7 April 2022
Media: Newshub
Topic: Rotorua district representation arrangements Local Bill
Enquiry
Can I please get a statement from the Rotorua Lakes Council on how the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill would change the governing arrangement for the council?
(We asked the reporter to clarify exactly what info they were after)
I am after a background explanation about what's actually going to change.
But I would also like an attributable comment from the council on why the change is necessary and how much support it had amongst the 10 councillors.
Follow up questions
Final question: any chance I could see the results of the Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review?
The reason I ask for this is I want some clarity on what a National MP said in Parliament yesterday.
Simon Watts said: "If I'm being blunt, the vote in regard to this by local council in Rotorua was a vote of six to five."
Is that accurate?
Response
The reporter was provided with the following information:
Background info about the Bill, and information about the process we are currently going through, is available HERE.
Information about how the Council voted in regards to pursuing the Bill is available HERE.
The release we published at the time we publicly notified our intent to pursue the Bill is available HERE. This includes comment from the Mayor which may cover what you’re after.
Currently our electoral model consists of:
- 10 Councillors elected At Large
- 1 Mayor elected At Large
- A Rotorua Rural Community Board
- A Rotorua Lakes Community Board.
On 21 May 2021, Council resolved to introduce Māori Wards.
We then undertook our Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review and ultimately this has led to us pursing the Local Bill. This is outlined in the links above.
The electoral model we are seeking via the Bill is as follows:
- A Māori ward, called Te Ipu Wai Taketake ward, will elect three Councillors
- A General ward, called Te Ipu Wai Auraki ward, will elect three Councillors
- Four Councillors elected At Large
- 1 Mayor elected At Large
- A Rotorua Lakes Community Board
- A Rotorua Rural Community Board
Let me know if any of that needs clarifying and if you’d like us to seek any further comment from the Mayor.
Following a phone conversation, the reporter was provided with the following additional
information:
As discussed on the phone, the outcome of the Representation Review is detailed in this news item HERE.
This is where Council agreed that, based on feedback obtained through the Representation Review, the best model for representation in Rotorua is:
- 1 Mayor elected at large
- 1 Māori Ward with 3 seats
- 1 General Ward with 3 seats
- 4 “At large” seats
- A Rotorua Lakes Community Board
- A Rural Community Board
However this model is not permitted under current legislation so in a majority vote (9/2) Council voted in favour of instructing the Chief Executive to pursue the necessary statutory reforms, or other means, by which the preferred model can be adopted by Council at the earliest possible time, including if possible, prior to the 2022 local election. This is where the Local Bill process began.
At the same time, Council was bound by legislative constraints to adopt a representation model on Friday 19 November 2021. So while acknowledging that the ideal representation model is the one outlined above, to meet the requirements of the Local Electoral Act, in a split vote decision (this is where the 6/5 confusion came in yesterday), Council adopted the following interim representation model:
- 1 Mayor elected at large
- 1 Māori Ward with 1 seat
- 1 General Ward with 1 seat
- 8 “At large” seats
- A Rotorua Lakes Community Board
- A Rural Community Board
It was noted that this interim model falls short of Council’s preferred model, however preserves the principles of voter parity, a key theme emerging through consultation, and is legally compliant with the formula set out in the LEA.
While this model achieves parity between the Māori Ward and the General Ward, it reduces the number of available seats in the wards to 1 each, and increases the ‘at large’ seats to 8. This is the only formulation that can achieve parity between the wards in a manner which is legally compliant.
Objections/appeals were made against this interim model which then meant it was up to the Local Govt Commission (LGC) to make a final determination on Rotorua’s Representation Arrangements. LGC held hearings for appellants last month and we are currently awaiting their final decision (due this month). News item about this process HERE.
If the Local Bill comes into force by June 2022, this will replace the final decision from LGC.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Okere shared path project
Enquiry
I'm working on an update regarding the SH33 Okere Falls to Mourea shared pathway, and that it is seven months behind schedule.
Appreciating this is an NZTA-led project, I'm only seeking comment from the council as an interested party as you commented in the initial announcement story about the benefits this pathway will offer the community.
- the pathway is seven months delayed from being completed but do you believe the wait will be worth it? If so, for who exactly? If not, why not?
- what do you hope will come from the shared pathway? (safer school access for kids, more people on bikes in the area, etc?)
what concerns, if any, do you have with the project?
Response
From DCEInfrastructure & Environmental Solutions Stavros Michael:
The 3km shared path alongside State Highway 33 aims to provide the same safety and connectivity as the urban shared path network. We are looking forward to the local community having enhanced amenity and safe access into town when walking or biking, while visitors will experience a better perception of safety and greater enjoyment of the area during their visit.
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. It would be great to see an uptake of active transport in rural areas too.
We’ve also seen how COVID-19 affects the availability of materials, the health of staff, and project timelines across Aotearoa - this project is not immune to that.
Rotorua Lakes Council will continue to work together with Waka Kotahi throughout the challenges of the COVID climate, to improve road safety and amenity across the Rotorua District.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Bay of Plenty horse racing venue discussions
Enquiry
I am seeking reaction regarding a discussion at a Tauranga City Council media briefing today. I understand this is a very tight turnaround time, but our story deadline is 4.30 as we running it tomorrow. Just let me know if you have any questions.
The possibility of the Tauranga Racecourse being disestablished has been discussed, meaning the Arawa Park Racecourse would become the only racing venue in the Bay.
It is understood that as part of ongoing planning for improved industry performance and future venue planning, NZTR has encouraged Tauranga and Rotorua Racing Clubs to work together on what the future of racing in the Bay of Plenty will be, as they have a view that Bay of Plenty Racing maybe best sustained with one venue. It is considered appropriate that the provision of a single racecourse for the sub-region be further explored by key stakeholders representing the racing industry and local and central government.
What is your view on this possibility?
How would the disestablishment of the Tauranga race course impact Rotorua?
What would the benefits be?
Response
From Rob Pitkethley, Manager Active and Engaged Communities:
The Rotorua Racing Club would be best-placed to answer your questions.
Council leases the land to the Rotorua club but decisions regarding the future of racing in the Bay of Plenty are for the racing industry.
Council is not in a position to understand the implications and/or benefits for Rotorua until those decisions have been made.