know:
- What is your reaction to Rotorua being one of HUD's homelessness hotspots?
- Were you aware of this status already?
- Is it a fair description of Rotorua, in your opinion?
- Is it helpful?
- What implications might it have on Rotorua's marketing image? Is this a concern to you?
- What is in your plan, from a policy standpoint, to help remove Rotorua from this list?
- Is there a way the central government could better support the council and Rotorua in this area?
- Any other point you may wish to make on this topic.
This is question and answer for a news story, so I'm just after short answers to these (although longer answers are welcome if you wish).
Below is the information in full from HUD for background:
Homelessness Hotspots
As part of the Government's strengthened approach to homelessness, six areas have been identified for focus where homelessness is an increasing and serious issue (hotspots) - including Rotorua.
The hotspot locations are Northland, Auckland Region, Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier/ Hastings, and the Wellington Region. This does not mean that there isn't high levels of need in other areas.
The hotspots were identified based on several factors, including advice from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) regional experts and demand for Emergency Housing Special Need Grants (EHSNGs).
There is no ranking amongst the six hotspots. Each region has a unique set of challenges to address homelessness and housing supply.
HUD uses a variety of information to understand housing need in different areas, and publishes the Housing Quarterly Report and regional fact sheets with the latest information on public housing supply and demand, housing support, and movement of people through the public housing system
Housing First
Housing First is our primary response to ending chronic homelessness in New Zealand. Housing First is a proven, internationally recognised approach to house and support homeless people with multiple, high and complex needs.
Access to housing is just the first step in addressing homelessness for people in Housing First. The goal is to help people stay housed and address the underlying issues that resulted in long-term homelessness. Housing First recognises it's much easier for people to address issues, such as poor mental or physical health, substance abuse and unemployment, once they are housed.
At one level, the approach is simple: provide housing first, then offer wrap-around support and services to help people stay housed, recover and improve their lives.
Housing First Rotorua, supported by HUD for the Government, aims to put an end to homelessness in the Bay of Plenty city. The partnership between Lifewise and Te Taumata O Ngāti Whakaue Iho Ake Trust and LinkPeople has operated since April 2019.
Background:
To help address the issue of Homelessness in New Zealand Budget 2019:
- Provided $283 million to fund and maintain over 2,800 Transitional Housing places through-out New Zealand. That funding will allow the Ministry to meet the operating costs of existing places and increase the supply of long-term Transitional Housing places in areas of highest need.
- provided funding of $197 million to strengthen and expand the Housing First programme in areas of high demand. This funding ensures that our programmes are sustainable and can continue to deliver services for more than 2,700 people and whānau over the next few years.
- It also provided $19.8 million in funding for Housing Support Products to help people with a housing need sustain or access housing and prevent homelessness. This will allow MSD to support an additional 2,250 people per year access new housing or sustain their existing accommodation.
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
"Our critical housing shortage and homelessness are a fact and the "hotspot" status acknowledges our urgent need and ensures we are on the radar for support and programmes like Housing First that launched in Rotorua last year.
"We work closely with the ministries of Social Development and Housing and Urban Development and, along with other key stakeholders, they are giving valuable input into our district housing plan, which also has the Government's support.
"Council aims to be an enabler for housing - through the District Plan, infrastructure investment, working with landowners and developers, advocating for Central Government investment in our district and taking the lead on a housing plan.
"Housing shortages and homelessness aren't unique to Rotorua and people understand that. It's also important for our district that Rotorua remains a desirable place to work, live, invest and visit so our efforts there need to continue alongside development of our housing plan".
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Council response to Coronavirus
Enquiry
I'm doing a story on the Coronavirus and the impact in the region and was wondering what steps Council is putting in place in the midst of the crisis?
- how will the council help the tourism industry in the city which will likely be impacted?
- what measures will be taken to keep locals safe?
- are there any fears about racism towards the Chinese/Asian community/tourists?
- what advice does the council have for locals and tourists?
- are there any concerns for the homeless? I know Chinese people smoke cigarettes a lot and the homeless tend to pick up cigarette butts off the ground. How will the homeless be kept safe?
Response
From Rotorua Economic Development CE Michelle Templar:
We have been informed that China's Ministry of Tourism and Culture has notified tourism bureaus in China to suspend the operation of group tour and flight and accommodation packages. While we don't exactly know the impact this will have on Rotorua's tourism industry, it will impact Chinese arrivals here over the short term.
China has always been an important international market for Rotorua and remains a key part of our long term visitor strategy. China is the fourth highest source of international visitors to Rotorua, with Chinese tourists last year contributing nearly $40m to the Rotorua economy. While we are seeing more of the high-value free independent travel visitor coming to Rotorua in place of large tour groups, group travel remains part of the mix.
The health and safety of locals and visitors is the number one priority so while the coronavirus remains a concern, we will continue to take the advice of the Ministry of Health and Tourism New Zealand, who are all keeping a watch on World Health Organisation recommendations. We have circulated an update to the local industry, which includes a fact sheet and advice from the Ministry of Health, which we are recommending local businesses implement to keep their people and visitors safe.
We are also encouraging them to keep us up to date on impacts on their business so we can shape our destination response.
We continue to work in partnership with the local tourism and hospitality industry to promote Rotorua's diverse range of experiences to domestic holiday makers, who currently contribute 57% of our annual visitor spend, and to increase visitation from Australia, North America and other key international markets.
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Media: Stuff
Topic: Council response to Coronavirus
Enquiry
Hoping I can get some comment from Steve today re the coronavirus issue?
Given Rotorua's status as a tourism hub, is she concerned that potential exists for the virus to be transmitted to someone here from a visitor?
Is she aware of any medical advice that may have been given to some of our tourism centres here?
Does she expect to see a drop off in visitors - and a subsequent economic impact - in the wake of the emergence of this virus, travel bans in China, etc?
Questions for Rotorua Economic Development:
Have you heard any reports of tourism centres seeing reduced bookings or cancellations at present?
China is of course an important tourism market for Rotorua - is there concern about the impact if this crisis continues, specifically issues like travel bans?
Has any advice been issued from the Ministry of Health about this issue?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
This is an evolving situation and we will be guided by the health authorities that are the lead agencies for this matter and are responsible for making decisions in the best interests of the wider New Zealand public. In them, we have the upmost confidence. Council will rely on their expert advice and direction and will provide any assistance required.
From Rotorua Economic Development CE Michelle Templar:
We have been informed that China's Ministry of Tourism and Culture has notified tourism bureaus in China to suspend the operation of group tour and flight and accommodation packages. While we don't exactly know the impact this will have on Rotorua's tourism industry, it will impact Chinese arrivals here over the short term.
China has always been an important international market for Rotorua and remains a key part of our long term visitor strategy. China is the fourth highest source of international visitors to Rotorua, with Chinese tourists last year contributing nearly $40m to the Rotorua economy. While we are seeing more of the high-value free independent travel visitor coming to Rotorua in place of large tour groups, group travel remains part of the mix.
The health and safety of locals and visitors is the number one priority so while the coronavirus remains a concern, we will continue to take the advice of the Ministry of Health and Tourism New Zealand, who are all keeping a watch on World Health Organisation recommendations. We have circulated an update to the local industry, which includes a fact sheet and advice from the Ministry of Health, which we are recommending local businesses implement to keep their people and visitors safe.
We are also encouraging them to keep us up to date on impacts on their business so we can shape our destination response.
We continue to work in partnership with the local tourism and hospitality industry to promote Rotorua's diverse range of experiences to domestic holiday makers, who currently contribute 57% of our annual visitor spend, and to increase visitation from Australia, North America and other key international markets.
