19 August 2024
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Iwi protest over Tarawera sewerage scheme pipeline
Enquiry
headed down to the protest at Rotokākahi which I'm sure you 're aware of. Have some comments for response please and some questions.
Control board co-chair Peter Moke said the cameras installed at the road edge were “quite intimidating”.
The cameras were installed on a narrow berm opposite to the lake edge.
It is the access point to two Ngāti Tumatawera pā: Te Ohu and Te Pureirei, and is also where vehicles park when accessing the lake.
A fence was installed around the camera, along the widest section of the berm.
Moke said he had parked there on Friday night, but was told to move his vehicle or be towed away. The fence and camera were installed.
“Being locked out of our own whenua.”
Moke said the council had “tried to say there were no historical sites there”.
He understood work was meant to start by the lake on Monday but work crews left when they saw the protestors.
Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith said the pā sites were particularly significant given the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886
Skipwith said iwi proposed alternatives to the council, such as rerouting the pipeline so as not to disturb the kōiwi (bones) buried in the area.
“I wouldn’t want to be building anything under your grandparents.”
Skipworth believed there could be “massive implications” if a leak or blockage happened causing environmental damage.
“Mana whenua have tried time and time again to offer alternative options to ensure the mana of the environment remains intact, and the sewerage system can continue.”
He said it was a “passive and peaceful” resistance on iwi land.
“We won’t be touching equipment on our whenua. We will just occupy it, basically sitting there.”
The trust was concerned sewage could flow into Te Wairoa Stream and the sacred lake.
Skipwith also held concerns the infrastructure planned - a tank - to be built on the fenced-off berm would not fit on the council land and would encroach on iwi land.
Can I please ask who installed the camera and fence and what it cost? Why installed?
Is this camera actively monitored and how often?
Whose land is this on?
What consideration was given to iwi access to these historical and culturally significant sites?
When will work at the lake edge begin?
How long is it expected to take?
What incidents, if any, is the council aware of from today's protest?
Will the council approach the trust to discuss the matter?
When did the council become aware of the protest and what has its actions been or will be?
Response
General Manager Infrastructure and Environment, Stavros Michael:
The scheme has been the result of extensive community consideration over many years, including discussion with and input from iwi and hapū. Arriving at the preferred option followed careful consideration of all technical, cultural, financial and planning factors.
Work, which includes site re-establishment restarted today (Monday 19 August) and is expected to take up to four weeks. To protect contractors and equipment, fixed cameras which record constantly have been installed across the work site which is on Council’s legal road corridor. Estimates for the CCTV are approximately $3,000. Temporary fencing has been erected to complete the works safely. The safety of contractors and road users, the protection of public assets and avoiding costly delays is paramount.
There is full access to the lake and Department of Conservation land on either side of the road reserve, but to protect the contractors and public, the roadway has been reduced to one lane while these works are carried out.
We have had extensive dialogue with the Rotokakahi Board of Control and acknowledge people's right to peaceful protest. We’re unaware of any incidents today.
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Media: NewsTalkZB
Topic: Iwi protest over Tarawera sewerage scheme pipeline
Enquiry
I was wondering if I could get a statement about the protest action that Ngāti Tūmatawera are carrying out today in opposition to the wastewater pipeline near Lake Rotokakahi.
There's been some accusations that the council has failed to properly listen to Iwi and has refuse good alternatives.
I would appreciate a response which responds to those two accusations.
Response
From General Manager Infrastructure and Environment, Stavros Michael:
Work on the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme was paused in January following protest obstruction, interference with the work site and safety concerns raised by the contractor. Contractors have re-established at the site today to continue works on the road corridor that Council is legally permitted to install water, stormwater and wastewater pipelines within.
The purpose of the Tarawera scheme is to protect the health of the community and the lake. Without the scheme, untreated human wastewater will continue to leach through groundwater into Lake Tarawera which is unacceptable to all parties.
We understand some do not support the pipeline running along Tarawera Road and we acknowledge people’s right to peaceful protest. However, Council is bound by legal commitments and we cannot now re-design or re-route the project, changing decisions made some four years ago which would come at a significant cost to the Tarawera community.
The scheme has been the result of extensive community consideration over many years, including discussion with and input from, iwi and hapū. Arriving at the preferred option followed careful consideration of all technical, cultural, financial and planning factors.
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Media: NZ Herald (The Front Page podcast)
Topic: Regional issues
Enquiry
Chelsea Daniels, host of the NZ Herald's daily news podcast, The Front Page, requested an interview with Mayor Tapsell as part of a series of episodes about issues facing the regions.
Mayor Tapsell was interviewed this afternoon. The reporter asked about emergency housing and the emergency housing applications that will be going before commissioners, tourism and the state of infrastructure. The reporter noted she had also spoken to a Rotorua Daily Post reporter who noted that there had been improvement with regards to emergency housing.
*NOTE: reporter did not know when the podcast series would be running.
Response
Mayor Tapsell made the following points:
Rotorua still suffering reputational damage of emergency housing situation. However, tourism is bouncing back and Rotorua remains a great place to live and visit.
Doing our best to end emergency housing in motels asap but reality is there are still many motels in use and situation can’t be changed overnight. However, Govt has a plan we can have faith in to reduce and stop use of contracted motels. Use of motels has already reduced a massive 64%.
People no longer in emergency housing back in private rentals; families being prioritised for housing; Kainga Ora building social housing and some great iwi-led initiatives helping people get into homes.
Tourism has come back strongly, some operators say last summer was busier than ever + seeing investment like Wai Ora spa which is up for an international award. Council also investing, in fixing museum.
Re infrastructure: Rotorua in a pretty strong position, RLC has maintained investment in 3 waters but as seen in other places, you’re only one major event from needing help so it’s worth also exploring potential benefits of partnering with others. With flooding a risk here we’re making sure we’re being progressive in terms of our investment.
We’re focusing heavily on tourism, building back our museum and supporting locals and local events – lot of great things happening here, including array of events, and we hope to see more people checking out what Rotorua offers.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Emergency housing consent applications
Enquiry
I was wondering if it were possible to get a final figure this morning on how many submissions were received for MHUD's applications to extend emergency housing at 7 motels?
Also, could you get a figure on how many are for and how many against?
further to this, I'm not sure if the council wants to make any comment in response but Carolyne Hall from Restore Rotorua has commented she wouldn't be surprised if the number of submissions were much lower this time around.
She said "Rotorua locals are worn out" and they "don't trust the process". She said they said no last time and the commissioners still agreed to allow contracted emergency housing to continue.
I realise the council is separate from the commissioners but they are in charge of the "process", so I thought I'd offer the chance to respond if you wish.
Subsequent from reporter:
Reynold Macpherson [Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Chairman] has also made comment. I assume the same goes for his comments (that you decline to respond given he is a submitter)?
Macpherson told the Rotorua Daily Post the significant drop in the number of submissions received this time around showed a “collapse in confidence” in the independence of the commissioners.
He said last time an estimated 80 per cent of those submitting expressed opposition to the consents being granted.
“It was therefore a shock to residents and ratepayers in mid-December 2022 that the commissioners granted the Hud resource consents to operate emergency accommodation in all 13 motels.”
“Our conclusion is that taking the community for fools is a surefire method of destroying the legitimacy of local and central government. We want our city back.”
Response
From Group Manager, Community and District Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:
The Ministry for Housing and Urban Development has applied for new resource consents to continue to use seven motels for contracted emergency housing for one year through to 15 December 2025. We are processing seven resource consents and each will be considered by an Independent Hearings Commissioner.
Submissions closed on Friday 16 August 2024. Submitters could lodge submissions on one or more application(s).
As of the 16 August, 26 individuals/groups lodged submissions on one or more of the applications. The 26 submitters made a total of 122 submissions across the seven applications.
We are currently analysing the submissions. It is not appropriate to comment on any submissions during this statutory process and as Carolyne Hall is a submitter, it would also be inappropriate for us to comment on her statement.
RLC response to subsequent “right of reply” provided to Reynold Macpherson comment:
The same [as above] applies to Reynold Macpherson as well. But thank you for checking with us.
