3 August 2018

Media: Various media

Topic: Offensive sign at Hell's Gate

Inquiry

Various media inquiried with Destination Rotorua regarding a sign at Hell's Gate which some have found offenive and which the attraction has since removed. It depicts, in cartoon fashion, a Maori cooking a Pakeha in a pot.

It appears it may have been there for some time but has perhaps been repainted/refreshed and the story broke following a social media post by someone who found it offensive.

Response

Destination Rotorua Chief Executive Michelle Templer responded:

• Her personal view is that this is not an appropriate sign;
• It is outdated and does not align with Rotorua's destination brand or destination aspirations;
• Hell's Gate did the right thing by taking it down.

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Media: Marlborough Express

Topic: Doggy doo bins

Inquiry

A reporter wanted to know if Rotorua district had bins specifically for dog poo, whether it provided poo bags and whether those bags were biodegradable

Response

The following information was provided:

Regarding bins: We don't have bins specifically for dog poo.

Regarding bags: Biodegradable dog poo bags are available from council and from the iSite in our Redwoods forest. This is something the Rotorua council has been doing for a long time now (providing bags that is) although we are unable to tell you exactly how long.