5 September 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Complaints about the homeless shelter

Inquiry

The reporter was following up on complaints from neighbouring businesses to the homeless shelter/drop-in centre on Pukuatua St.

They were making further complaints about the location of the shelter, including the fact they've been forced to close their business because of the loitering.

• How many complaints has the council received in relation to the night shelter?
• What is the nature of these complaints?
• We understand there is a group of people who meet regularly about this, who is in that group?
• What is being done to ease the impact on surrounding Pukuatua St businesses and patrons?

Response

Please attribute this to Rotorua Lakes Council Kaiwhakahaere Māori (Group Manager Māori), Gina Rangi.

Council knows there are concerns about loitering and anti-social behaviour on Pukuatua Street and has been working closely with local businesses and organisations, including the police, City Safe Guardians and Māori wardens to see how we can work together to address the problem.

Council received one complaint about loitering on Pukuatua Street which prompted Council staff to visit businesses in the area and assess the situation. This resulted in further concerns being shared and a community safety group coming together.

Progress is being made to improve the situation, for example our City Safe Guardians are encouraging people not to congregate in big groups which can be intimidating.

Council's primary focus is to ensure Rotorua is a safe and enjoyable place to be. We will continue to work with businesses and the police, but also encourage anyone who feels their safety is at risk to call the police on 111.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Former RLC employee Wallace Te Ahuru

Inquiry

The reporter asked questions for a story regarding Waitangi Trust fraudster Wallace Tamatotu Te Ahuru who has pleaded guilty to stealing $1.2 million.

Tamatotu was an employee of the Rotorua Museum from 2004 until 2012, starting his career at the age of 16 from a school work experience scheme.

He worked under the museum's former director Greg McManus.

In his role at the Rotorua Musuem he worked with the accounts.

• Given his offending stemmed from falsifying accounts in his workplace and it has been reported the nature of his offending was difficult to detect, is the Rotorua Lakes Council going to audit/look into the accounts of the Rotorua Museum during the eight years he worked here?
• Do you have any comment/reaction about the case.

Response

Please attribute this to Rotorua Lakes Council Chief Financial Officer Thomas Colle.

Mr Te Ahuru was at Rotorua Museum from 2005 to August 2012, initially as a visitor services assistant and later appointed to the role of Business Support Officer. The responsibilities of that role included day to day support for the museum director, financial support, administration and museum tours.

During his time at the Rotorua Museum no issues of concern were recorded.

Audit New Zealand reviews council's internal controls on an annual basis and we are confident that controls are in place to prevent fraudulent transactions from happening.