13 November 2024

Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Hīkoi mō te Tiriti

Enquiry

I am seeking comment from Mayor Tanya Tapsell about the hikoi which I understand will arrive in Rotorua tomorrow, and whether anyone from the Rotorua Lakes Council intends to welcome the hikoi participants to the city, and if so, who that will be?

Can you confirm where the hikoi participants will gather when do arrive in Rotorua and what the council is doing to ensure the hikoi participants rights to protest are maintained alongside the maintenance of public safety?

Can the Rotorua Lakes Council as comment the impacts on the city from this type of gathering descend on the city/

Response

RLC org provided the following information:

Council is coordinating with the Police and Waka Kotahi on traffic management related to the hikoi. We have also created some flyers which are being delivered to businesses along the hīkoi route, notifying of anticipated disruptions while it makes its way up Fenton St. These are the only roles council has played in the event.

Police are working directly with the hīkoi organisors and are the best point of contact for further details on timing and other specifics.

Mayor Tapsell provided the following comment:

I’ve not been contacted by the hikoi organisers as they are focused on Government policy which I appreciate has been disappointingly and unnecessarily divisive.

This is creating a movement across our country, and it’s expected many locals from our community will participate to show their support for the founding document of our country, as well as the principles of partnership within it.

In Rotorua we will be continuing our strong and beneficial relationship with our local iwi and hapu as we respect our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the valuable contribution of Māori to our past, present, and future.