2 April 2025: emergency housing, Tarawera scheme, fluoridation
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Reducing emergency housing in motels
Enquiry
Reporter sought comment from the Mayor about the below news release issued by Minister Potaka:
Emergency housing to end at three Rotorua motels
The Government has today announced it will close an additional three emergency motels in Rotorua as the Government delivers on its promise to end this type of emergency housing by December 2025, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka.
The Government will close Pohutu Lodge, Alpin motel and Geneva Motor Lodge.
“Two of the three motels we have served notice to, Alpin Motel and Pohutu Lodge, are in Whakarewarewa. This is a deliberate effort in support for the Rotorua community who told us their concerns about the scale of contracted emergency housing in Rotorua and particularly in Whakarewarewa,” Mr Potaka says.
“We campaigned on ending the use of our city’s motels like this and restoring Rotorua’s reputation as a world class tourist destination. This week’s announcement is another step in that direction.
Over the last year, we have:
- Instructed government agencies to stop sending homeless people to Rotorua for emergency motels;
- Reduced the number of households in emergency housing from 177 in February 2024 to 69 in February 2025;
- Given first priority to local people for Kainga Ora houses as they become available; and
- Stopped nine Contracted, and one Covid-19, emergency motels.
“Today’s announcement brings the number of emergency motels closed in Rotorua to 10.
“The Government will continue to operate the remaining three contracted emergency housing motels to support those in the community with a housing need, while identifying alternative housing options for them.
“We plan to stop all new referrals into the remaining motels by 15 June 2025, in line with the resource consent conditions,” Mr Potaka said.
Response
From Mayor Tapsell:
“It’s a great win for Rotorua to see the rapid reduction of these motels. We’ve fought really hard to see this legacy issue ended and are grateful the Government has prioritised this, especially in Whakarewarewa, and fixed poor processes that allowed people from out of town into these emergency housing motels.
“While we celebrate ending emergency housing motels, we’re also addressing the cause of this all which is a very real need for more affordable housing. This remains a top priority for our Council and we continue to unlock land and opportunities for new homes to be built.
“Government’s effort to invest and partner with Rotorua organisations and iwi is a great step forward and also supports many local jobs and industries during a tough financial time.
“Looking to the future we also encourage these motel owners to take the opportunity through income earned to upgrade and re-open quality tourism motels again for the millions of visitors to Rotorua each year.”
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Environment Court decision and committee meeting interjection
Enquiry
In light of the Env Court application dismissal can I please ask the following:
What is needed for works to restart and when will this happen?
What is the anticipated cost resulting from this env court process, including delays, site shutdown, restart etc?
In what way will the council involve police in the works restart, if at all?
Any other comment?
And the below is in relation to the interjection at council ( as well as official response to what the mayor said afterwards relating to security concerns at meetings when people break the rules, as discussed with Greg):
Speaking to me after the meeting Melissa Brown said she understood she broke the rules but did not regret it.
She viewed it as respectful.
She intended to go to the meeting to hear information for herself but became emotional.
"It’s very hard when you hear your own whānau holding up project and cost because of the protest."
Her concerns with the project included how she felt consultation was tokenistic, that mitigation to address concerns was not enough, she believed no environmental impact assessment was undertaken and there was no cultural monitor present during works.
"A whole hapū is not being listened to."
She stood by what she said relating to her belief meaningful engagement was the council meeting people at marae and at the lake, how the mayor was the worst she had known and
that individuals were preparing statement of intent for judicial review following the environment court findings.
Relating to the mayor receiving threats and Brown singling the mayor during her interjection, and put to her the mayor does not make decisions on her own, Brown said she was the face of them.
"We’re responding in a natural way…I’m sorry she might feel unsafe. That’s not a cool feeling.”
"We’re relying on people to make good decisions for us."
She said when she saw people attacking the mayor online she didn't see other councillors saying, "hey, hang on, we were all part of that decision".
She said that was "obviously another conversation we need to have with our own as well".
She would have wanted to be offered a one-on one meeting with the mayor, she said, for her feelings to be heard.
"I understand she can't do that for anybody, but, for her to call me disrespectful while she's sitting there smiling and laughing while I'm sharing my mamae"
She appreciated the chairperson's response.
May I also ask why the livestream was stopped during the interjection?
I'd also welcome any comment from the mayor regarding her experiences.
Response
From Group Manager – Infrastructure and Assets Stavros Michael:
Regarding your questions about restarting work and costs:
The court’s decision will enable the Council to install the remaining less than 1 kilometre of pipeline left to complete Stage 1 of the project. About 23 kilometres of pipeline has already been installed.
We’re obviously pleased with the outcome of the Environment Court while acknowledging there will be ongoing concerns held by some. Work will restart as soon as possible.
There have been significant delays in completing the section of pipeline past Rotokākahi which has unfortunately also added significant cost of the scheme and our ratepayer community so we are keen to get it completed as soon as we can. Planning for that will get underway immediately.
The scheme is important for the protection of Lake Tarawera, the community and environment and extra protections have been incorporated in the pipeline and the whole system to provide additional reassurance.
We can’t confirm details about the re-start at this time and don’t yet have a tally of costs resulting from the court process and delays.
Regarding the views expressed by Ms Brown: We acknowledge and respect that people will have different views. However, we have worked closely with all, stakeholders, iwi and mana whenua throughout this process since 2015 at every stage, and we remain committed to continuing this collaboration. We stress again the importance of completing this project for the health of our communities and Lake Tarawera.
Re security concerns: When addressing security concerns for meetings, we would usually prioritise using our City Guardians, employing other security measures only if needed. We are reviewing our procedures and as always, will need to balance the need to ensure meetings remain accessible to the public.
Re the livestream: Livestreaming was stopped when the chair called for a five minute break. Livestreaming is always stopped during breaks in meetings.
From Mayor Tapsell:
This was a very disappointing incident that escalates existing security and safety concerns considering the written and in person threats I've received regarding Lake Rotokakahi.
I accept that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but disrupting our meeting and workplace by shouting, pointing fingers, and criticising me was inappropriate. Ms Brown claimed we were being disrespectful to which I responded she was the one being so.
At no point was I laughing or smiling. It’s no laughing matter to have someone come to your workplace to stare you down and shout at you. She even admitted during her rampage that she'd previously been arrested so some staff politely stood between her and us. They shouldn't have to do that, but I appreciated their attempt to make the situation safer.
I understand that as politicians our roles are high profile and we have to make big decisions. I got into this role to help make good decisions and we are always focused on what’s best for Rotorua.
None of these big decisions are made by any one individual, it takes a majority vote by our entire Council. I appreciate not everyone will always agree with our decisions, however expressing this disagreement in threatening and abusive ways is just completely unacceptable.
It's been hurtful the misinformation and hate shared about the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme. We’re working hard to deliver a solution to protect one of our lakes and there's no way we'd drill through burial grounds as we're being accused of. Yesterday’s environment court ruling is solid proof and evidence that we’ve made the right decisions all the way through this process and that we’re not causing any harm to Lake Rotokakahi and had provided plenty of opportunity over the years to engage with mana whenua.
The experiences I’ve had recently, not only impact me, but also my family. At one point I’ve needed to warn a grandparent that someone has threatened to come to their house.
I have a whole list of people who have made violent threats that have been reported to Police and Netsafe. In all honesty it's been difficult and distressing, but I know I have an important job to do and I'm going to continue giving this my all. My aspirations through this scheme is to protect our environment and enable mana whenua to return to their land and rebuild papakainga and marae destroyed years ago in the Tarawera eruption. But you need a modern sewerage scheme to do so, and we are delivering a safe one in the best place possible which is following the existing road back in to our treatment plant in town.
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Media: Aukaha News
Topic: Environment Court decision
Enquiry
Aukaha requested an interview regarding the Environment Court decision relating to the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme
Response
CE Andrew Moraes was interviewed. See link to the interview below and key points Mr Moraes made during the interview:
Initial reaction to the decision:
Thankful that it was made reasonably quickly
Thoughts on the occupation:
I respect everyone's right to protest. We have put a lot of effort to work with protestors to keep them safe and road users, police and contractors.
Thoughts on protestors’ disappointment with the decision:
I know individuals are going to have a range of views. I have had positive views on the project and some with other feelings.
Throughout the process, from 2015 to present day, we have consulted with numerous authorities and iwi and we will continue to do so.
Where to from here?
No date set for restart but we are aware that tensions are high, feelings are high. We want to keep people safe but also to complete project as soon as possible.
Final comment?
The project is widely supported by the community. The protection of the lakes and human health is really important.
Through this whole process we’ve looked at a range of options to this date this is the most viable.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Fluoridation
Enquiry
Follow-up questions to the reporter's media enquiry yesterday re provision of non-fluoridated water:
Thanks for the below questions answered, but there are some that aren't or I'd like further context to.
On the last question, no that's not what I'm thinking. What's available now was called temporary, and a permanent solution would require a decision on investment as explained in the directive compliance meeting. Those works could have been funded when the council got the money for the fluoridation infrastructure, and I'm asking if this was ever presented to councillors as an option.
What are these two temporary solutions costing the council in the longer term?
How is the 15k being funded? I.e. from funding provided for the infrastructure (of the $3.1M) or ratepayers?
On what demand was like - was the Ngo tap new for the function of publicly accessible unfluoridated water? If not what was average water take in a similar period.
How do you know how full or empty the Puarenga tank is? When will the meter be installed?
How do you know what demand is like to inform any future decision on investment?
What might a permanent solution look like and what might this cost?
If further options and the details of them are not yet known, why not?
Response
From Group Manager Infrastructure and Assets Stavros Michael:
At this point in time our focus is on commissioning the fluoridation system and ensuring it meets the required safe levels of fluoride. We have the two sites available for people to access unfluoridated water. We will monitor demand and determine if anything further should be done.
To be clear, small costs to provide some unfluoridated water can be tolerated but extending that to establishing unfluoridated water supplies is not under consideration and would be in conflict with the intent of the directive.
We have always stated that interim supplies of unfluoridated water would be made available for small-scale demand. The cost of this will be funded through our water supply budgets.
The provision of fluoridated water in the central and eastern supply areas is a requirement of the directive and we will not breach that.
