11 July 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Cemetery site change process
Enquiry
In reference to notification today re consultation on Sala St site change in purpose from cemetery to local use (see HERE), the reporter had the following enquiry:
Am following up on the Ngāti Whakaue gifted land public notice and had a couple questions I was hoping could please be answered. I am of course contacting Pukeroa Ōruawhata too.
- When was the land gifted for use as a cemetery?
- If the ground is unsuitable for burials can it be explained how it is suitable for housing? (How is it unsuitable for burials?)
- Will there be a need for public consultation following the change of land purpose, specifically for the housing?
- Any other comment?
Response
We provided the following information:
Please see below extract from a news item on RLC website following the Council meeting of 15 December 2022 when this matter came to elected members for a decision.
The links in this will take you to the agenda report which has a lot of background and explanation, including the Reserves Act process which you’ve asked about, and to this part of the meeting recording which provides more info.
We don’t have any comments for you but for your understanding re suitability for housing, there are often engineering solutions that can be undertaken on sites to enable housing but these are not necessarily viable for other uses, eg as in this case, burials. If you wanted more detail re what the solutions to enable housing might be for this site, you would need to speak with Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust.
15 Dec 2022: Consultation on proposed change of reserve purpose
Council has approved public consultation on a proposal to change the purpose of the northern part of the Rotorua Cemetery Reserve, which is unsuitable for burials, to enable its use by mana whenua for housing.
A further report will be progressed on the process to revoke the reserve status of that part of the reserve but this will be a longer process, generally a minimum of two years. Changing the purpose will take just a few months and is an interim step to enable access to and preparation of the site for housing in advance of reserve status being revoked.
Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust has signalled its intention to provide housing on the reserve as part of the Ngāti Whakaue contribution to the Rotorua Housing Accord.
The Trust is in ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regarding funding opportunities to enable housing on the site, a report to the Council notes. The report notes that the provision of community housing is consistent with the intent of the Rotorua Housing Accord.
It is proposed that the stated purpose be changed under Section 24A of the Reserves Act 1977 from Local Purpose (Cemetery) Reserve to Local Purpose (Community Housing) Reserve.
The site, on the corner of Sala Street and Te Ngae Road, is not being used for the purpose for which it was originally gifted by Ngāti Whakaue and must therefore be returned to Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue. The reserve classification must be revoked before it is returned.
Go to p37 of the meeting agendato read the full report on this matter
Go directly to this part of the recording of the livestreamed meeting via THIS LINK
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Matariki events
Enquiry
I'm writing a Matariki preview story which will run on Thursday. Is the council putting out a media release for what is on in Rotorua for Matariki weekend or are you able to please supply me with this info?
Response
We provided the following information:
No, we are not putting out a release but see the following links re various events happening in Rotorua. You will also no doubt be aware already that TVNZ is going to be doing live coverage from Mt Ngongotahā, beginning at dawn with a traditional Hautapu ceremony.
Rotorua Nui (our local events website) has the following events listed for Matariki (LINK)
Te Puia are doing a Dawn Service which isn’t loaded on Rotorua Nui. It’s their event so you’ll need to speak to them about it for any further detail but see the following link (LINK)
The Matariki Memorial Video 2023 was published this morning (LINK)
Shauni wrote a story about the video which will give you background: (LINK)
The national one at Ngongotahā is invites only and we’re not sure who the organisers are but see info about it at this link: (LINK)
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Restricted licence tests
Enquiry
I am currently writing a story on the Bay of Plenty having the highest rate of failed restricted driver's licence tests (52%) in the country during 2022.
The national failure rate of restricted tests was 32%.
Would you be willing to speak with me about what you believe the cause of this is? As well as what drivers could do to improve their driving?
I have had my license for around 6.5 years (1F 4 years) and was wondering if there may be a chance to have 30 minutes of your time where we could do a dummy test with an instructor to see if I would still 'pass' the test if I were to take it now? Or maybe I have picked up bad habits I could warn others about?
Or instead, there may be someone in the BOP you know of who has failed a driving test and would want to share their story? They may have a license but could have advice for other people looking to sit a test soon.
Response
We advised the reporter that RLC does not do driver testing or have information about why people don’t pass their learner licence so we did not have anything to add to their story and referred them to NZTA where the data had come from.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rates increase
Enquiry
I am working on an article about how the rates rise could affect pensioners.
The following comments have been put to me. The council has the right of reply to them.
From Aged Concern Rotorua manager Rory O'Rourke:
- O'Rourke expressed concerns the "ridiculous" rates rise would be "unattainable" for many pensioners
- “They’re living off the superannuation, and with the cost of living crisis throughout the whole country – the council can’t throw in the rates rise as well as all the other things that are happening. We are seeing a lot of our members really struggling and coming in to see how we can help them as it is. There’s some real sad cases out there at the moment.”
- O’Rourke said that for elderly homeowners who have to pay life insurance in order to be granted a mortgage, they are already battling a real “catch-22″ that he believed the rates rise would only make more difficult. “I had a couple come in who were asking me about how they could change their life insurance which is costing them $75 a fortnight, on top of their mortgage, and now with the rates rise, it’s just going to make it unattainable for them because they have no other income apart from their superannuation.”
- O’Rourke said although the rates rise would only directly affect homeowners, who make up just below half of Rotorua’s Age Concern members, he believed those renting will also be impacted in the long term. “Obviously landlords can’t carry the extra rates, so they’ll have to offset it by putting their rentals up.”
- O’Rourke was also concerned that some senior community members’ voices may not have been heard during the council’s online survey process.
- Retiree Gerald Hanson said if he and his wife still owned their home in Ngongotahā “there would be a lot of money going out” each month. “If we were still in Ngongotahā our rates would be $5000 a year even with the Government’s rebate.”
Hanson said the rise in rates was “going to hit people very hard”.
“I would say with fuel prices going up as well and the food prices jumping it’s going to be tough.
“I have no idea what next year’s going to bring.”
- Grey Power president Michelle Nahu said the rates rise had not come at a good time for anybody.
“But for the elderly it’s probably a worse time,” Nahu said.
“If you’re on a super we all know that unless you’ve paid for your retirement it’s not a very good time.
“It’s sad because they’ve worked all their lives. They’ve contributed to our community forever. They’ve retired and now they’re living on a pension that’s not enough to meet their living costs.”
Response
From council organisation:
We encourage people to contact the council if there are issues relating to rates payments so that their situation can be assessed, options can be discussed and arrangements agreed.
Some ratepayers may meet the criteria for a rebate through the Government’s rates rebate scheme. People can make appointments via our Customer Centre to see if this is an option for them – please call 348 4199.