28 October 2020
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: CBD and Safe City Guardians
Enquiry
I've had a couple of businesses in the CBD get in touch with me saying they are disappointed the City Guardians and security patrols are no longer in the CBD. They say they were the only ones who made them feel safe, especially walking to and from their cars late at night and early in morning. They said they also appreciated how quickly they could get a response from them, as opposed to calling 111.
Another emailed me saying they were surprised to hear about it in the media as they didn't know or were consulted by the council. They said the used to call the guardians daily and are unsure who to call now for the rats and mice nuisances.
I've just had a chat to a few others in the CBD who are saying the opposite, that it has quietened down and there isn't anywhere near the trouble in the CBD that there used to be so they support the wind down in security.
Would the council want to comment on how things have been going since the patrols wound down a couple of weeks ago? I will of course repeat what was in your previous press release/response about how the council intends to keep an eye on it and monitor the situation etc, as well as the reasons for the change.
Subsequent:
just talked to Sarah Pearson from Honeycomb (she was the one who emailed) and she is being critical about the council not telling businesses beforehand they intended to stop the guardians and security patrols so those comments would need some reaction if that's ok.
She said she rang the council about 10 days ago asking for an explanation as to why the guardians were no longer there and said no one's called her back.
She said she would regularly use them to move on people acting drunk and drugged and generally not providing a good look for the CBD.
She said she would rather see her rates money spent on security than tulips.
I'm just wondering with the repurposing of the guardians, could these businesses still call them to move on troublemakers outside their shops etc like they have done in the past?
Response
From Operations Group Manager Jocelyn Mikaere:
"The Safe City Guardian role refresh was prompted by Council seeing a 49 per cent drop in reported incidents in the CBD and an increase in police staffing.
In their new role, the guardians continue to have a presence in the CBD but as ambassadors and observers rather than being security focussed. The hours they spend in the CBD are similar to what they previously worked and they remain flexible to be present during busy times.
Guardians and staff monitoring the inner city CCTV network continue to feed relevant information to the police. This provides an element of security through their presence in the CBD and will alert Council and police to any emerging issues, concerns, or matters raised with them through their ongoing relationships with businesses.
Since the transition, the guardians have visited numerous businesses in the CBD to discuss the change and conduct a survey which will help them to better understand how they can support the business community. Those visits are ongoing with the aim to have made contact with everyone in the CBD over the next few weeks.
As we heard from Community Constable O'Keefe earlier this month, the local police team has recently increased and they are now well equipped to respond to inner city issues as they arise. We encourage anyone who sees suspicious or disorderly behaviour to report it to the police straight away by phoning 111. This means that the police are able to monitor trends and build an accurate picture of what is going on in the CBD."
More information:
- The Guardians will still provide timely and relevant information to partner agencies such as the police to assist with safety in the CBD.
- Council retains flexibility to further review and adapt the role of the Guardians to meet community needs.
- Suspicious or disorderly behaviour should be reported immediately to the police by calling 111.
- CCTV continues to be regularly monitored seven days a week, particularly in peak time periods.NOTE TO REPORTER: it would be good to repeat what was outlined by Community Constable O'Keeffe in the 6 October release re increased police staff and reduction in CBD incidents - which was also noted by Council - and we presume that as people are commenting on 111 response times you are also getting comment from police? They may also be able to tell you if any incidents have been reported relating to staff walking to their cars and tips for businesses concerned for staff safety.
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Media: Rotorua Weekeder
Topic: Diwali Night Ride event
Enquiry
I was wondering if it's possible for me to do a preview story on the Diwali Night Ride and get a few comments to the questions below?
- Why do you encourage people to come along to the Diwali Night Ride?
- Why is biking a great activity for families/the community?
- What are you looking forward to about the event?
- How does it feel to be able to hold this event considering how this year has been?
- Can people just turn up or do they register?
- Is there anything you would like add?
- Are there any photos available from previous Diwali Night Rides?
Response
From Georgie Griffiths, Bikes in Schools & Active Modes Facilitator
Why do you encourage people to come along to the Diwali Night Ride?
It's a fun night out for the whole whānau. Everyone decorates their bikes with lights which looks awesome in the dark, and kids especially find riding at night really exciting. It's a chance to meet new people and explore some pathways that you may not have been on before.
Why is biking a great activity for families/the community?
Rotorua is perfect for getting around by bike - it's flat and compact, with a growing network of shared paths that connect our neighbourhoods to the CBD. You can skip the traffic, it's easy to find a bike park, and biking is good for you and the planet.
What are you looking forward to about the event?
This is the second time we have held the Diwali Ride, and we are hoping to get even more people along this year. Last year it was so cool to see a train of twinkling lights winding along the lakefront, and the huge smiles on the kids' faces.
How does it feel to be able to hold this event considering how this year has been?
2020 has been a stressful year, and many people use biking as an outlet for their physical and mental health. Thankfully, we have been able to ride for our health and wellbeing all year round, and are grateful to be able to share this with others to celebrate Diwali.
Can people just turn up or do they register?
There is no need to register. Simply turn up to enjoy the fun with your decorated bike and helmet.
Is there anything you would like to add?
The Diwali ride is a 3km easy ride from the Government Gardens along the Rotorua Lakefront area.
For more bike events follow Safe and Sustainable Journeys Rotorua on Facebook, or contact cycling@rotorualc.nz.
Are there any photos available from previous Diwali Night Rides?
See attached (reporter was sent photos)
Also just checking I have the details correct - Saturday, November 7, 7.15pm, meet at Te Runanga Tea Rooms, at the Government Gardens. Free?
Correct
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Re-naming of forest landmarks
Enquiry
When will Long Mile Rd be renamed (officially) and please tell me more about that process - is it just an internal process or one with LINZ input?
Why will it be renamed (I realise you've put a bit of an explanation in your media release [see HEREhttps://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/news/Pages/default.aspx?newsItem=8807], but I'm after an attributable response on that)? / Why is it considered important to rename / return the name?
When you say 'references to the area will return' in the media release - that area - what is it usually referred to as right now? Just for clarity.
How did the renaming idea come about - who approached who etc and why?
Response
1. When will Long Mile Rd be renamed (officially) and please tell me more about that process - is it just an internal process or one with LINZ input?
From Chair of CNI Iwi Holdings Ltd, Bronco Carson:
"An important aspect of the Whakarewarewa Forest Development has been creating opportunities to tell the pakiwaitara (stories) of mana whenua.
"As part of this, Long Mile Road is being renamed Tītokorangi Drive, to reflect the original name of the whenua.
"Tītokorangi was the original pā site of Tangaroamihi - the earliest settler to travel inland from Maketū after the Arawa waka landed. In the early 1900s, the Tī was dropped and Tokorangi became the common name for this part of the forest. References to the area will now return to the original name, Tītokorangi."
From Council's Operations Group Manager Jocelyn Mikaere:
"We are currently in the process of changing the name. Tītokorangi Drive signage is scheduled to be in place by the end of summer and will be updated on maps as the signage is replaced.
"This is not a public road. The landowners have allowed public use of this road to enter the forest. As such, it is not a gazetted road through LINZ and Council can complete the name change process. The process involves informing affected parties and emergency services which is currently underway."
2. Why will it be renamed (I realise you've put a bit of an explanation in your media release, but I'm after an attributable response on that)? / Why is it considered important to rename / return the name?
See above response to Q1.
3. When you say 'references to the area will return' in the media release - that area - what is it usually referred to as right now? Just for clarity.
Info only - While the entire forest is commonly referred to as the Whakarewarewa Forest, the forest is actually made up of several forestry blocks, one of which is the Tokorangi Forest block (also commonly known at the Redwoods). Going forward, this forest block will be referred to as Tītokorangi Forest.
4. How did the renaming idea come about - who approached who etc and why?
From Council's Operations Group Manager Jocelyn Mikaere:
"Council and CNI Iwi Holdings Ltd have been working collaboratively over the past two years to establish how best to tell the stories of mana whenua through the project. Having culturally significant names for key areas and renaming historical sites will help us to do this, along with other story telling elements which are currently being developed." ________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: TV One
Topic: CBD liquor licences
Enquiry
I am investigating the number of liquor licences in city centres, reaching out to all cities in NZ.
Can I please find out how many off-licence liquor licences there are within a 3km radius of Rotorua Lakes Council's main building? Can I have this number broken down separately into supermarkets and liquor stores.
Response
The following information was provided:
Please see the list of off-licence premises below. Please note 'supermarkets' also include the likes of superettes and small grocery stores like Four Square etc.
X10 Liquor Stores
X1 Remote Sale
X3 Restaurant/Tavern
X1 Hotel
X8 Supermarkets ________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Population growth data
Enquiry
I am just touching base to see if you keep population estimate data. I am asking because Tauranga City Council does and it has predictions on how much its population is expected to grow by 2028 and what suburb is expected to see the most growth.
Could you let me know if this is possible?
Response
The following link was provided:
