23 July 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Kainga Ora motel purchase
Enquiry
I am following up a story that came out this week regarding Kainga Ora purchasing The Boulevard Motel on Fenton St. Tamati Coffey told Newstalk ZB last night and has since confirmed it with us that the housing provider is looking to buy another motel.
Previously, when Kainga Ora took the control of the motels from MSD, Steve said that motel accommodation was not a long-term solution.
I am looking for comment on this current situation, deadline is 2pm thanks.
Previously, Steve has said: "I called for the Government to focus its attention on Rotorua and to have a presence here on the ground because of the untenable situation of mothers and children living in motels. That was the burning platform to get a priority focus for our district.
"These first steps are the building blocks to addressing the long-term housing pipeline challenges that we need to solve here in Rotorua."
- Is the purchasing of motels the idea Steve had when calling on the government to help?
- What is your opinion on the latest move by the government?
- Todd McClay has said this is ruining the reputation of the town, do you agree with his sentiments?
- If motel accommodation is not the long-term solution what is?
Response
Reporter was advised to check facts re the line in her enquiry re “Previously, when Kainga Ora took the control of the motels from MSD” as MSD was not running/controlling any motels and Kainga Ora has not been involved in contracting of motels, that is the role of MHUD.
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
In the short term we said we needed better management of motels being used for emergency accommodation and that these places needed to have wrap-around support services. That is now being put in place.
In the medium term, we need more transitional housing so that people aren’t in emergency accommodation long-term and that is what Kainga Ora is working on. Converting what used to be a motel into housing is just one part of that – as they’ve said, they are also working on building more houses.
More houses is the ultimate goal, of course, but that can’t happen overnight so we need a variety of solutions in the meantime and solutions is what we’ve all got to be focussed on.
Any potential for reputational damage is of course a concern and addressing perception issues is part of ongoing Rotorua marketing campaigns. Addressing our social issues is also important, which is why we continue to work closely with Central Government, iwi and others to address the likes of Rotorua’s housing challenges, and is why housing and community safety are key priorities of Council’s Long-term Plan.
I look forward to Todd taking up the offer, as he’s indicated he would, to receive a briefing on housing and other local government matters.
From Kainga Ora to NZME and Newstalk ZB re motel purchase:
To be attributed to Darren Toy, Regional Director Bay of Plenty, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
We continue with urgency to actively explore a wide range of options around increasing housing supply in Rotorua so whānau, tamariki and mokopuna will have warm, dry and modern homes to live in.
This includes purchase of land and existing properties, partnering with other land owners including iwi and hapu, redevelopment of our own existing properties, and leasing options.
These plans are progressing, and involve ongoing commercial discussions and processes with various groups that need to be worked through when we’re looking at either redeveloping a site, or purchasing one where we can provide more new, warm dry and safe housing.
When we’re in a positon to provide more information on these plans we will, like we did we with the Boulevard Motel purchase.
In addition to the purchase of this motel, Kāinga Ora recently also purchased around 2ha of vacant land on the corner of Ranolf Street and Malfroy Road where medium density public housing is planned to be built in the immediate future. We are also currently planning redevelopment work at a number of existing Kāinga Ora sites in Rotorua where more new warm dry homes will be built.
With all opportunities significant due diligence is undertaken, and in the case of purchases independent valuation is carried out. The price paid for the Boulevard Motel is in line with a market valuation provided by an independent valuer. It is not a reflection of current market value to join together the rateable valuations (capital values (CV)) of the six individual lots for this property. Those valuations are part of a mass valuation process used to apportion rates between properties; they are not specific to this site and they do not reflect the opportunities created by amalgamating sites. They are also dated as rateable valuations are always at least six months old given the mass valuation process and these were introduced in 2020, and they do not reflect the value of any businesses operating on a site.
These purchases and land development is part of the Kāinga Ora programme across the country to increase land supply to allow the delivery of more warm, dry and modern homes.
- More about the Ranolf/Malfroy purchase
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Media: Discovery NZ
Topic: Suspension of Transtasman travel bubble
Enquiry
I'm just flagging that I'm obviously keen on anything you can give me in terms of bubble closure reaction should that be what is announced today - and everything is pointing towards that.
Any comments in the lead up to an announcement, comments under embargo if the announcement is a closure, or some reaction as soon as an announcement is made would be fantastic.
Response
Mayor Chadwick provided the following comment following the announcement confirming the full suspension for at least 8 weeks of the Transtasman travel bubble:
We always knew this could happen and considering how things have been developing in Australia, the Government’s decision to suspend our Transtasman travel bubble is not surprising.
A cautious approach has been taken from day one and that’s reflected in this decision.
From a tourism perspective the bubble was a bit of a boost and very welcome – about 10 per cent of visitors to Rotorua recently have been from Australia with a mix of holidaymakers and people catching up with family and friends.
Having said that, we all understand the reality of having to now live with COVID. Our local businesses have certainly shown great resilience and many have been able to introduce new services and products to focus more strongly on domestic tourism.
Many businesspeople are generally positive and have reported being busier now than they were this time last year so while some are obviously still struggling, we are still getting a fair share of visitors.
We’ve had a busy time in Rotorua these school holidays, forward bookings are looking good, and we have events – including business events – on the calendar.
We will maintain our focus on promoting Rotorua to the domestic market and, as a Council, we believe it’s important to continue investing in improvements to ensure that Rotorua remains a destination of choice – both for New Zealanders and, when the borders re-open, international visitors.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Winter illnesses
Enquiry
I am working on a story about winter ills and chills circulating at the moment and how this is impacting staffing levels at local workplaces.
I was just wondering if you could provide any comment on what Tauranga City Council staffing levels are like at the moment? Have you seen an increase in people calling in sick or working from home due to illness?
Could you comment on what types of illnesses are circulating?
How many Rotorua Lakes Council staff have called in sick from Monday to Thursday this week? And can you provide comment on how these numbers compare to other weeks?
Response
Reporter was informed a tally of numbers calling in sick from Monday to Thursday this week was not possible until payroll for the week was done early next week.
The following comment was provided:
Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Executive’s Group, Craig Tiriana:
Anecdotally we have noticed an increase in the number of staff being away sick during the past few weeks with the usual types of winter illnesses like colds. That’s not unexpected at this time of year.
We discourage people from working at all when they are ill but since lockdown last year staff are more inclined to work from home for a day or two to ensure they don’t spread illness.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Unpaid rates
Enquiry
I'm writing a story about outstanding unpaid rates for the most recent financial year. Please find my questions below:
How much in dollar figures was owed to the council in unpaid rates for the financial year ending on June 30, 2021?
How many unpaid rates accounts were there?
How do these figures compare to the previous three financial years?
What is the largest outstanding rates bill currently?
Has the council taken anyone to court to sell or lease a property in order to recoup rates in the last financial year? If so, when and how much was recovered in dollar figures?
Response
How much in dollar figures was owed to the council in unpaid rates for the financial year ending on June 30, 2021? See table 1 below
How many unpaid rates accounts were there? See table 2 below
How do these figures compare to the previous three financial years? See tables 1 and 2
What is the largest outstanding rates bill currently? $103,760.76
Has the council taken anyone to court to sell or lease a property in order to recoup rates in the last financial year? If so, when and how much was recovered in dollar figures?
One property. Settlement is not yet finalised.
Table 1 - Outstanding rates debt at respective year ends:
Financial year end | Total outstanding amount |
30 June 2021 | $ 4,626,865 |
30 June 2020 | $ 4,244,583 |
30 June 2019 | $ 3,087,800 |
30 June 2018 | $ 2,291,604 |
Table 2 - Number of accounts in debt and respective highest individual rates debt amounts (for same years as Table 1):
Financial year end | Number of accounts in debt | Highest debt amount |
30 June 2021 | 4,501 | $103,760.76 |
30 June 2020 | 4,399 | $ 99,776.45 |
30 June 2019 | 4,121 | $112,156.33 |
30 June 2018 | 3,877 | $ 94,019.07 |
PLEASE NOTE:
These figures are net rates debt (so total gross debt minus credits)
The figures are inclusive of GST
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Media: Radio Waatea
Topic: Kainga Ora motel purchase
Enquiry
Interview requested with Mayor Chadwick re Kainga Ora purchase of motel as part of the work of the housing taskforce.
Response
Click HERE to listen to the interview