17 November 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Auckland COVID border lifting
Enquiry
I'm writing a story about the government's announcement today about the Auckland border lifting.
I am seeking a response to the below from mayor Steve Chadwick.
How would you describe the effects of the Auckland border lifting on Dec 15 on Rotorua?
What is your plea to the community in order to get vaccinated in time for the border to open?
On November 29, Cabinet will confirm Auckland's move into the traffic light system, into the red level/ The rest of the country will move at the same time as Auckland, the Government will confirm at that meeting. Areas with lower vaccination areas will be moved into the red level to protect people and promote vaccinations.
How do you feel about potentially moving into red of the traffic light system?
Please feel free to add anything further of importance or relevance.
My deadline is 4pm today, please.
Please find below an article that has more information about the 1pm announcement today. There is also an interactive graphic that explains the traffic light system.
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
Our tourism and hospitality sectors have been doing it extremely tough and with Auckland being such a major domestic visitor market for us, the re-opening of the border will be welcomed.
For Council and others it will also enable people from Auckland who are critical to the progress of work or projects to get to us.
There will no doubt be some anxiety around the re-opening of the Auckland border and that’s to be expected but requirements around vaccination and negative test results should help alleviate concerns.
As we move towards the new Government framework for living with COVID, getting our local vaccination rates up is also absolutely critical.
We always knew we would have to live with the virus at some point and the new system relies on high vaccination rates to enable more freedom. We want our district open and operating as freely as the system allows.
We don’t want to be stuck in the red level and I am urging people to please, get vaccinated – to protect yourself, your loved ones, your community, our health system and our economy.
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Planting at Tihi Reserve
Enquiry
I'm getting in touch as I saw the council's post about the planting work done at Tihi Reserve recently, and wondered if it would be possible to do a story on Friends of Tihi Reserve, what its goals are etc, since I saw it has been newly formed?
- When was friends of Tihi Reserve formed and how did it come about?
- What are some of the group's goals/aims?
- Are there any events, working bees etc coming up the community might be able to get involved in?
- Why do you think it's important for the community to look after its local reserves?
- If someone would like to get involved what's the best way to get in touch?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From Friends of Tihi Reserve group member Olivia Greenwood:
We fully support the initiative of starting a community group of people who live in the area, as the reserve really is an awesome place with heaps of potential! I guess we thought that starting the Facebook page was an easy way to enhance the reserve so that people could share information, photos, and events etc.
From mine and my partners perspective, we just want to see the reserve meet its potential. It really is a special place with heaps of diversity! There are birds, walking trails, kids have made huts, there are mountain biking trails and jumps and the open green space seems to constantly be in use by dog owners as well as kids kicking balls and throwing frisbees. It’s been neat to see some people have painted stones and put them in the reserve – that’s something which could really make the place fun to visit if it caught on. Students of Otonga Primary could all paint a rock in school and hide it in the reserve. This would provide a great incentive for kids to get outside and find the different rocks all the classmates have designed – it just makes going for a walk more fun!
The Friends of Tihi reserve is just a way for all those people who love and use the reserve to collaborate and give back to it, by sharing information and giving a hand to improve it every now and then. Hopefully in time it’ll have hundreds of members and followers and the planting day that was held last week will have a bigger turn out.
From Rotorua Lakes Council Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
When was friends of Tihi Reserve formed and how did it come about?
The group was formed following a community survey in 2019 about the ongoing management of the Tihi Road Reserve. One of the questions to the community was whether anyone would be interested in forming a voluntary care group for the area. The response was positive, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that the respondents were able to get together for a public meeting and officially form the Friends of Tihi Reserve.
What are some of the group's goals/aims?
Are there any events, working bees etc coming up the community might be able to get involved in?
Best to have a chat with Friends of Tihi Reserve member Cambell Bennett.
Why do you think it's important for the community to look after its local reserves?
Care groups such as Friends of Tihi provide a valuable service to the community. Looking after our city and our environment is a team effort and often it’s not something that Council can achieve solely on its own. These groups are also a great way for residents to meet people, to become involved in a project that benefits their wider neighbourhood and it helps to create a sense of ownership within each community.
If someone would like to get involved what's the best way to get in touch?
People can reach out to the Friends of Tihi Reserve via their Facebook page or they can contact Council on 07 348 4199 and speak to Barbara Curtis.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Rotorua Lakes Council supports a number of community restoration and environmental care groups. Usually the groups are self-managed and Council will provide support such as advice, assistance with planting days and rubbish disposal.
It’s great that we have so many community members passionate about taking care of our city, and we’re always keen to hear from people or groups that are interested in joining or developing their own care groups.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Organisational realignment and vacant DCE role
Enquiry
Can I please ask the council:
- Is it currently actively advertising the community wellbeing deputy chief executive role? (It's not listed here https://careers.rotorualakescouncil.nz/) If not, why not?
- Is it related to the role not yet having a job description? How so?
- How urgent is filling the DCE community wellbeing role considered to be by the council?
- Why has the role been removed from this page on the council website?
- When does the chief executive expect job descriptions for the deputy chief executive roles to be completed?
- Is the council developing job descriptions for the 10 new roles at tier three? When are these expected to be complete, and when does the council expect to advertise for those roles?
Response
from Joe Akari, Director People and Organisational Development:
Is [RLC] currently actively advertising the community wellbeing deputy chief executive role? (It's not listed here https://careers.rotorualakescouncil.nz/) If not, why not?
We are working with a recruitment specialist to assist us in our search and attract the calibre of applicants this role will require. They have already undertaken some pre-advertising work and formal advertising will start this week.
Is it related to the role not yet having a job description? How so?
No. See JD attached
How urgent is filling the DCE community wellbeing role considered to be by the council?
This is a crucial role for the organisation and we are keen to get someone on board as soon as possible but the priority is on getting the right person.
When does the chief executive expect job descriptions for the deputy chief executive roles to be completed?
This work has been completed. [job descriptions were provided to reporter]
Is the council developing job descriptions for the 10 new roles at tier three? When are these expected to be complete, and when does the council expect to advertise for those roles?
Yes, there are Job descriptions. Implementation is at various stages. Two roles have been filled through internal appointments, several are being advertised internally first but will be advertised externally if needed, a couple are about to be advertised externally and two are on hold or still to be confirmed.
Re Community wellbeing role not on council website – the role was inadvertently removed when the former DCE’s name was removed but this has been rectified.