Official Information Request - Tatau Tatau magazine

Sent: Wednesday, 13 October 2021 3:49 pm
Subject: LGOIMA request - Tatau Tatau magazine

I refer to your LGOIMA request of 17 September 2021 regarding the Tatau Tatau magazine, and note you had questions under LGOIMA and questions for comment.

Please find below both responses to the LGOIMA questions and comment on the other questions.

LGOIMA RESPONSES:

• The total cost, from September 2020 to September 2021, of the Tatau Tatau magazine, broken down by issue. For each issue, please break down to component costs including but not limited to content creation, design, printing and distribution.
  

  Issue	Printing ($ excl. GST)	Distribution ($ excl. GST)	Contributing writer	Reach (number of households)
  September 2020	$13,921.07	$3,046.32		27,248
  December 2020	$13,921.07	$3,049.79		27,267
  April 2021	$13,985.60	$3,068.58		27,256
  August 2021	$14,386.37	$2,908.60	$750.00	25,483

• The total number of households reached with each issue.
  Refer to above table.
• What kind of material is the magazine made of - including the ink - and if it is recyclable in Rotorua (ie through Rotorua's recycling system, which may have different capabilities compared to other TLAs' services)?
  The magazine is printed on uncoated FSC certified paper which means it comes from responsible forestry. See more about FSC certification HERE
  It is printed on modern offset technology which uses LED UV technology. The ink is solvent free so there is no solvent to evaporate, meaning no environmental pollutants are formed. The ink dries instantly in the print process so no sealants are required. It also uses less power than traditional print technology, helping to reduce overall CO2 emissions.
  Both the ink and paper are recyclable, so the magazine is recyclable through Rotorua’s recycling system.
• If it comes in any kind of weather-proofing wrapping, what is the wrapping made of and is it recyclable in Rotorua?The magazine is not wrapped.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

QUESTIONS FOR COMMENT:

• Can you please comment on these costs, what budget stream they come from and what impact it has on the council's finances.
• What is the council's view of the magazine's impact, reach and use?
• Can you please comment on how recyclable (or not) the magazine is?
• and a general comment on what feedback, if any, the council receives from residents about the magazine and its use.

Comments attributable to Oonagh Hopkins, DCE District Leadership and Democracy:

The work and decisions of Council affect everyone in our district and as people seek and receive news and information in different ways, we need to use various ways to communicate with the community.

Council has made considerable efforts to increase engagement with the community and increase the reach of council information. New channels introduced in recent years include livestreaming of meetings, a dedicated online consultation tool (Let's Talk - Korero Mai), a weekly e-panui people can subscribe to and the Tatau Tatau magazine. Council has also increased its use of social media and its use of community-based publications as a way to reach more people.

The magazine celebrates people and work in our community, as well as providing details about upcoming events, and information and updates about council services, projects and partnerships. It enables us to reach nearly 27,000 households throughout the district, with copies also available at Rotorua Library and provided to about 60 local organisations and businesses, at their request. The magazine is also available in digital form on Council’s website.

Council receives occasional feedback about the magazine, both positive and negative – as would be expected. We are always happy to receive constructive feedback and suggestions that help us improve the provision of information to our community.

Allocated budget that was previously used for other things such as print media advertising was reallocated to the magazine, enabling us to go directly to more than 27,000 letterboxes. This allocation is part of the annual communications team budget.

The magazine has always been recyclable through Council’s recycling services.

Regards