19 September 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Complaints about election signs
Enquiry
*NOTE: Information regarding complaints about election hoardings was provided earlier this month but no article has yet been published.
Follow-up questions:
Can we get information on which candidate's hoardings were subject to which complaint? (i.e. which of the candidates had size complaints, signs erected on road reserves, and which one had the private property complaint?)
Would also appreciate some brief explanation of what the "erected on a road reserve" complaint means.
Response
We updated the information previously provided as per table below and provided the following information:
See attached table which sets out all the complaints we’ve had to date, whose sign these were about, where the signs were, what was complained about in regard to the signs and whether the complaint has been actioned. I think this covers what you were wanting.
Also, re “erected on a road reserve” – election signs are not permitted on road reserves or other public land/spaces/buildings – as outlined in Council guidelines on election hoardings or signage (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
For future reference you’ll find the above guidelines along with all other election information for candidates and voters via the Vote 2022 tile that’s on the home page of RLC’s website.
2022 Local Election - Signage Complaints
No. | Date | Candidate whose sign was complained about | Location | Reason for complaint | Actioned |
1 | 12 August | Fletcher Tabuteau | Te Ngae Rd | Size and height above ground | Yes |
2 | 12 August | Fletcher Tabuteau | Te Ngae Rd | Size and height above ground | Yes |
3 | 12 August | Fletcher Tabuteau | Te Ngae Rd | Size and height above ground | Yes |
4 | 12 August | Fletcher Tabuteau | Te Ngae Rd | Size and height above ground | Yes |
5 | 18 August | Kalaadevi Ananda | Awatea Ave | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
6 | 14 August | RDRR | Broadlands Rd | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
7 | 14 August | Karen Barker | Waikaukau Road | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
8 | 18 August | Fletcher Tabuteau | Stembridge Rd | Size and height above ground | Yes |
9 | 21 August | Karen Barker | Cnr Tumunui & Corbert roads | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
10 | 22 August | RDRR | Devon St | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
11 | 25 August | Kalaadevi Ananda | Hilton Rd | Location – one occupant of cross lease property objected to sign at end of shared driveway | Yes |
12 | 26 August | RDRR | By Ngongotaha bridge | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
13 | 26 August | RDRR | Kaharoa Rd | Location – on road reserve | Yes |
14 | 8 Sept | Fletcher Tabuteau | Hemo Gorge | Placement of sign interfering with another election sign. | |
15 | 8 Sept | Gregg Brown | Hemo Gorge | Sign blown over | Yes |
16 | 12 Sept | Kalaadevi Ananda | 28 Pegasus Dr | No permission to erect sign | Yes – sign removed |
17 | 15 Sept | Gregg Brown | Cnr. Peace & Fenton Sts | Location – on road reserve | Yes – agreed to remove sign |
18 | 18 Sept | Gregg Brown | Cnr. Peace & Fenton Sts | Location – on road reserve | Yes – agreed to remove sign |
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Media: Radio Waatea
Topic: Signing of the new partnership between Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara and Rotorua Lakes Council
Enquiry
Radio Waatea asked if someone from Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara would be available to have a kōrero on our live English show Paakiwaha with Dale Husband tomorrow morning to speak about the signing of the new partnership between Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara and Rotorua Lakes Council for ongoing management of the Karamu Takina springs and return of lands.
Response
We connected the radio station with Robyn Bargh, Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara
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Media: Radio NZ
Topic: Signing of the new partnership between Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara and Rotorua Lakes Council
Enquiry
RNZ’s online editor sought to use a selection of RLC photos taken on Saturday at the ceremony to mark the signing of the new partnership between Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara and Rotorua Lakes Council for ongoing management of the Karamu Takina springs and return of lands.
Response
We provided the images requested and names for captions.
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Media: Maori Television
Topic: Emergency housing
Enquiry
We are running a Story on [emergency housing response] and wanting an interview today before 1pm with Mayor if possible.
Questions:
- What is Councils reactions to current Emergency Housing (EH) in Rotorua?
- Te Arawa Iwi are challenging Govt to consider other options to assist in EM housing in Rotorua, what is your reaction?
- What is Council doing to leveate to assist to create change in the circumstances of EM in Rotorua?
Response
Mayor Chadwick was unable to do the interview due to a full day of meetings but provided the following comment for Maori Television to use if they wished:
“It’s great to have Te Arawa’s support. Council is doing all that it can but as we have always said, council can’t do it alone, this issue requires the collective efforts of all parties working together to achieve the change and outcomes our community needs.”
We also provided the following information:
You can also use the statement she made last week following a meeting with ministers in Wellington about Rotorua’s emergency housing situation – you’ll find that statement HERE on Council’s website.
Re what Council is doing with regard to emergency housing:
- Council continues to work with government agencies including MSD and MHUD regarding emergency housing to get improved outcomes for both those in emergency housing and the wider community.
- Council is going through a consenting process with all accommodation providers identified as providing emergency accommodation to ensure that any motels used for emergency accommodation are safe and appropriate with appropriate facilities.
- Council has increased community safety patrols and extended these beyond the CBD to provide additional support for the community and for the police.
- Council is working on a number of fronts to enable more housing and this includes enabling more social housing (Rotorua’s housing shortage includes a shortage of social housing. About 2% of Rotorua’s housing stock is currently social housing, compared to about 4% in the rest of NZ) – and this is happening through planning and strategy work.
Other information that may be useful:
Not sure if you’re aware of Te Pokapū, thecommunity-led housing hub in central Rotoruathat connects people needing emergency and transitional housing with the right support services for them. It is a partnership between Te Taumata, social service providers, MSD, and Lakes DHB.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Emergency housing
Enquiry
Today I am working on a story following up this story but also incorporating the attached press release from mayoral candidate Reynold Macpherson. (SEE ATTACHED RELEASE)
I am seeking council comment namely about the press release including if there is any misinformation or inaccuracies within it (for example I understand Tania Tapsell is no longer the council's housing lead).
In addition, I would welcome any responses to his claims and comments in the final sentence concerning the reserves sale and plan change 9.
In relation to the story hyperlinked above, I would welcome and council comments about the ways iwi have been involved in the emergency housing operation to date and whether the council endorses the iwi calls.
RATEPAYERS DEMAND AN END TO ROTORUA’S HOMELESS INDUSTRY
Press Release: Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers, 17 September 2022
“Rotorua’s ratepayers call on the outgoing Mayor Steve Chadwick, Council’s Lead on Housing, Cr Tania Tapsell, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Megan Woods and the Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni to announce the end of the homeless industry they created,” said Dr Reynold Macpherson, RDRR’s endorsed Mayoral candidate. “We are sick of their attempts to normalize the industry. It is not inevitable and it is ruining Rotorua.”
Each of the industry’s parts will have to be downscaled and dismantled if Rotorua’s tourism industry is to recover, he said. MSD continues to bring in the homeless by the busload. Some are given vouchers by MSD to self-manage their “emergency accommodation” in motels, some still mixed-use without support or supervision, violating the District Plan. Others are linked to services by Te Kopakū (The Hub), a new reception centre owned by Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue and funded by MSD.
“We reject MHUD’s proposal to consolidate the industry in 13 large motels away from “crime central” in Fenton Street,” he said. “They want to offer over 1100 places for stays up to three months. The so-called “wrap round” services with security could process up to 4,000 a year and 20,000 in five years, vastly outstripping the possible supply of homes. Fletcher Tabuteau’s proposal for a refugee camp of tiny homes at the airport is regarded as bizarre. All these proposals will change Rotorua’s character and economy fundamentally, without public consent.”
The Council’s sale of green-space reserves to public housing providers will require another Local Bill to Parliament to get around the protections in the Reserves Act, he said. Its Planned Change 9 for intensification is appropriate for the CBD but will also allow pepper-potting across the suburbs and lacks an Infrastructure Assessment. And Rotorua’s Elected Members’ Workshops are under investigation by the Ombudsman. It is no wonder that ratepayers see the need for “deep change” to fix Council and to fix Rotorua.
Response
The following was provided:
Re responses from council to claims and comments in the release:
It is inappropriate for the council organisation to comment on political/election statements.
Re fact checking, please see the following:
- You’ll need to speak with MSD and MHUD to check what’s been stated about them. RLC does not speak on their behalf.
- Re Tania Tapsell housing role: The Mayor is the lead for housing with Cr Tapsell in a supporting role (as per Council decision of 29 July 2021 re councillor lead roles).
- Re “sale of green-space reserves to public housing providers”: As per the Council’s recent decisions, one site is to be sold directly to Kainga Ora and the others will be via the two-step process that was recommended to Council ie first right of refusal to mana whenua and if no interest then to market via an expressions of interest process.
- Re “Local Bill to Parliament to get around the protections in the Reserves Act ...”: The Local Bill process was recommended because it would be quicker and also because Crown ownership of the sites needs to be transferred to RLC to then enable disposal of these sites.
- Re infrastructure assessment in relation to Plan Change 9: Infrastructure needs were assessed as part of Council’s application to the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) to enable the council to bring forward planned infrastructure investment to support Plan Change 9 and to address climate change.
- Re Ombudsman investigation: As you’ll be aware this is not solely about RLC which is one of 8 councils that are part of investigating the use of workshops and informal meetings by local authorities (plural). For your reference, Ombudsman release about this HERE
- Hub name: In case you haven’t already spotted it, the housing hub is called Te Pokapū not Kopakū.
Re council comments about the ways iwi have been involved in the emergency housing operation to date and whether the council endorses the iwi calls:
Council does not speak on behalf of iwi – you need to speak with them regarding their involvement but as you’ll be aware iwi were involved in the housing taskforce that was established in 2021 and prior to that in the development of the Rotorua housing strategy.
- You’ll find more about the taskforce HERE
- You’ll find more about the housing strategy HERE, including a link to the strategy itself
Mayor Steve Chadwick has provided the following comment:
“It’s great to have Te Arawa’s support. Council is doing all that it can but as we have always said, council can’t do it alone, this issue requires the collective efforts of all parties working together to achieve the change and outcomes our community needs. The need for change to the current unacceptable situation is something I reinforced with Ministers Woods and Sepuloni when I met with them last week and I’m confident progress is being made.”
See mayor’s statement from last week HERE