18 Mar 2025: Koutu housing, Homegrown festival, CE interview
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Koutu housing development
Enquiry
I'm writing a story about the new housing development on Bennetts Rd in Koutu and the progress that has been made since we last reported on it in September.
Home in Place said Rotorua Lakes Council representatives recently toured the 28 affordable rental properties which are currently under construction and due to be completed by October.
Would the council like to provide a statement for the story, including how this will help address Rotorua's housing shortage?
Response
From Community and District Development Group Manager Jean-Paul Gaston:
Housing remains a top priority for Rotorua Lakes Council and we currently still have a shortage of all types of housing, including affordable rentals to support people on lower incomes, so progress towards catering for this group through developments like the Homes In Place development is great news.
We’re starting to see housing development in the city ramp up again following record consents being issued in recent years.
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Media: Stuff
Topic: Homegrown music festival
Enquiry
I am working on an article about the potential home of the Homegrown music festival and where it could land. There have been a few potential places named and Rotorua being one of them. So I am going around the respective mayors and asking why their place would be a good fit for the festival
Would you like to host Homegrown? Have you approached promoters about it?
What makes Rotorua a good place to hold Homegrown?
Do you have the facilities to hold such a festival?
Do you have enough accommodation etc?
Do you have the population to make it a success?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell:
“Homegrown has been an iconic New Zealand festival that myself and others have great memories of attending.
“Rotorua attracts a real diverse range of events as we have plenty of accommodation, great facilities, and being in the central North Island means we’re easy to travel to for many concert goers.
“We’ve shared background information with the promoters about our capacity and ability to host Homegrown. We’d love to continue the discussion and think it’s an exciting next chapter for the festival.
“Regardless of where it lands we hope that it continues to bring people together and provides a platform for the many talented artists from New Zealand.”
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Interview with CE
Enquiry
Reporter sought interview with CE Andrew Moraes to cover a number of topics including the Tarawera sewerage scheme and the organisational reset
Response
The face to face interview was yesterday (Monday) afternoon.
Topics covered were: Tarawera sewerage scheme, organisational reset, new engagement platform (Participate) being launched soon by RLC, pre-election report and drug testing of wastewater.
