Official Information Request - 1 August 2018

Response:

Sent: Tuesday 21 August 2018 3.22pm

Subject: Official information request - Mudtopia

I refer to your email of 1 August regarding travel and dinner costs around Mudtopia, and reply to your questions below:

1. International flights for 15 cultural performers, $35,527.45. Were these performers Korean coming to Rotorua, in which case, where were they accommodated, or was it a local group going to Korea?This cost was reimbursed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was for an invited Te Arawa cultural group to attend and perform at the 20th Anniversary Boryeong Mud Festival. (Council organised and paid for the flights which were subsequently reimbursed). It was not Korean performers coming to Rotorua.
2. Saturday night dinner at Skyline, $1,615.65. How many of this group were Korean and how many were local?This was a group of 15 Koreans hosted by 2 Rotorua locals.

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