7 June 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Abuse of council and CCO staff
Enquiry
I have been catching up with last week's meeting and wondered if someone were able to help with some questions please?
Specifically, I am interested in how staff retention was difficult for Infracore with poaching going on, as well as the nature of the some of the jobs not being attractive and staff copping abuse from the public. Would be great to have some council perspective on this.
I was wanting to know if the council had issues with these things, and if so, how significant has it been in the last few months, and if it is any worse than normal?
Can any examples please be provided of what has happened, and how employees feel following the events? Any message to the public?
Response
From DCE Organisational Enablement Thomas Collé:
Everybody has a right to go about their work safely and in our view any attack, whether it’s verbal abuse, threats or physical assault, is completely unacceptable and is taken very seriously.
Most people are courteous when dealing with council staff but unfortunately, abuse occurs fairly regularly, although not in large numbers.
Frontline staff like our customer centre advisors, library staff, Safe City Guardians and animal control staff, tend to be subjected to abuse more than others and this is always unsettling and can have long-term impacts if serious.
We would ask people to remember that our staff, and CCO staff, are also members of the community and deserving of respect as they go about their daily work.
Regarding recruitment, people have many reasons for making employment decisions and Council strives to be a good employer but like many other organisations, finds it difficult to fill roles that are in high demand across public and private sectors.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: SH30/Te Ngae roadworks
Enquiry
I'm working on an update on the roadworks and traffic situation on Te Ngae Rd / SH30, particularly at the SH30/SH33 intersection where a roundabout is being constructed.
As I understand it, that road is Waka Kotahi's project however I was hoping the council would be able to provide:
- Attributable comment from a representative of Rotorua Airport about how the roadworks and traffic flow have affected Rotorua Airport's operations and travellers.
Any further information for commuters going through that area, especially around safety and respecting speed limits.
Response
Re Rotorua Airport, please contact the airport directly and ask to speak to the CE, Nicole Brewer.
Yes the upgrades on SH30/Te Ngae Rd are Waka Kotahi projects so anything regarding that, including information for commuters going through that area, should come from them. Please refer your second question to Waka Kotahi.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Wai Ariki Springs and Spa
Enquiry
I am going to Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa this morning for a media visit, prior to its opening on June 16.
I'd be interested in a response from Mayor Tapsell to the below:
What will the opening of Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa mean for Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty region as part of the revival of tourism?
Please feel free to add anything further of importance or relevance.
Response
From Acting Rotorua Mayor Sandra Kai Fong:
“Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is a welcome addition to our already established brand as a world class tourism destination.
“It’s been exciting for Rotorua watching this stunning development be built in the past six months. I was lucky enough to visit a few weeks ago and I can’t wait for the doors to open to locals and visitors.”