14 September 2022
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Welcoming Communities coordinator role
Enquiry
I saw at the citizenship ceremony that the role of Welcoming Communities co-ordinator has been filled and it would be great to do a story to help profile and introduce Raj to the community.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to tee up an interview on the phone or in person, perhaps on Wednesday sometime?
Response
Council’s Welcoming Communities Co-Ordinator, Rajind Seneviratne participated in the interview today and answered the following questions:
- Why did you decide to apply for the Welcoming Communities co-ordinator role? How did you feel when given the role?
- What does your role as Welcoming Communities co-ordinator include? What have you enjoyed about it so far?
- What are your hopes/goals for the next few months in the role?
- Why do you think it is important to have an inclusive community and environment for all people/cultures?
- In what ways do you think Rotorua is already a welcoming community?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Mayoral candidate's statement about emergency housing
Enquiry
Council’s Welcoming Communities Co-Ordinator,
Rajind Seneviratne participated in the interview today and answered the following questions:
- Why did you decide to apply for the Welcoming Communities co-ordinator role? How did you feel when given the role?
- What does your role as Welcoming Communities co-ordinator include? What have you enjoyed about it so far?
- What are your hopes/goals for the next few months in the role?
- Why do you think it is important to have an inclusive community and environment for all people/cultures?
- In what ways do you think Rotorua is already a welcoming community?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
Rotorua mayoral candidate Fletcher Tabuteau says emergency housing in motels is having a destructive effect on the city and says the Government needs to "fix this mess up today".
He has also claimed there needs to be iwi "solutions" to house those in housing need in Rotorua and also to address some of those in need of housing who also have mental health and drug addiction and rehabilitation needs.
He also believes tiny homes could be built on land in Hannah's Bay in Rotorua on land which was previously cleared to accommodate the airport / flight paths. He says tiny homes could be used instead of motels to accommodate homeless people.
I would like to provide these comments (below) to the Minister for Housing, Associate Minister for Housing (Homelessness) and Minister of Social Development for the right of reply, as well as MSD, MHUD and Kāinga Ora.
Could I please also ask the Housing Minister:
Is she confident every solution to address homelessness and the emergency housing situation in Rotorua has been explored? Why / why not?
Can I please also ask the Associate Housing Minister (Homelessness):
How does she believe this situation should be addressed? What work has she been doing in this space?
Does she believe emergency housing in motels is a safe place for people to live? Why / why not?
For the Tourism / Regional Development Minister:
Is he concerned about the impact of emergency housing in motels in Rotorua (and associated issues) on the tourism industry in Rotorua and the international reputation of the town? Why / why not?
For the council:
Is Tabuteau's suggestion of the use of land near the airport feasible? I understand there may be District Plan implications with it with those properties. If you could clarify the limitations on those properties on Williton Rd that would be appreciated.
For the mayor:
Do you believe Tabuteau's suggestions are feasible and do you believe there are alternative solutions available? If so, what are they?
COMMENTS:
Fletcher Tabuteau said emergency housing in motels was "literally destroying" the tourist town.
He said tourism leaders had challenged him to "push harder" on the "Fenton St debacle".
"Rotorua is being literally destroyed by a Government who is taking us for granted.
"They need to stop and fix this mess up today.
"Rotorua is sitting on the precipice, but New Zealand's international reputation as a travel destination will be compromised too and soon, if no action is taken immediately.
"It's not just lazy Kiwi sitting on their backsides living in these motels, but that is a lot of them, and the sooner the Government stops apologising for them and to them, the sooner we can hold them to account and send them packing."
Tabuteau said motels were not the place for people with mental health issues and drug addiction.
"They should not be there. It is destructive to the individual and destructive to the community."
Tabuteau said there were also "good people who genuinely need help and support" and the district was willing to support them to "find their feet again".
"We have plenty of jobs and support networks for people who want to be part of the answer to their circumstances.
"We need to send people home, back to their whānau and support networks."
Tabuteau said mental health and drug rehabilitation services were needed, but not just in Rotorua.
"I have been engaging with and supporting this iwi housing kaupapa for nearly two years and they have made progress ... watch this space, there will be iwi solutions."
Tabuteau believed temporary housing in tiny homes "away from our golden mile" was an option.
"I am referring specifically to the land that has been emptied of homes to accommodate the non-existent larger planes that were supposed to be flying into our airport from international ports.
"Williton Rd [in Hannah's Bay] is an example of a site that used to have houses on it. It is ready to go. We could place tiny homes that would be so much nicer than the motels on these sites, create real liveable conditions that are actually healthy for families, mum and the kids, actual communities that can be contained and managed."
He said the solution would be temporary but would happen "swiftly while public housing was built both nationally and locally.
"This would be quick and easy and still provide a better standard of living."
He said the Government needed to start paying motel owners "real market rental".
"Not the massive sums that incentivise foreign or absent property owners to maximise their commercial return by housing as many homeless as possible, in a town they didn't live in prior to their relocation and don't give a rat's derriere about."
"It is being made appealing in a gross way."
He said Rotorua "demonstrably" could not cope with "this disproportionate load", was "being asked to do too much" and its "famous local hospitality was being taken advantage of".
"There are solutions here in Rotorua for those that actually belong to us. Solutions that would see people housed, supported and provided real service solutions and allow Fenton St to become a place for international jetsetters once again."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Mayoral candidate's statement on emergency housing
Enquiry
Rotorua mayoral candidate Fletcher Tabuteau says emergency housing in motels is having a destructive effect on the city and says the Government needs to "fix this mess up today".
He has also claimed there needs to be iwi "solutions" to house those in housing need in Rotorua and also to address some of those in need of housing who also have mental health and drug addiction and rehabilitation needs.
He also believes tiny homes could be built on land in Hannah's Bay in Rotorua on land which was previously cleared to accommodate the airport / flight paths. He says tiny homes could be used instead of motels to accommodate homeless people.
I would like to provide these comments (below) to the Minister for Housing, Associate Minister for Housing (Homelessness) and Minister of Social Development for the right of reply, as well as MSD, MHUD and Kāinga Ora.
Could I please also ask the Housing Minister:
Is she confident every solution to address homelessness and the emergency housing situation in Rotorua has been explored? Why / why not?
Can I please also ask the Associate Housing Minister (Homelessness):
How does she believe this situation should be addressed? What work has she been doing in this space?
Does she believe emergency housing in motels is a safe place for people to live? Why / why not?
For the Tourism / Regional Development Minister:
Is he concerned about the impact of emergency housing in motels in Rotorua (and associated issues) on the tourism industry in Rotorua and the international reputation of the town? Why / why not?
For the council:
Is Tabuteau's suggestion of the use of land near the airport feasible? I understand there may be District Plan implications with it with those properties. If you could clarify the limitations on those properties on Williton Rd that would be appreciated.
For the mayor:
Do you believe Tabuteau's suggestions are feasible and do you believe there are alternative solutions available? If so, what are they?
COMMENTS:
Fletcher Tabuteau said emergency housing in motels was "literally destroying" the tourist town.
He said tourism leaders had challenged him to "push harder" on the "Fenton St debacle".
"Rotorua is being literally destroyed by a Government who is taking us for granted.
"They need to stop and fix this mess up today.
"Rotorua is sitting on the precipice, but New Zealand's international reputation as a travel destination will be compromised too and soon, if no action is taken immediately.
"It's not just lazy Kiwi sitting on their backsides living in these motels, but that is a lot of them, and the sooner the Government stops apologising for them and to them, the sooner we can hold them to account and send them packing."
Tabuteau said motels were not the place for people with mental health issues and drug addiction.
"They should not be there. It is destructive to the individual and destructive to the community."
Tabuteau said there were also "good people who genuinely need help and support" and the district was willing to support them to "find their feet again".
"We have plenty of jobs and support networks for people who want to be part of the answer to their circumstances.
"We need to send people home, back to their whānau and support networks."
Tabuteau said mental health and drug rehabilitation services were needed, but not just in Rotorua.
"I have been engaging with and supporting this iwi housing kaupapa for nearly two years and they have made progress ... watch this space, there will be iwi solutions."
Tabuteau believed temporary housing in tiny homes "away from our golden mile" was an option.
"I am referring specifically to the land that has been emptied of homes to accommodate the non-existent larger planes that were supposed to be flying into our airport from international ports.
"Williton Rd [in Hannah's Bay] is an example of a site that used to have houses on it. It is ready to go. We could place tiny homes that would be so much nicer than the motels on these sites, create real liveable conditions that are actually healthy for families, mum and the kids, actual communities that can be contained and managed."
He said the solution would be temporary but would happen "swiftly while public housing was built both nationally and locally.
"This would be quick and easy and still provide a better standard of living."
He said the Government needed to start paying motel owners "real market rental".
"Not the massive sums that incentivise foreign or absent property owners to maximise their commercial return by housing as many homeless as possible, in a town they didn't live in prior to their relocation and don't give a rat's derriere about."
"It is being made appealing in a gross way."
He said Rotorua "demonstrably" could not cope with "this disproportionate load", was "being asked to do too much" and its "famous local hospitality was being taken advantage of".
"There are solutions here in Rotorua for those that actually belong to us. Solutions that would see people housed, supported and provided real service solutions and allow Fenton St to become a place for international jetsetters once again."
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
I am not going to appraise individual candidates’ proposals, but I can assure the community I am taking every available opportunity to seek urgency around actions to address Rotorua’s issues.
Council is working hard on all fronts to address all aspects of our housing issues and has to work with government to achieve the changes and outcomes our community needs.
Response from Council:
All of Williton Road is within the Airport Air Noise Control (65dBA) Area (see page 27 of Part 2: General District Wide Matters – Noise of the District Plan for more information). In this area housing is prohibited.
Our planning team is always happy to discuss development options with developers, and how and where they would more appropriately fit with the District Plan.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Investment in mountainbiking
Enquiry
I'm writing about investment in to mountain biking in the region and the impacts it has on communities and economies.
I had asked Rot NZ if they could provide info on investment gone into mountain biking in the last five years but they aren't sure if they have the info or council - would someone please advise if I can be provided this info?
Can it please be explained what investment there has been in the last five years? (Including what, how much) Where did money to fund these things come from?
Response
From Manager Sport, Recreation and Environment, Rob Pitkethley
Our region is lucky in the fact that Rotorua is well known as a biking mecca in New Zealand, and has mountain biking tracks to cater for all types of riders – from less experienced to more professional riders.
Since the late 1980s, Rotorua Lakes Council has worked alongside the landowners, iwi representatives and users of our forests to strategically develop and leverage these unique natural assets.
The Titokorangi and Whakararewara forest trails alone attract an estimated 230,000 people for mountain biking and up to 800,000 other visitors each year, contributing millions from visitor spend to our local economy annually. Council continues to assist with MTB funding to enhance our forest amenities and improve the MTB experience for all.
Developments in the forest still require a huge amount of volunteer labour alongside this, and Rotorua Lakes Council recognise and are appreciative of the impact this mahi has on our forest assets. There are also many others that contribute financially to supporting the mountain bike trail network in Rotorua from individuals making donations to businesses that support the Rotorua Trails Trust and others to build and maintain the many forest trails.
Note: Council funding has been allocated through the Long Term Plan.
Please see below Rotorua Lakes Council investment into mountain biking in the region in the last 5 years:
Biking infrastructure:
- Waipa Valley Forest Access:
- Titokorangi Drive project:
- Te Pūtaki o Tawa:
- Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride:
- Cultural art and signage:
This included: Toilet block, car park, heavy traffic bypass road cost $2.41m (500k + 525k + 1,388k).
Rotorua Trust (RECT) contributed $438k to HT Bypass Rd and the rest was funded by Rotorua Lakes Council. Rotorua Lakes Council also contributed $431k for the BMX Bridge and BMX car park which is in the valley.
Total construction cost was $3.89m. This included road improvements, access, parking and signage. Rotorua Lakes Council and Kānoa - RDU were 50:50 funders.
Total construction cost for car park and toilet block was $4.8m. Rotorua Lakes Council and Kānoa - RDU were 50:50 funders. Te Pūtaki o Tawa commercial shelter also created, and Rotorua Lakes Council contributed approx. $250k.
Total construction for this is $1.54m. This included investment into the Forest Loop and improvements to the ‘City to Forest’ connection. This is solely MTB based. Rotorua Lakes Council and Kānoa - RDU were 50:50 funders.
Approximately $1.2m. This has gone along Titokorangi and at Te Pūtaki o Tawa and is not directly MTB related. Rotorua Lakes Council and Kānoa were 50:50 funders.
Operation funding:
Trail maintenance funding - $850k
Support in kind - $225k
Events (The likes of Rotorua Lakes Council annual contribution to Crankworx):
Funding to support MTB events - $1.025m