5 March 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua tourism economy
Enquiry
I'm getting in touch as I'm working on a story around how a local tourism business is closing and going into hibernation after 16 years as a casualty of Covid and no international tourists being able to come through.
I'm just sending the below through as a right of reply for a couple of the comments made - can we please get a response from the mayor?
- Saying the tourism industry in Rotorua has been resilient and has had good, busy weekends with visitors (apparently something which was mentioned during a tv interview) is softening the reality and dire situation many local businesses are facing.
- The reality is tourism businesses are having to go into hibernation especially with the quieter winter months now here, and there is no help for them.
Can we also get some comments to the following questions?
- Do you think once international tourism is steadily coming back into the country there should be grants available from government to help tourism businesses in hibernation to start up again?
- Do you think there is more that could be done for tourism businesses struggling?
Response
reporter was referred to Rotorua Economic Development for information regarding Government support for businesses impacted by the pandemic.
*Also please note the response below is a general response from Mayor Chadwick and not a direct response to the comments you have shared from Mr Berryman.
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
We are very aware of the significant challenges and the long road ahead for tourism operators and I acknowledge that some businesses are feeling the impact more acutely than others.
I encourage the business community to link up with each other, and with those organisations such as Rotorua Economic Development, who are currently exploring new and innovative ways to tap into the domestic market, and the Business Chamber that can support and assist them during this uncertain period.
Council continues to work closely with Central Government and its agencies to ensure we get the right sort of support for our district to support those that are struggling. Provincial Growth Funding and other Government investment into Rotorua over the past few years has made a difference to our place and our people, and we will continue to explore opportunities that may arise through Government policy.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Red Stag development
Enquiry
I was hoping to get some comments from the mayor on a story I am working on - there is some info below. The new plant is in the final commissioning stage. My deadline is 10 am tomorrow. Thanks
How important will this development be for Rotorua and why?
Red Stag says there are huge opportunities at the moment in the environmental sector do you think there could be other opportunities for businesses to pivot around this and why?
How does the council support businesses in the city - for example who does it network with or contribute money to (how much) for other organisations who are involved with businesses?
And is the council aware of maybe through new consents of any new businesses who are coming to Rotorua and who are they?
A $40 million large-scale timber processing plant in Rotorua will create upwards of 100 jobs but the company behind the project has opportunities available now - as the industry struggles to keep up with demand.
Red Stag Wood Solutions Group chief executive Marty Verry said the new facility would produce cross-laminated timber for surging markets that wanted environmentally friendly ''modern new age materials''.
The company performed stronger than expected last year with bright forecasts ahead and ''we have continuous openings and opportunities at any given time'', Verry said.
Machinists, forklift drivers, operators, maintenance, fitters and particularly night shift operators were required as it was increasing its shift patterns due to demand.
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick, Rotorua Lakes Council:
"We've heard that while some sectors are really feeling the impact of the pandemic, our primary sectors are thriving. Now more than ever, Council and the wider business community in Rotorua is focused on adding value to our products and looking at new ways of working to create more opportunities to keep locals in employment.
"The forestry sector is incredibly important to Rotorua. It is one of the district's key strengths and has significant opportunity for growth. In 2015, Council adopted its Wood First Policy to facilitate and encourage wood as a preferred, sustainable building material to help support this sector. The policy recognises the economic, environmental, cultural and social significance of wood and promotes increased use of wood in housing and commercial construction. This is also a key priority in Council's Draft Economic Development Strategy Framework.
"I want to congratulate Red Stag Wood Solutions on their innovation which has opened up a range of employment opportunities for Rotorua residents at such a critical time. I look forward to seeing the new plant open in the near future."
Further information:
- Rotorua Economic Development is a Council Controlled Organisation with the purpose of supporting the development of the Rotorua economy. Rotorua Economic Development receives funding from Council, along with other revenue, to carry out this work.
- Rotorua Economic Development encourages commercial investment, employment, tourism and population growth through a wide range of initiatives including advertising campaigns, business events, recreation events and district development.
- There are a number of large developments happening across Rotorua that create opportunities for economic stimulus - QE Health upgrades, Waiariki Spa Development
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Unemployment
Enquiry
I am seeking comment from the mayor for a story I am doing about the jobseeker benefit and the accommodation supplement.
Accommodation supplement:
Across the region, nearly 34,000 people received the accommodation supplement in January, with nearly 9000 people in Rotorua.
While there was a slight dip in the number of grants given between December and January, the general trend showed a significant climb compared to the same time last year.
The grants shot up 2,600 in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty in a year, and about 1,230 in Rotorua.
Jobseeker benefit:
Nearly one in 10 work-ready people in the Bay of Plenty were on the jobseeker benefit in January. - 4140 in Rotorua.
This added up to 21,198 people in the region in Jan, which is up 38 per cent at the same time last year.
The region had the second-highest number of beneficiaries in the country in Jan, only behind Auckland.
- What is your response to these high numbers?
- What is the council doing to support agencies trying to address the issues these benefits are highlighting?
Any other comments are welcome
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
"I am very aware of the issues our district and community are facing. The metrics were poor prior to COVID-19 and have been manifestly exacerbated by the pandemic. In recent months, the unpredictability of changing Alert Levels has had additional impacts on employment.
The figures show a very serious situation for the region however, with Rotorua making up more than 50% of those numbers it's of critical importance for our district that we get specific solutions to address these issues. We are working directly with all Government agencies to ensure that Rotorua is made an urgent priority.
You will also start to see information come out about Council's 2021 - 2031 Long-Term Plan which has a clear focus on confronting some of the district's most pressing issues. The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Long-Term Plan in April and this will help inform elected members' decisions about the actions required by Council over the next few years."
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Okere Falls shared path
Enquiry
I'd like to put some questions to mayor Steve Chadwick regarding a proposed shared path on SH33 at Okere Falls. I will need a response by midday tomorrow. As always, if there is any additional comment or information you would like included, please let me know.
- How many meetings, if any, have you already had regarding the proposed shared path?
- What impact will the proposed shared path have for Rotorua and the local community, and do you support the proposed plans? If so why? If not, why not?
- Is the council considering any other future project in the area that could benefit from this shared path, or work in with it? If so, please elaborate.
- Who will benefit the most from this proposed path? (local community, tourism, etc)
- What concerns, if any, do you have about it?
- We understand there is a push from the local community for an underpass by the Okere Falls Store. Do you think the proposed pedestrian refuge islands will sufficiently keep people crossing the road safe (instead of an underpass)? If so, why? If not, why not?
- How much is the council planning to pay or contribute towards this project?
Response
From Infrastructure Group Manager Stavros Michael:
The proposed shared path and other safety improvements on State Highway 33 are part of the wider programme of works (Connect Rotorua) led by Waka Kotahi to improve the safety and functionality of state highways in and around Rotorua. This programme has been in place since 2016 and Council and Waka Kotahi staff meet regularly to discuss all Connect Rotorua projects.
NOTE TO REPORTER: please note Mayor Chadwick is not involved in these operational meetings.
Since 2016, Rotorua Lakes Council has undertaken a programme of work to establish a shared path network across Rotorua to support safe and sustainable travel options for our community. We know that pedestrians, cyclists and people looking to use other modes of transport feel more comfortable when they are separated from traffic and Council has documented significant uplift in walking and cycling since the network has begun to take shape. The addition of a shared path on State Highway 33 aims to achieve the same safety and connectivity objectives as the urban shared path network and we are strongly in support of these proposals.
Rotorua Lakes Council is working together with Rotorua Lakes Community Board and Waka Kotahi to identify and implement road safety and amenity improvements around lakeside communities - especially where State Highways are central to those communities. This includes further consideration about what is required to improve safety within the vicinity of the busy Okere Falls area, and improvements to State Highway 30/33 intersection and pedestrian safety for schools along State Highway 30 (near the airport).
All users of this road corridor stand to benefit from the proposed improvements. For the local community it means enhanced amenity and safe access while visitors will experience a better perception of safety and greater enjoyment of the area during their visit.
We have no major concerns about this proposal. We are supportive of the incremental improvements that are undertaken by Waka Kotahi on or near the three state highway corridors in the Connect Rotorua programme. We look forward to an ongoing programme that will continue the optimisation of the transport network and address a number of our district's needs for residential development, economic activity, tourism and safe and sustainable transport options.
We are very aware of the suggestions to construct an underpass there and we understand the rationale for these suggestions including the concerns of locals and visitors to the area. At the same time, we are aware of the key technical, environmental and financial considerations that make such a proposal problematic. We believe that the current proposal in conjunction with reduced speed limits will provide a great platform for a safer environment for all users. However, Council and Waka Kotahi will continue to monitor the area and assess potential further improvements.
Council won't be providing financial support to this current proposal. However we may in the future jointly fund further improvements with Waka Kotahi.
From Rotorua Mayor Chadwick:
"I am confident in the work that Rotorua Lakes Council and Waka Kotahi are doing in partnership to address a number of safety concerns that I have heard from our community over the years. These improvements are happening district wide with the likes of the Hemo intersection upgrade, State Highway 5 improvements, and the changes along the State Highway 33 to Paengaroa corridor.
I have continued to push for investment in our transport network and we now have more than $100million worth of upgrades in progress.
Now is the time for the community to have their say on this particular proposal. I encourage residents to provide feedback to make sure Waka Kotahi have good local insight and the right information to finalise the shared path design."