19 February 2024
Media: Whakaata Maori
Topic: Begging
Enquiry
Could we tee up Mayor and Jean-Paul Gaston for an on camera interview in regards to [begging], please. Next week will be great.
Response
The reporter received the following information (a response to a previous recent media enquiry relating to begging) and informed the mayor's office he no longer required to speak with the mayor.
Information provided:
The Local Democracy Reporter asked if the Council had progressed with a begging bylaw or discussions with the “new Government” about making a begging bylaw easier to police, as mentioned in this story.
Our response was:
From Rotorua Lakes Council Group Manager Community and District Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:
The Rotorua Lakes Council currently has no plans to enact a begging bylaw. Nevertheless, we are actively addressing the issue of people begging on footpaths, roads, and state highways through a multi-staged approach.
Repeat begging has become a public concern, with some individuals exhibiting behaviour that is perceived as threatening, intimidating, and generally disorderly. Safety worries arise from beggars operating on raised centre islands at major intersections and outside busy businesses, presenting a negative image of our city to visitors, tourists, and locals alike.
To address this, our Safe City Guardians are working to educate and support repeat beggars. They inform them about the General Bylaw Act 2017 regarding to nuisance and public safety, directing them to relevant support agencies for assistance. Additionally, they encourage beggars to move on.
Where this has not worked, we have collaborated with Police, who has now begun issuing infringements and trespass notices.
Anecdotally, our teams have observed a decrease in beggar numbers during the summer months. Through interactions with our Guardians, Police, and MSD (Ministry of Social Development), some beggars have opted not to return.
For those who persist in begging and refuse to engage with the support process, the Council will utilise existing legislation to empower Safe City Guardians to lawfully move beggars on.
FYI:
From Mayor Tapsell:
“Our community has been loud and clear that the begging occurring at main intersections has been a nuisance and also a bad look for our top tourism town.
“There’s no doubt the cost of living is putting pressure on families. But in New Zealand those who are struggling financially are fortunate to have assistance provided to them by the Government, and there are many jobs available locally.
“Council has been advocating for and actively investing in a broad range of improvements to decrease social issues in Rotorua and improve community safety. We’ve seen great progress already and crime seemed to have reduced in our inner city over summer.
“The Minister for Police Hon Mark Mitchell and I have been in touch and I look forward to meeting him as soon possible to continue positive discussions on how we can work together to end safety issues in Rotorua.”
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Media: Newstalk ZB
Topic: Begging
Enquiry
I'm helping sort out Heather du Plessis-Allan's show this afternoon and we're keen to follow up Kelly Makiha's [Rotorua Daily Post] story about beggars allegedly coming in from out of town and making fairly good money.
Is this something the Council has heard about? We'd be keen to get Jean-Paul Gaston or the Mayor or someone on Heather's show to talk about it
Response
The request for interview was politely declined by both the Mayor and Mr Gaston.
*NOTE: RLC was not involved in the Rotorua Daily Post article being followed up
