Official Information Request - 14 October 2018

Sent: Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:08 p.m.

Subject: TRIM: LGOIMA request - Travel by Cr Maxwell

I refer to your email of 14 October 2018, under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, querying the recent travel by Cr Maxwell to Japan, and respond below as per your questions:

1 What "Council business" was the reason for Cr Maxwell's trip to Japan?

Beppu City has been an active sister city with Rotorua since 1987. During a sister city visit to Rotorua in July 2018 a delegation from Beppu led by Mayor Nagano invited Cr Maxwell to lead a small 6-member cultural group to visit Beppu in October to perform at various functions to mark one year to go to the Rugby World Cup. Beppu City is hosting three Rugby World Cup games where New Zealand, Wales and Australia will play.

2 If this was in relation to the Rugby World Cup 2019, what definite benefits would be assured for Rotorua?

Under Ombudsman guidelines official information is any information 'held' by Council. As your request is not for any material 'held' by Council it is not covered by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act and therefore will not be responded to.

3 If the trip was "Council business", were the costs met by ratepayers? Alternatively, how was the trip paid for?

Airfares and accommodation for Cr Maxwell and the group were paid by Beppu City.

4 What accommodation costs were incurred and who paid?

As per No.3.

5 Did performers also go?

Yes, as noted above

6 If so, what was the purpose and how were those airfares and accommodation costs covered?

As per No.1 and No.3

7 What was the total cost for all aspects of this trip?

As per No.3 above, all airfare and accommodation costs were paid by Beppu City Council. The only contribution from Rotorua Lakes Council was $661 (incl GST) for a shuttle to and from Auckland airport for the group.

As per the Act, we are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10 152

WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint.

Regards