24 January 2024

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Lakeland Queen

Enquiry

I have been provided with the notice given to Terry Hammond to move the Lakeland Queen by July 15 as well as the LGOIMA'd agenda for the November 2 protocol committee meeting. I had some comment for response please. The below will also be provided to Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

Hammond agreed with Tina Ngatai in principle.

“Nobody wants it there, including us . . . it is not where it should be.”

Hammond said even if the jetty was strengthened or a new one was built, he doubted he would be able to operate given Te Arawa Lakes Trust believed it damaged the lakebed.

“It is very clear that these person/persons do not want us to operate from the original position we have been operating in for 37 years.”

Te Arawa Management Limited are the ultimate holding company of the float plane, Volcanic Air.

“Even the float plane got stuck in the mud whilst the Lakeland Queen was entering the channel to berth. That surely would have disturbed the lakebed.”

Hammond said he had been upfront with potential boat buyers of the situation.

“It has had many enquiries, but the boat only has value if it can operate on the lake.”

Hammond said the boat was in working order aside from minor damage resulting from break-ins, and the engine is started every week.

He said it was an aesthetically pleasing, “beautiful icon”.

Asked what options he had for moving the boat, he said he asked several times where he could operate from. Pitkethley suggested Motutara Point, where it is dry-docked, but given the committee’s wanting him to move it from there doubted he would get approval.

Hammond was also not keen to operate there as the area became “a den of inequity” at night.

“I have no clue what I will do.”

What are the consequences if he does not move the boat by July 15?

Any comment or important information from the council or mayor as the committee chair that is not covered in the above?

Response

From RLC organisation:

Council has done all it can to assist Mr Hammond, as outlined in response to your previous enquiry (14 December 2023 - Rotorua Lakes Council)

We have nothing further to add to the information that was provided at that time. Please feel free to use any of that information again.

Re: What are the consequences if he does not move the boat by July 15?

That’s something we would work through with Mr Hammond if needed. We have provided multiple extensions to his slippage permit to-date – the boat has been there since late October 2021 – and our expectation is that the boat will be removed by July 15, as requested.

From Mayor Tania Tapsell:

Council has gone above and beyond to assist Mr Hammond to get back in business, including waiving slippage charges for keeping the boat at Motutara Point since October 2021.

Iwi have also been understanding of the challenges faced by the business and have patiently allowed the boat to remain on their gifted land for over two years while Mr Hammond worked through the options available to him.

As Mr Hammond has unfortunately been unable to find a solution, Council will continue to support him to remove the boat within the given timeframes.

While some businesses have had a tough time over the past few years, tourism has been booming once again in Rotorua, with many telling us they’ve had a busy and successful summer.

Supporting the continued growth of tourism and jobs in Rotorua remains a priority for Council.