27 January 2022
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Lakefront basketball court cultural design
Enquiry
I was wondering if I may be able to do a story on the cultural design work that will be painted on the new basketball court at the Lakefront.
- -How does it feel to have your designs/art be a part of the new Lakefront development?
- -What was your inspiration for the basketball court design?
- -Why do you think it is important to have artistic and Te Arawa aspects to the Lakefront development?
- -Has the weather affected the ability to start the design/is it now set to start next week?
Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From local artist, Lyonel Grant:
I’m extremely pleased to be part of the lakefront development. Most of the time I'm pursuing work abroad and often miss chances to have my work included locally. I’m really impressed with the council staff who have contributed huge amounts of energy to get this right. I am mindful of the international travellers who will eventually return. I’d like to think we’ve created something special, born of the local history for us, but speaking to and an international audience of our rich culture and our modern expression of it.
The basketball court design is an innovation of a traditional Puhoro design. Puhoro can be found on the underside fore section of a waka, it can be commonly found as a thigh pattern invigorating the lower torso of the Toa (warrior). This pattern represents the qualities of agility, nimbleness, power and strength. Thus, it is the perfect choice for those who will spend many hours playing on that surface.
If we are indeed in the heart of Te Arawa, it stands to reason that we should showcase our culture to one and all. For years Rotorua has been known as a tourist town. I feel the lakefront development goes some way to dispel that misconception.
Many talents of this community have contributed to this project in so many ways. I think a genuine asset has been created that can be appreciated by locals and international visitors alike.
Working with the council, contractors and others involved, I have been made well aware of how hard the collective has worked to make this project a success. There have been many trying times regarding regulations, restrictions, global pandemics etc, but the underlying determination has been constant.
I should note that there has been considerable effort to where possible, keep contracts local in order to channel funds back into the community. Therefore, the end result will be something that for the most part, is produced by us.
The reporter was informed that the works were delayed by a week due to the weather, so works will begin next week (1 February 2022).
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Government's Omicron phases
Enquiry
I'm writing a story today on local leaders' reactions to the Government's Omicron phases announcement.
Could I please have a comment from you, Steve, on your view of the plan and how you think it will impact the people of the Rotorua district?
I welcome a comment from the chief executive also if he would like (or his proxy if he is away of course) on the council's approach to operations and community outreach in the Omicron context.
Response
From Oonagh Hopkins, Acting Chief Executive of Rotorua Lakes Council:
Council is providing support to agencies leading the Omicron response locally. We are providing welfare support as needed for MSD, including coordinating distribution of food where this may be needed, and we are providing logistics support for the Lakes DHB.
We are ready, as part of a local cross-agency group to provide any other support that we are able to if needed.
Meanwhile, as an organisation we need to ensure ongoing continuity of essential services and we are constantly reviewing the situation and ready to make changes if needed, guided by what is happening at any given time in our community.
From Mayor Steve Chadwick.
“Mayors have been briefed about the plan and I feel very comfortable with it. There will be a ramping up of cases with Omicron, we are all very aware of that although we can’t predict exactly what the extent of that, or pace of it, will be. So that reinforces the need for everybody to be prepared and to take the public health measures around getting vaccinated, getting your booster, getting your children vaccinated, measures like mask-wearing and distancing and having a plan at home.
These are worrying times for everyone and care at home is key – do what you can to keep yourself and your family and/or household safe.
I’m assured by our Lakes DHB regarding their ability to manage the situation locally. A key challenge and aim is keeping Covid out of the workforce as much as possible and that will require everybody to play their part.”
I think Rotorua, as a community, has done exceptionally well in responding to local cases to-date and I think that puts us in a good position to respond collaboratively to Omicron.”
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Whaka 100 event cancellation
Enquiry
It was announced today that the Whaka 100 has been cancelled. As the event was due to start on Saturday and many participants are already in town for the race, there has been significant public interest in this news.
The announcement from Whaka 100 organisers stated that the event was cancelled due to retraction of approval. You can find their announcement here: https://www.whaka100.co.nz/covid-19.html#latest
I'd appreciate it if you could provide attributable comment and clarification in response to the following questions:
- Are the facts as stated in the Whaka 100 cancellation announcement correct?
- What reasons did the council have for withdrawing approval?
- Which office of the council was involved in this decision? What factors were taken into consideration?
Response
The reporter was referred to RLC’s statement on the RLC website HERE in the first instance and indicated this provided sufficient information for tonight’s story but that there might be follow-up enquiries tomorrow.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Staff incentives/culture development at RLC
Enquiry
I am writing a story on how workplaces foster a good culture and what type of incentives they may offer to retain and keep staff. I am interested in what the council is doing in this space and I was hoping for some comment. My deadline is 12pm tomorrow. Thank you.
- How many staff do you have at the moment and are you looking to fill any new roles and what are they?
- Why is a good workplace culture important and what has the council done to foster and encourage that?
- Do you offer any incentives including training for staff and what are those?
- How do you access pay rates and are there any new incentives that may be included in new job packages that may not have been included in the past - and why?
Plus, with people who are applying for new roles are there any trends in the questions they are asking and what do they want to know about the council and how it could be a good fit for them?
Response
From People and Organisation Development Manager, Joe Akari:
Rotorua Lakes Council currently employs 357 staff members.
Workplace culture is important because it links with employee engagement, productivity and staff retention.
Rotorua Lakes Council has embedded values into the organisation where it’s about people first and these feed into a staff-led staff awards programme that recognises those who exemplify our values to a very high level.
Council offers learning and development opportunities for staff in a wide range of areas, including e-learning opportunities. We pride ourselves on being a bi-cultural organisation and encourage staff to engage in activities to grow and practice their bicultural competency, which includes use of Te Reo Māori, knowledge and use of tikanga, awareness of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Arawa history and their importance for Rotorua, as well as the importance of partnering and collaborating with iwi.
We build staff capability via a performance management framework and have a cadet programme during summer months which is a good way to encourage people to work in local government.
Other incentives include our wellness programme (WorkWell) which delivers education and activities that support positive lifestyle choices and general health and wellbeing. RLC has achieved WorkWell Gold accreditation status from Te Toi Ora Public Health for its WorkWell programme.
Staff receive discounts with a range of local services and suppliers through the Council's membership of various organisations and programmes. Council also provides other benefits including:
• Annual eye tests/flu vaccinations
• Skin checks at a discounted rate that staff pay for
• Free blood pressure/cholesterol tests
• Occupational health nurse visits (including desk assessments/health monitoring)
• EAP through Benestar
• E-bike promotions (interest free loan up to 1 year)
• Gym corporate discounts
• Free Aquatic Centre use
• Subsidised team support events, i.e. Ekiden Relay
• National campaigns, i.e. Breast Cancer breakfast, Pink Shirt day, Prostate cancer
• Health provider toolbox talks on various wellbeing subjects
• Staff Policies, i.e. Paid Partner’s Parental Leave, Flexible working, Sick Leave Gifting
These benefits also tie into our overall workplace culture/engagement.
Council has a relationship with Strategic Pay which provides us with annual market remuneration data that determines our remuneration ranges for Council roles. In addition, Council offers employer contributions to superannuation over and above KiwiSaver and staff receive five weeks annual leave once they have been employed continuously for four years. We have some roles which are harder to recruit for as they are in huge demand from other Councils and the general market.
The common questions that are asked during recruitment include questions about flexible working, do we offer learning and development/promotion opportunities, “why do we work at Council”, “what is Council like to work for” and “how would you describe the culture at Council”.
We are currently advertising the following vacancies:
• Data & Insights Manager
• Property Manager
• Financial Accountant
• Business Support Administrator – District Development
• Digital Technology Support
• Communications Advisor
• Systems Engineer
• Fixed Term Senior Communications Advisor