16 September 2024
Media: Newsroom
Topic: Maori wards
Enquiry
I'm looking to piece together some data about the recent votes regarding Māori wards. I'm requesting the same information from every council to try to piece together an article.
Could you please respond to this email by Monday afternoon with the following information:
- The voting record of your council on the decision to scrap the ward or hold a binding poll, with names of council members alongside their vote;
- The estimated cost of holding a binding poll should that take place; and
Has your council and/or your members discussed the possibility of not holding a referendum, even if council has not voted to get rid of Māori wards? If so, what would that look like?
Response
The voting record of your council on the decision to scrap the ward or hold a binding poll, with names of council members alongside their vote;
Moved: Cr Rawiri Waru
Seconded Cr Trevor Maxwell
Resolved to retain Te Ipu Wai Taketake Māori Ward for the 2025 election.
Note that this decision will require the holding of a binding poll on the question of Māori ward in conjunction with the 2025 triennial election.
Note that the results of the poll will take effect for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections.
Note that while matter is significant, the timeframe of the Government’s amendment does not allow meaningful community engagement to occur on this decision.
In Favour: Mayor Tania Tapsell, Cr Karen Barker, Cr Lani Kereopa, Cr Trevor Maxwell, Cr Sandra Kai Fong, Cr Gregg Brown Cr Conan O’Brien, Cr Don Paterson, Cr Fisher Wang and Cr Rawiri Waru.
Against: Cr Robert Lee
Please note that the excerpt is from the draft minutes of the Rotorua Lakes Council meeting on August 28. The minutes will be adopted at the upcoming council meeting on September 25.
The estimated cost of holding a binding poll should that take place;
$50,000
Has your council and/or your members discussed the possibility of not holding a referendum, even if council has not voted to get rid of Māori wards? If so, what would that look like?
We have not discussed the possibility of not holding a referendum with our elected members.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Return of international flights to Hamilton
Enquiry
I saw this press release pop through and thought that, while in Hamilton, it's actually pretty significant for our local people to have international flights available at a nearby airport again. I thought I'd whip a little something up for our website this morning in relation to this, particularly the benefits to tourists, tourism businesses, and business people.
I'd love to get a little response from you with your thoughts about this.
Response
From Mayor Tania Tapsell:
“This is massive news for our region. We’re excited that it could unlock more opportunities to grow tourism and support businesses.
“Connectivity and reliability is important to locals and visitors.
“Having international flights only one hour away could bring direct benefits for Rotorua and that’s something we’ll look forward to.”
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Barking dogs on Dalbeth Road
Enquiry
I'm today filing a story on a Ngongotahā man who says he has been complaining for years about the pack of dogs at Rotorua Hunt Club on Dalbeth Rd, his neighbours. THe distance is about 290m between them.
Tom Stephenson moved to the rural outskirts of Ngontotahā in 2009.
At first, there were no issues, but over time he said the dogs got “more and more out of control” and he believed there were between 30 to 50 dogs on the property now, used a handful of times a year.
Every few hours both day and night, the hounds would howl, and individual dogs would yap in between.
“2 am with that horrendous noise is just nuts.”
Stephenson said he began complaining to the council two years ago, but felt his concerns fell on deaf ears.
“It’s gradually gotten worse and worse ... we’re 100% sick of it and it does not matter how many times we complain to the council, they do absolutely nothing.”
Stephenson said he had a meeting with the council and someone had come to the property to check out the noise levels a few months ago.
He had not been provided the results but said he was told the dogs do not bark loud or long enough to be considered a nuisance, and no abatement notice was issued.
“We can hear them above the TV in our lounge.”
Stephenson was told the dogs would need to bark for 15 continuous minutes to be considered a nuisance.
But the dogs' howls lasted 10 minutes or so, would stop for another 10 and then start up again.
“Some days it’s horrendous.”
He understood the hunt club were asked to make a management plan, but the council said he could not be involved in its creation - nor view it.
He said the council refused to provide him with any kennel licence, registrations or resource consents associated to the club.
Stephenson said he was told to keep calling the council with complaints.
“I could ring them five times a day, but all that does to your mental health is screw with your mind.
“You just get sick of it. I don’t want to be a grumpy neighbour, I don’t begrudge anyone their sport.”
He wondered why the club did not “distribute the dogs among its members”.
The club’s response to his complaining was one of “we were here first”, Stephenson said.
“I find that an absolute oxymoron that there is a bylaw currently in place to protect people such as my partner and yet we would have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to get it enforced [through court].”
Stephenson wondered how the situation would be if he and his neighbours followed through on plans to subdivide their sections.
As well as response to the above may I please ask what the council has been doing about this situation? Will do?
Is what Stephenson is experiencing acceptable? Why/why not?
What was the club told to do, if anything, and when did the council check this was actioned? Was it?
What is the noise level the dogs would need to be making for it to be considered a nuisance, and what were they recorded at?
Has the hunt club ever been issued an abatement notice for nuisance dogs and when?
Has it been fined for anything under the dog bylaw, for what and when?
What licenses or registrations does the club need to have to house that many dogs?
I've attached a clip of the dogs howling, as heard from his house at 4am. Are there any times where the levels of noise change for what is considered a nuisance?
Is there any truth to his comment on how the bylaw does not protect the people it is there to protect? How so?
How many complaints of noisy dogs does the council receive each month?
Probably more one for the mayor?
With the bylaw being reviewed would the council consider changing anything relating to nuisance dogs that would help situations like these?
Is it necessary?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell:
“Mr Stephenson’s issue is complex and covers issues related to our Dog Control Bylaw and Dog Policy, as well as the District Plan and Dog Control Act requirements. Bylaw updates for nuisance barking is not a current focus for our Council and district, however we are open to, and will be, considering all public feedback we receive during the Bylaw public consultation process.
“I appreciate these situations can be very stressful. Significant staff time and cost is going into investigating this issue and I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.
“I’m aware council staff have been in frequent contact with Mr Stephenson about this and I have also responded to him directly about his concerns.”
From a Council Spokesperson:
As well as response to the above may I please ask what the council has been doing about this situation? Will do?
Council continues to attend in person to barking complaints wherever possible as well as randomised barking patrols. Both the District Plan and Dog Control Act have been assessed at various points. A barking survey with neighbours took place earlier this year, no additional complainants were identified. As this matter remains under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment on any next steps.
Is what Stephenson is experiencing acceptable? Why/why not? Council’s role is to confirm whether or not regulatory breaches are occurring. All dog owners must be responsible and avoid potential barking issues. We continue to attempt to identify and confirm any breaches.
What was the club told to do, if anything, and when did the council check this was actioned? Was it? As this matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment on next steps. You may wish to speak with the Hunt Club directly.
What is the noise level the dogs would need to be making for it to be considered a nuisance, and what were they recorded at? While the District Plan contains decibels levels, these are analysed in conjunction with multiple other factors to confirm if a compliance issue exists.
Additionally, section 55(1) of the Dog Control Act 1996 deals specifically with ‘nuisance’ barking. When assessed from the site, dog control officers who have received a complaint and have reasonable grounds for believing that a nuisance is being created by the persistent and loud barking or howling of any dog, have options.
Has the hunt club ever been issued an abatement notice for nuisance dogs and when? No.
Has it been fined for anything under the dog bylaw, for what and when? As this matter remains under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further.
What licenses or registrations does the club need to have to house that many dogs? All dogs in the District are required to be registered annually by 30 June. Kennel licences are not required in rural areas, only urban areas to keep more than 2 dogs.
I've attached a clip of the dogs howling, as heard from his house at 4am. Are there any times where the levels of noise change for what is considered a nuisance? Recordings while indicative, are not a reliable measure for enforcement purposes.
Is there any truth to his comment on how the bylaw does not protect the people it is there to protect? How so? No, the Bylaw contains suitable provisions.
How many complaints of noisy dogs does the council receive each month? Since 1 June last year Animal Control has received 1415 complaints about barking across the district.
