15 November 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Vaccination status of elected members
Enquiry
*NOTE: this enquiry was also sent to other councils in the BOP and the two DHBs in the region.
Please forgive the group email. We are seeking answers from all democratically elected members throughout the Bay of Plenty regarding that vaccination status. Tauranga City Council, given your elected members are no longer acting in any official capacity, it would be appreciated if you could please supply the same data for the commission instead.
Can you please tell us:
- How many of your elected members are fully vaccinated, and how many have had just one jab so far? And who are they?
- If your council or board has a specific stance on vaccination among its representatives, please tell us what that is.
We will need a response from each of you by 12pm Wednesday
Response
We do not hold information about the vaccination status of our elected members sorry.
Mayor Chadwick has previously informed NZME that she is vaccinated and is happy to confirm for you that she is fully vaccinated, and that she has encouraged her elected colleagues to be vaccinated.
Elected members’ contact details (phone numbers and email addresses) can be found HERE on RLC’s website.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post/Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Diwali Night Ride
Enquiry
I'm getting in touch as I saw the Diwali Night Ride is coming up this weekend. Would I be able to get a few comments from the Safe and Sustainable Journeys team for a preview story?
- Why does the Diwali Night Ride event include/what is it all about.
- Why is it a night out you'd encourage families to join?
- What do you enjoy about holding this event each year? Why is biking a great way to bring people together?
- Are there any Covid precautions people will adhere to?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
If it's possible to have some comments through by the end of today that would be awesome. If there is a photo from previous years available I could use too that would be great.
Response
From Georgie Griffiths, Bikes in Schools & Active Modes Facilitator:
The Diwali Night Ride is a 3km, easy ride from the Government Gardens, along the Rotorua Lakefront area. Diwali is a Hindu, Sikh or Jain festival, celebrating new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
The Diwali Night Ride is a fun night out for the whole whānau. Anyone can take part, and it’s chance to meet new people, celebrate Diwali, and explore pathways in the CBD that you may not have been on before. Everyone decorates their bikes with lights - which looks awesome in the dark, and kids especially find it exciting to ride at night.
Bike events are a great way to bring people together in a fun and relaxed setting, and encourage locals to make the most of the bike-friendly landscape in Rotorua.
Many people use biking as an outlet for their physical and mental health. Thankfully, we have been able to ride for our health and wellbeing all year round, and are grateful to be able to share this with others to celebrate Diwali.
Re COVID precautions
All of the relevant Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidelines will be adhered to for the Diwali Night Ride event.
If Rotorua remains in Alert Level 2, the Diwali Night Ride will go ahead. A QR code will be provided for people to scan in. We will meet and ride outside, and the event is limited to 100 people. We will be encouraging riders to wear a mask at the beginning and end of the ride, and maintain social distancing throughout the night. This year, we will not be sharing food after the ride.
Additional information
There is no need to register. Bring your decorated bike and helmet to the Te Runanga Tea House on Queens Drive at 7.15pm, to enjoy the fun ride this Saturday 20 November.
For more bike events follow Safe and Sustainable Journeys Rotorua on Facebook, or contact cycling@rotorualc.nz.
*Reporter was also provided with a photo