24 June 2025: homeless, Ohinemutu wastewater overflow
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Homeless
Enquiry
It'll be no surprise that there appears to still be many rough sleepers sleeping in the doorways of the Salvation Army despite the action taken by the council nearly two weeks ago. They aren't necessarily on Amohia St but there is still a strong presence on Pukuatua St.
Can I please get an update from the council and mayor Tania Tapsell (if it needs to be separate).
- How many trespass orders have now been issued? The last I heard from the council team, there had been 10 issued on June 11 and 12. When were the latest ones issued?
- Is the operation ongoing? Will the council be sending staff there regularly to keep issuing trespass notices?
- Has anyone been arrested for trespassing? (I can of course ask police this but I assume the council would be informed)?
- Where have the others moved on to, if you're aware?
- Is the council continuing to receive complaints from business owners in the CBD?
Subsequent from reporter:
Just further to my email, I have spoken to business and building owners on Pukuatua St this afternoon who say the problem is really bad still.
Eye Candy owner said they are smoking bongs in the doorway, going toilet and leaving a horrendous smell and mess. They've had to install sprinklers.
The owner said it wasn't fixed after the council's operation, they just came back again.
Response
The following responses were provided:
From Group Manager – Destination Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Council staff will continue to work with the relevant agencies like MSD, Te Pokapū, Police and health agencies. The council organisation has received 8 calls from inner city businesses requesting clean-ups or reporting homeless people outside their premises in the CBD. Council staff have not issued further trespass notices since your last media enquiry.
Regarding how many arrests have been made, that is a question for the police.
From Mayor Tapsell, additional to response provided yesterday:
“While it’s frustrating this is still an issuewe’ve had very positive progress towards practical solutions to address it and I’m working with urgency with Government agencies and social support services.
No one should be sleeping on a footpath, I’m aware there has been continuous efforts to connect those sleeping rough in our CBD with support services. This won’t stop andwe’re fortunate there is housing and financial support available in our country.
But myself and our community have a strong message that illegal, offensive, and anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated here.
I’ve connected with many hard-working local businesses and acknowledge the harm it’s causing them and their wellbeing. We know the presence and at times concerning behaviour of homeless is impacting both locals our reputation as a top tourism destination.
There is a need for an urgent and immediate response and I can assure our community we are continuing to monitor the situation and supporting interventions such as trespass notices when needed.
At the same time there is also need for a long-term solution of homelessness, and importantly to support those at risk of it as well. I’ve been in discussions with relevant Government Ministers and their agencies, and well as local social services, to create locally led action for Rotorua.”
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Wastewater overflow at Ohinemutu
Enquiry
Just after information about a wastewater spill into Ruapeka Bay at Ohinemutu.
- When and how did the spill happen?
- What areas are affected?
- What are warnings for the community?
- How long are the warnings in place for?
Following our request for further information as there has been no reported spill today, the reporter provided the following noting that a photo of Health Warning signage was posted to FB today.
Response
From Council spokesperson:
There was a sewage overflow from a crack in a wastewater rising main at Makitauna Street, Ohinemutu, on Thursday 19 June 2025.
Most of the wastewater being conveyed by the pipe remained contained with some spilling out of the crack, flowing down a kerb channel, through a culvert under Tunohopu Street and into a geothermal pond.
It is likely that a relatively minor amount entered the geothermal pond prior to contractors’ arrival at the site after a member of the public reported the overflow to council at 10:46am (19 June).
A vacuum truck was organised to capture the overflow while repairs were undertaken, and the pipe was repaired by 6.30pm with the affected area then cleaned and disinfected.
Temporary health warning signage is in place to notify the public of contamination and warn against contact with the water. The signs will be removed when test results from daily sampling indicate the risk is no longer present.
Rotorua Lakes Council maintains a wastewater network which includes about 600 kilometres of underground pipes, nearly 100 pumpstations and two major treatment plants. Overflows on the network do not happen often and we respond promptly to any such events.
