Media: Radio NZ
Topic: Rainbow Storytime event planned for Rotorua Library
Enquiry
I am looking into the press release from Brian Tamaki where he plans to disrupt the Drag Queens Rainbow Storytelling at the Rotorua Library this Thursday. Is there anyone from council free for a quick pre-recorded interview on reaction to this news and what is planned for the event?
Response:
We provided the following statement for Radio NZ's use:
Rainbow Storytime is a family friendly event aimed at younger children, incorporating book reading, singing and dancing. The event is focussed on acceptance, anti-bullying, inclusion, being kind and having confidence in yourself. It has been a popular event in many other libraries and registrations for the event at Rotorua Library were full.
Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, we have had to make the decision to cancel the event.
We know this will also be extremely disappointing for the children, their parents and other community members who wanted to participate in an entertaining and empowering learning experience.
Rotorua Library is an inclusive and safe space that encourages understanding and tolerance in our community and we have received a lot of positive feedback and support for the event. Unfortunately, not all our residents feel the same way and we have become aware that protests have been organised that changes the security profile of this event.
We acknowledge people’s right to peaceful protest and made multiple attempts to contact representatives of the protests to ask that they respect the space, library users and those who had chosen to attend the event. Unfortunately, there has been no response from these representatives.
Without these assurances, Council needed to review its security plan for Rainbow Storytime. We considered the hostile dialogue on social media and the rapid spread of misinformation about the performers and the purpose of the event as key factors.
The safety of people attending our events, and our staff, is a priority and this is especially important for events designed for young children. Having met with Police and our community safety team, despite our best efforts, we have regretfully decided that our security resource is insufficient to ensure the safety of library users and event attendees given the lack of information about the intended protests.
We are disappointed we have been obliged to make this decision. It reflects the change in circumstances rather than a change in the values of inclusivity, anti-bullying and positivity.
We have notified attendees that we have cancelled the event.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Rainbow Storytime event planned for Rotorua Library
Enquiry
I have spoken
with the hosts of Rainbow Storytime and will be attending their session on
Thursday - I understand it is in a public space but wanted to give a heads up
I'll be there given the nature of the event. Both Sunita and Daniel will speak
to me following the event. I will, of course, be sensitive of the children
around including in any photography and reporting.
Sunita said the
library has been trying for a few years now to host the pair but things like
the pandemic got in the way - I think it was all pretty much covered off in the
council meeting the other day and in the FAQ page but would anyone like to
provide comment as to why the library wanted to host Rainbow Storytime, the
impact is has on the Rotorua community (and its significance) and what it would
say to any of the protestors planning to be there on the day?
Can I also ask
how the protest will be managed? I.e. does the library have security etc to
ensure the safety of children and public attending either the event or the
library while the event is taking place?
I am also aware there is no more room for more attendees - can I ask if there was any extraordinary scrutiny as to who was registering? I.e. is there any chance these spots were taken up by protesters?
Response:
We provided the following statement:
Rainbow Storytime is a family friendly event aimed at younger children, incorporating book reading, singing and dancing. The event is focussed on acceptance, anti-bullying, inclusion, being kind and having confidence in yourself. It has been a popular event in many other libraries and registrations for the event at Rotorua Library were full.
Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, we have had to make the decision to cancel the event.
We know this will also be extremely disappointing for the children, their parents and other community members who wanted to participate in an entertaining and empowering learning experience.
Rotorua Library is an inclusive and safe space that encourages understanding and tolerance in our community and we have received a lot of positive feedback and support for the event. Unfortunately, not all our residents feel the same way and we have become aware that protests have been organised that changes the security profile of this event.
We acknowledge people’s right to peaceful protest and made multiple attempts to contact representatives of the protests to ask that they respect the space, library users and those who had chosen to attend the event. Unfortunately, there has been no response from these representatives.
Without these assurances, Council needed to review its security plan for Rainbow Storytime. We considered the hostile dialogue on social media and the rapid spread of misinformation about the performers and the purpose of the event as key factors.
The safety of people attending our events, and our staff, is a priority and this is especially important for events designed for young children. Having met with Police and our community safety team, despite our best efforts, we have regretfully decided that our security resource is insufficient to ensure the safety of library users and event attendees given the lack of information about the intended protests.
We are disappointed we have been obliged to make this decision. It reflects the change in circumstances rather than a change in the values of inclusivity, anti-bullying and positivity.
We have notified attendees that we have cancelled the event.
Subsequent enquiry from reporter:
Am I able to get a response to the below please?
20th March 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spurious ‘Heath and Safety’
claims lead Rotorua Lakes Council to cancel Rainbow Storytime; thugs’ veto
lives on
Rotorua Lakes Council has either
bowed to ‘thugs veto’ and canceled the Rainbow Storytime event which was set to
occur tomorrow, or simply acted on contrived threats as an excuse to cancel the
event. Either way, this sets a dangerous precedent for free expression and the
rights of all Kiwis to access public venues, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief
Executive of the Free Speech Union.
“After the Council originally
said it wasn’t their place to determine ‘who can and cannot have their freedom
of expression’ (a decision which the FSU applauded), they backtracked and
canceled the event over ‘health and safety concerns’ due to a protest planned
outside the event.
“Council venues legally cannot
discriminate access to venues based on the views speakers express. Following
the Supreme Court ruling in
Moncrief-Spittle v Regional Facilities Auckland
Limited
[2022] NZSC 138, the bar has been set high for when councils can
cancel events on these grounds.
“The Free Speech Union has
consistently insisted that public venues must not pick and choose which
perspectives are allowed to be expressed on the premises. Equally, we must not
allow public debate to be impoverished by giving in to bullies.
“Free speech has to go both ways.
Defending someone’s right to speak does not mean you agree with their
views.
“Whether you want to attend the
event,
or peacefully protest outside, it is your right to do so.
The Council should defend this right. Having failed to do so, it is possible
the Council has acted in an illegal manner. We have contacted the Council and
will be reviewing the details of this case.”
ENDS
Note to
editor:
letter to Rotorua Lakes Council attached.
Response to subsequent enquiry:
Nothing further from the organisation at this stage but thanks for checking.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Mediaworks
Topic: Rainbow Storytime event planned for Rotorua Library
Enquiry
I am a reporter with Mediaworks Radio news.
I'm just looking for confirmation that the planned drag queen storytelling at the library has been cancelled.
Also, is there a statement I could use?
Response:
We provided the following statement for Radio NZ's use:
Rainbow Storytime is a family friendly event aimed at younger children, incorporating book reading, singing and dancing. The event is focussed on acceptance, anti-bullying, inclusion, being kind and having confidence in yourself. It has been a popular event in many other libraries and registrations for the event at Rotorua Library were full.
Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, we have had to make the decision to cancel the event.
We know this will also be extremely disappointing for the children, their parents and other community members who wanted to participate in an entertaining and empowering learning experience.
Rotorua Library is an inclusive and safe space that encourages understanding and tolerance in our community and we have received a lot of positive feedback and support for the event. Unfortunately, not all our residents feel the same way and we have become aware that protests have been organised that changes the security profile of this event.
We acknowledge people’s right to peaceful protest and made multiple attempts to contact representatives of the protests to ask that they respect the space, library users and those who had chosen to attend the event. Unfortunately, there has been no response from these representatives.
Without these assurances, Council needed to review its security plan for Rainbow Storytime. We considered the hostile dialogue on social media and the rapid spread of misinformation about the performers and the purpose of the event as key factors.
The safety of people attending our events, and our staff, is a priority and this is especially important for events designed for young children. Having met with Police and our community safety team, despite our best efforts, we have regretfully decided that our security resource is insufficient to ensure the safety of library users and event attendees given the lack of information about the intended protests.
We are disappointed we have been obliged to make this decision. It reflects the change in circumstances rather than a change in the values of inclusivity, anti-bullying and positivity.
We have notified attendees that we have cancelled the event.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Bay of Plenty Times
Topic: Building consents
Enquiry
I'm working on a story following a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday in which the commission discussed a report showing there has been a "significant reduction" in new dwelling building consents. A subsequent interview with council staff says this reduction is reflective of a national trend that began when interest rates began to increase in late 2021.
I'd like to see what the situation is in Rotorua please.
For your easy reference, the report details for this are found under agenda item 11.9, point 76: REPORT
The discussion among commissioners in the council meeting highlighted concern that the drop in consents and CCCs for new builds would exacerbate Tauranga's housing shortage (which is already at 5500) and increase house prices, making the city's status as NZ's most unaffordable "even worse". It is among the last items discussed in this recording of the meeting:
Can you please tell me:
- how many building consents for new dwellings, and CCCs for new dwellings, were granted in January 2024?
- and what was the forecast or expected figure for these consents for that month (plus in general)?
- how do the January figures compare with other months in the past year? Is this part of an overall drop, as is being experienced elsewhere in the country? If so, please explain why you believe this is. If not, please explain why this could be.
- what concerns, if any, does this drop (if there is one locally) raise regarding Rotorua? (does the council also worry about increased house prices and availability?)
Also, if it transpires that this is something Rotorua is also experiencing would it be possible to arrange a pic and vid with whoever would be the most appropriate staff member to speak to this, sometime tomorrow? Obviously, I don't expect an answer right away given we don't know if this is a local issue or not, but if so, I'd be keen to try this if it's not too much trouble. In Tauranga, commissioners have spoken to concerns for the city's house affordability etc.
Response
From Integrated planning and Development Manager Jason Ward:
As at 31 December 2023 there were 800 dwellings in a building consent process and construction finished on 410 dwellings in the year ending 31 December 2023. Both results are records for the Rotorua district.
We are seeing significant interest and investment in residential development in Rotorua including by iwi, retirement housing developers and Kāinga Ora which has a substantial build programme in Rotorua at various stages in the pipeline.
Given the growth we’re seeing in housing builds, the main risk for us is whether the construction sector has sufficient capacity.
Re how many building consents for new dwellings, and CCCs for new dwellings, were granted in January 2024?
- 37 Residential building consents were issued in January 2024.
- 18 Residential CCCs were issued in January 2024.
Re what was the forecast or expected figure for these consents for that month (plus in general)?
We typically see reduced numbers in January due to the impact of the Christmas break – ie it is a shorter month for the industry.
Re how do the January figures compare with other months in the past year? Is this part of an overall drop, as is being experienced elsewhere in the country? If so, please explain why you believe this is. If not, please explain why this could be.
Looking month by month isn’t that useful as a comparison. What we look at is the overall trend over, say, a quarter – see the graphs below showing year on year increase in building consents and residential buildings under construction in Rotorua.
