6 September 2022
Media: NZME
Topic: Women in local government
Enquiry
I have questions for the mayor re a story I'm working on about women in local government. This comes as the number of woman standing in BOPRC, WBOPDC and Rotorua elections is a minority, and below the national average (40 per cent) of women in elected representative roles.
I'd like to find out:
- what trend, if any, have you seen of women standing for and being elected to council during your tenure? And how do you think this compares to Government roles? What hope, or concern, does this give you for the future?
- Of the 42 candidates seeking a representative role on RLC this election, 17 are women. How does this stat make you feel?
- What is the importance of having women in public roles such as councillor and mayor and what are the challenges associated with this, in your view?
- How have you found your personal experience of being a women in a high-profile elected role? (has this played a part in creating a greater challenge, or not at all? etc)
Response
Mayor Chadwick provided the following response:
The numbers are not surprising, at nearly fifty percent.
Participating at this level of local government is a juggling act for many women between parenting, work and personal life.
And there are other considerations, they see the impact of social media, the swipes, the hatred and misinformation. Being brave doesn’t always cut it. Unfortunately, it can activate the bullies.
In terms of my thoughts on the importance of women in these roles, there are some great role models. I would say that we view things our own way, through a different lens that adds diversity to a governance team. We can certainly multi-task and have the skills to manage disparate priorities.
However, I would also say that for many women thinking of running for Council, the expectation that they will still be the domestic goddess, provider and home manager, is a lot to take on…and maybe too much.
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Media: RNZ (Morning Report)
Topic: Emergency housing
Enquiry
RNZ requested an interview with Mayor Chadwick re emergency housing in Rotorua following the Sunday programme on TV1.
Response
Mayor Chadwick was interviewed at 7.35am today:
You can hear the interview via THIS LINK on RNZ’s website
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Media: 95bFM
Topic: Emergency housing
Enquiry
I’m just wondering if Mayor Chadwick might be keen to come on to The Wire (our current affairs show) to discuss the Fenton Street motel situation as reported on TVNZ’s Sunday over the weekend?
It would be great to get more local political input especially with local elections coming up.
Response
Mayor Chadwick was interviewed this morning and this pre-recorded interview was used for the station’s news bulletins today:
You can listen to the interview at THIS LINK
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Mayoral candidates' views on emergency housing
Enquiry
*NOTE: This request was sent to RLC, Mayor Chadwick, Minister Woods, MHUD and MSD:
I have approached Rotorua's seven mayoral candidates to ask them what their view is of emergency housing in motels and how they propose to address it if elected.
I would like to provide their comments to the council, mayor, Housing Minister, MHUD and MSD for the right of reply where applicable.
And a question for the Minister: What us her view of the safety of residents living in emergency housing motels and those who live nearby them in Rotorua?
COMMENTS
Candidate Rania Sears said the “heart of our city is being ripped apart” in response to the programme and called for an urgent independent review.
She said it highlighted the difficulty providers had working with “the most vulnerable in society”.
She believed solutions should come from iwi and the Government needed to “start listening”.
“In most cases [the] Government has enabled this problem without a clear exit plan.”
She said the council needed to “take ownership” which in her opinion it was “not currently doing”.
If elected mayor, Sears said she would call an urgent hui with the council, government officials, service providers, iwi and community leaders and “offer a very clear vision that provides a smooth and efficient pathway to be adopted with urgency and work together in agreement to set clear actions”.
Candidate Raj Kumar said the city was “already haemorrhaging” from the Government’s “entire mismanagement” of emergency housing.
"This seedy operation has hit at the underbelly with no accountability.”
He said the government needed to “stop this dumping” and “sending any people to our city for motel housing”.
He wanted to see it “cancel all motel contracts as it’s not a humane way to treat people over such a long period of time”.
Kumar said to achieve that as mayor he would work with community providers and landlords to “get money directly from central Government for rental housing” and would work with policy to “quickly enable [a] safe action plan”.
He said the council needed help assess who was the most vulnerable and could be “vetted safely into housing with families as a stop gap measure”.
Kumar said emergency accommodation users who were “gang members” and from out of town could go back to “tap on the resources of their own council”.
Candidate Fletcher Tabuteau said watching the programme was “like a drawn-out gut punch”.
He said he wanted the Government to “work with Rotorua homeless only” and understand it was “not a binary problem”.
“It is not sleeping rough or motel rooms. There are an array of solutions available.”
He said if elected mayor he would “work with iwi, individuals, housing groups and government to provide real housing alternatives that can be brought together so much quicker than the Government's current housing regime”.
Tabuteau said the council needed to partner with central government to enable temporary housing “to enable temporary housing as a solution that takes 'victims' out of Fenton st and allows tourists to return”.
Candidate Reynold Macpherson said he felt “deep shame and then anger” about the “damage” the “homeless industry” in the city was doing.
He wanted the Government to “reverse the inflow of homeless people” into Rotorua and put “so-called ‘wrap-around’ services on a professional basis”, and “encourage homeless to return home”.
Macpherson said if elected mayor he would “aim to dismantle the homeless industry” to accelerate the recovery and growth of hospitality, accommodation and tourism.
In his opinion the council was not enforcing the district plan on the length of stays and needed to “withdraw support” for five-year resource consents for motels.
He said the council should develop a “plausible” housing policy, and “stop bad decision-making".
Candidate Tania Tapsell said she called on the Housing Minister Megan Woods to “stop these contracts immediately”.
Tapsell said the council could do a report on the social and economic impacts of emergency housing to provide a “strong case” and provide proof of increased crime rates, negative impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods and businesses, as well as its impact on the reputation of Rotorua.
She said she’d consistently advocated to end people from out of town being housed in Rotorua motels, and had appeared on TVNZ’s Breakfast show on Monday “being a strong voice for Rotorua and calling for an end to the mixed use of motels”.
She said to make the changes she wanted to see happen she had requested the council use regulatory powers to investigate all buildings used for emergency housing and issue those with known dangers with a notice to close.
Candidate Ben Sandford said the programme highlighted “how big an issue poverty is”.
"It touched on a number of issues but failed to show solutions or any of the good work that is being done in this space.”
He wanted to see better coordination between Government agencies, service providers, iwi, motels and the council.
He said there was some “good coordination” so far through Te Pokapū but it needed to be expanded to other agencies.
He also wanted the Government to provide “better oversight and regulation” of motels and providers, more services for people in emergency housing and experiencing homelessness.
He said the Ministry of Social Development should only pay for accommodation in motels used solely for emergency housing – not mixed use - and that could demonstrate they were “suitable”.
Sandford said in order to achieve these things, if elected mayor he would “advocate and present solutions” and “make sure [the] council is part of the solution and “at the table” to ensure progress was made.
"I would ensure [the] council is doing everything it can to enforce regulations and do the work to allow more homes to be built. I would work with our communities to make sure we are resilient and supporting people to stay in homes.
He said the council could work closer with Government agencies to “act quicker” to ensure regulations were followed.
Candidate Kalaadevi Ananda said the programme “revealed a dysfunctional and criminally-negligent system” in her opinion.
"Enough data has been collected these last three years, let’s use it. We need to move from knee jerk reaction to responsive solution strategy.”
She said the Government needed to understand emergency motel housing was a “bandaid to the pandemic and its mandates”.
"Now we need a compressive strategy bigger than infrastructure.”
She said alternatives – such as “a housing development that runs like a marae” - was needed.
Ananda wanted the Government and the council to “dismantle each motel, one at a time”.
She believed the council could “leverage” the Government’s use of motels to reinvest in the local tourism industry.
She said the council needed to “analyse the data” and focus on a “workable exit strategy”.
“The time is now for [the] council to act and set up a committee of wise people.”
She said that included mana whenua, “people of faith”, non-government organisations, “psychiatrist, developer, social activist”, the council and the Government.
Response
From RLC organisation:
Nothing from the council organisation regarding these election statements but thank you for checking.
Mayor Chadwick provided the following comment:
This is a very complex challenge and the only solution is to keep working together with government agencies and Iwi as we have over the last two years.
The need for Emergency housing accommodation will not go away in four weeks.
Any solution requires strong and brave leadership and even greater collaboration by all parties.
If this were an easy issue to solve it would have happened by now.
I would encourage a temporary stop on the issuing of Emergency accomodation vouchers to out of towners to unmanaged motels while a reset can occur.
We need action now, not in four weeks. I will continue to lead on this in the interim.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Complaints about election hoardings
Enquiry
We’re working on an article about election hoarding complaints for this election cycle, and we wanted to get some info from you guys for that.
Below are the questions we’d be keen to get answers to-
Questions:
- How many complaints about hoardings for this election have you received so far this year and what was the nature of each of those complaints?
- Which candidate’s hoardings have been complained about?
- Where are the complained-about hoardings located?
- When were the complaints lodged?
- What action was taken as a result of these complaints?
- What are the rules candidates must follow when erecting their hoardings?
- Why are these rules important? What do they encourage/prevent?
- We’d also be keen to know if you’ve had any reports of hoardings being damaged/vandalized, and if so, whose hoardings/in what way.
Response
From DCE District Leadership and Democracy, Oonagh Hopkins.
- How many complaints about hoardings for this election have you received so far this year and what was the nature of each of those complaints?
14 in total
5 - size of sign over 3m² or sign more than 3m above ground level.
8 – sign erected on road reserve.
1 – permission of property owner to erect sign not obtained.
- Which candidate’s hoardings have been complained about?
Fletcher Tabuteau (6), Kalaadevi Ananda (2), RDRR (4), Karen Barker (2)
- Where are the complained-about hoardings located?
Te Ngae Rd (4), Awatea Ave (1), Reporoa (1), Horohoro (1), Ngongotaha (2), Tumunui (1),
Devon St (1), Hilton Rd (1), Kaharoa Rd (1), Hemo (1).
- When were the complaints lodged?
12 Aug (4), 14 Aug (2), 18 Aug (1), 17 Aug (1), 21 Aug (1), 22 Aug (1), 25 Aug (1), 29 Aug (2), 8 Sep (1).
- What action was taken as a result of these complaints?
13 complaints have been resolved. The complaint received 8 Sep is under action.
- What are the rules candidates must follow when erecting their hoardings?
See this link re rules
Council guidelines on election hoardings or signage (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
- Why are these rules important? What do they encourage/prevent?
- We’d also be keen to know if you’ve had any reports of hoardings being damaged/vandalized, and if so, whose hoardings/in what way
- To prevent road safety issues e.g. 3m² & 3m height max. requirements so signs don’t
- Community safety e.g. free standing signs to have 1.4m ground clearance under the sign.
- To prevent proliferation of signs on road reserves i.e. road safety issues around sight lines/
- To allow the same opportunity for all candidates to erect signs with regard to size, location & display period e.g. 9 weeks prior to elections.
obstruct drivers vision or cause driver distraction. Signs must be securely braced to
prevent wind damage & potential safety issues for vehicles & pedestrians.
drivers vision.
RLC has received no reports/complaints re damaged or vandalised hoardings which doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but we’ve had no reports or complaints come to us.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Dog registration
Enquiry
We’ve been contacted by the SPCA about a recent increase in puppies being surrendered to them. We’re working on an article about this, and wanted to ask you a few questions to go along with it.
Questions:
- How much is a dog registration, what was it 2 years ago, and why have the fees increased?
- Over the last 3 years, year by year to date, how many dogs are registered with the council?
- When were the latest registration fees due, and how many people are overdue?
- What will be done about those who don’t pay? Will there be any penalties/will the council pursue them?
- For those who may struggle to pay their dog registration fees, are there any options (e.g. payment plans)? What would you advise people who may struggle to do?
- How many puppies are in the pound now, and how long have they been there? Is this an increase or decrease on other months, and why?
- For those who may struggle to pay their dog registration fees, are there any options (e.g. payment plans)? What would you advise people who may struggle to do?
- In your view, is the cost of living having any impact on people dumping dogs, not being able to look after them or pay dog registration fees? Why?
Response
The following information was provided which the reporter was informed could be attributed to Council’s Manager, Community & Regulatory Services, Kurt Williams if needed.
How much is a dog registration, what was it 2 years ago, and why have the fees increased?
Current animal control fees and charges, including dog registration costs are available on Council’s website HERE.
Previous registration costs are as follows:
2021/2022 = $105 urban domiciled dog
2020/2021 = $92 urban domiciled dog
Fees have increased to keep up with the rising costs of providing animal control services to the community.
Over the last 3 years, year by year to date, how many dogs are registered with the council?
2021/2022 = 12,068
2020/2021 = 12,157
2019/2020 = 11,780
When were the latest registration fees due, and how many people are overdue?
Dogs over the age of three months old are usually required to be registered by 31 July each year to avoid a penalty fee.
On 1 August 2022 (which is when a penalty is typically applied), 27% of known dogs were not registered. As at 5 September 2022, 17% of known dogs remain unregistered.
This year Council extended the deadline for dog registration due to low registration numbers (learn more HERE) and dog owners now have until midnight on 30 September to register dogs. Penalties will apply after this date.
What will be done about those who don’t pay? Will there be any penalties/will the council pursue them?
From 1 October, Council staff will be following up owners of known dogs in the district who have not yet been registered by phone and/or in person to ensure these dogs do get registered.
A penalty will be applied to late registration, so we encourage people to make the most of the current extension period to avoid these additional fees.
For those who may struggle to pay their dog registration fees, are there any options (e.g. payment plans)? What would you advise people who may struggle to do?
Anyone wishing to discuss their personal circumstances is urged to make prompt contact with Council’s Customer Centre on 07 348 4199 or by emailing info@rotorualc.nz.
How many puppies are in the pound now, and how long have they been there? Is this an increase or decrease on other months, and why?
We currently have four puppies at the Rotorua Pound. The number of puppies and dogs in the Rotorua Pound fluctuates throughout the year. Puppies and dogs up for adoption from the Rotorua Pound are profiled in our Rotorua Pound – Homeless Hounds Facebook group.
In your view, is the cost of living having any impact on people dumping dogs, not being able to look after them or pay dog registration fees? Why?
While we can’t be certain, we do know that many people and whānau in our community are experiencing tough times financially right now so it’s likely this is having an impact. We have provided the dog registration extension to try and relieve some of this pressure and really encourage residents to make the most it to avoid an additional penalty fee.