30 December 2020
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Signs protesting Hemo sculpture
Enquiry
I'm following on from [the] story yesterday on the Taxpayers' Union / Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers' sign near the Hemo roundabout.
[That] story focused on the digital sign, but last night we became aware of some additional signs being put in place, that quite closely mimic Waka Kotahi NZTA's sign style
there were two signs - one of which was placed on the roadway.
I'm not sure where the 'Rotorua's Biggest Waste of Money' sign ended up exactly.
I've asked Waka Kotahi for their response too, but could you please provide me with the council's response to these signs.
I wondered too, if the council wanted to comment on the use of the full cost of the sculpture on one of the signs, which could be seen to imply all of that was public money spent on the sculpture.
Can you please also clarify if the council's contribution to the sculpture has ever changed - i.e. since the initial money was committed, has that figure increased or decreased?
Could the mayor also comment on a Rotorua Lakes councillor's (Cr Reynold Macpherson) involvement in these signs and how appropriate she thinks it is?
Response
From Acting CE Craig Tiriana:
We can't speculate about what people will understand from the signs but Rotorua Lakes Council's total contribution remains $388,000. This has been a complex project that has taken some time, with manufacturing challenges requiring innovative solutions by Rotorua's Kilwell Fibretube which stepped up to take on the project in December 2017 when the original fabricators were unable to create the design shape using stainless steel. In March 2019 Kilwell updated elected members about progress, including higher than expected final costs (from the original estimate of $500,000 to $743,029), and Council voted in favour of increasing the council's final contribution from $270,000 to $388,000.
Additional information:
Other funders and contributors include: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency ($200,000), Kilwell Fibretube, New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute |Te Puia, Rotorua Trust ($25,000), Rotorua Community Arts Trust ($15,000), Lion Foundation ($5000), Infinity Foundation ($5000), Red Stag Timber ($25,000), Rotorua Public Arts Trust (fundraising).
From Mayor Chadwick:
This work was commissioned back in 2015 and elected members voted in 2016 to provide financial support and voted in 2019 to increase Council's total contribution. It's up to individuals to have their own views but personally, I think it's better for councillors to have their say at the Council table rather than cluttering up a busy roundabout with signs.________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Magic Talk Radio
Topic: Signs protesting Hemo sculpture
Enquiry
I was wondering if either Mayor Steve Chadwick or another representative of the Rotorua Lakes Council might be available for a phone interview on Magic Talk surrounding the new statue on State highway 5 and the kickback from the Taxpayers Union?
I have Jordan Williams coming on the show in the 1pm hour on the 31st and would love to be able to get the other side to this discussion for our listening audience. It's always great to get both sides of something like this so please feel free to reach out and let me know if Steve or someone else may be available for a chat following Jordan maybe around 1.15pm over the phone.
Response
Arrangements were made for Mayor Chadwick to be interviewed on 31 December.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: New Year's Eve Night Market
Enquiry
I'm just flicking through an email to see if it will be possible to have a few comments through for a preview around the New Year's Eve Night Market.
I gave 07 348 4199 a call yesterday and someone called saying the team were having a meeting this morning and would come back to me (didn't get his name sorry), so just following up to check this will still be the case.
The type of comment I'm after is:
- What will this special Night Market include?
- Why do you encourage the community and visitors to come along?
- How does it feel to be able to have this celebration when the Glo Festival had to be cancelled? Was this the first time the Glo Fest had to be cancelled?
- Are safety or parking messages etc for the New Year's Eve Night Market?
Response
Thanks for your interest in writing a story about our Special New Year's Eve Rotorua Night Market taking place on Thursday 31 December 2020 from 5pm until 10pm.
First few questions can be attributed to Rotorua Lakes Council Arts & Culture Markets and Festivals Manager, Brigitte Nelson.
- What will this special Night Market include? We have some fantastic local entertainment with Remaster starting and finishing the market, and the talented crew from 8 Scott Ave The Musical, led by Jack Grace, giving a special performance from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Throughout the evening there will be face painting, acrobats, stilt walkers, balloon animals alongside our regular food vendors.
- Why do you encourage the community and visitors to come along? It will be a lovely family-friendly evening to gather the community together after a tough year. Come down and grab some delicious food and enjoy the great market vibe until 10pm.
- Are safety or parking messages etc for the New Year's Eve Night Market? Night Market road closures will be in place from 3pm along Tūtānekai Street, between Te Manawa and Haupapa Street. We will have QR codes available for COVID tracing and we ask if anyone is feeling unwell not to attend the market.
The following answers can be attributed to Rotorua Lakes Council Arts & Culture Marketing and Communications Lead, Kathy Nicholls:
- How does it feel to be able to have this celebration when the Glo Festival had to be cancelled? Following the cancellation of the GLO Festival in September, it is great to have an option available to whānau for New Year's Eve. While finishing at 10pm, there will be lots of fun things for kids to enjoy and a chance to bring the community and visitors together.
- Was this the first time the Glo Fest had to be cancelled? Yes
*A selection of images were provided for the newspaper's use.