20 Aug 2025: abatement notice, remuneration, Lakeland Queen

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Lakeland Queen consent

Enquiry

I have just spoken with Damon Hagaman about their plans to put the boat back in the water on August 28.

He mentioned when he applied for a liquor licence a month ago, the council advised of a new resource consent required that no one seemed to know about.

He said they were told by a council planner that the District Plan changed in 2016 that meant all operators on the lakes and rivers needed to get existing use consent.

He said he inquired about a week ago where this was at but the council was yet to formally respond.

He said apparently no other users of the lake are aware of this consent and no one else has got it either, so he's not sure how it impacts all other tourist operators.

He said it appeared to be consent to allow them to do what the Lakeland Queen had been doing for 40 years, but since it had stopped operation, it now had the potential to hold up their plans to start again.

Can someone please get back to me and let me know what this new consent is and what the process will be?

SUBSEQUENT:

Do all lake users need that consent?

Which lakes/rivers does it apply to?

When was it discovered that consent was needed?

How many commercial operators does it impact?

If the change happened in 2016, why have other lake users not been asked to apply for the consent earlier?

If the change happened in 2016, why was it not noticed until now?

Does it mean those without the consent are operating unlawfully?

Will they be asked to cease operation until they get the consent?

Does the council envisage the consent process is relatively simple?

Is there a cost?

Response

From Group Manager Destination Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:

As part of liquor licensing requirements council must check, prior to approving any such licence, that an applicant is compliant with the RMA and the Building Act.

Lakeland Queen needs a resource consent to operate on the lake, required under the Rotorua District Plan (rule WTRZ-12) and the RMA (Section 10A).

We are keen to meet with or work through the process with Mr Hagaman’s consultant.

Regarding the status of the Lakeland Queen consent process: As of 19 August 2025, we are waiting to receive an application.

SUBSEQUENT INFORMATION PROVIDED:

From Group Manager Destination Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:

We became aware of the issue when Mr Hagaman applied for a liquor licence for the Lakeland Queen. As part of liquor licensing requirements council must check, prior to approving any such licence, that an applicant is compliant with the RMA and the Building Act.

Lakeland Queen needs a resource consent to operate on the lake as required under the Rotorua District Plan (rule WTRZ-12) and the RMA (Section 10A).

We advised Mr Hagaman to engage a consultant to support him through the resource consent process, and we are keen to work alongside his consultant to ensure things progress smoothly.

Now that this situation has come to light, we are also looking into the status of other operators and will work with anyone affected to address any consenting requirements.

It’s important to note that this rule applies to all lakes and rivers covered by the Rotorua District Plan, but the rule is not in the District Plan Part 5 – Lakes A Zone.

Section 10A of the RMA is quite a specific piece of legislation, and it only came to our attention through the recent Lakeland Queen liquor licence application. We cannot confirm whether operators were advised of this change during the District Plan Review back in 2012, and it’s not uncommon for some provisions in the RMA to go unused for long periods of time, which appears to be the case here.

As this matter is still under active investigation, it wouldn’t be appropriate to make further comment at this stage. Our priority is to first ensure that anyone who may be affected is contacted directly by council.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Abatement notice

Enquiry

*This is a follow-up enquiry to one we received in May about this matter: 21 May 2025 - Rotorua Lakes Council

Was wondering if you might be able to give me the latest update on what is happening with the Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust.

As I understand it, on March 5 they were issued an abatement notice by Rotorua Lakes Council, to cease all operations at their site on Te Ngae Rd due to a breach of the resource management act.

Where did that progress from there? I understand there may be some sort of Environmental Court involvement.

Just looking for a sit rep more than anything, understanding where Council is with the process of the matter, rather than comment as I understand there may be active investigations ongoing.

Would you be able to provide me with something?

Response

We informed the reporter that this was an active investigation and it would be inappropriate to make any comment at this time. However, we did give him the date that we cancelled the abatement notice, which was March 24 this year.

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Media: RadioNZ

Topic: CE and elected members' remuneration

Enquiry

I'm looking into a release from the taxpayers union about CEO pay.

Can you please tell me:

• Does CEO Andrew Moraes live within the Rotorua Lakes Council boundaries?
• The taxpayers union state his pay was $695,961.00 for the 2023-24 year, can you confirm this is correct?
• What is a councillor's annual remuneration (regular amount, before chairs/committees etc)?
• What is the mayor's annual remuneration?
• What is the annual remuneration for the LOWEST paid council officer and what, generally, is their role (I don't want people to be able to draw a direct line to who the person might be, so just general area of council they work)?

Response

From a Council Spokesperson:

Does CEO Andrew Moraes live within the Rotorua Lakes Council boundaries?:

Yes

The taxpayers union state his pay was $695,961.00 for the 2023-24 year, can you confirm this is correct?:

The Taxpayers’ Union press release is misleading.

The amount is correct, but it reflects the amount that was paid to three people who were in the CE role during that financial year.
The amount includes the remuneration of the current CE Andrew Moraes who started in March 2024, as well as the remuneration of the previous CE Geoff Williams, who was entitled to be paid out a balance of his contract when he left in September 2023, in addition to the salary paid to the acting CE, Gina Rangi, before Mr Moraes started.

Councillors’ remuneration (not including extra for chairs etc):

$67.405

Mayor's annual remuneration:

$165,587

Annual remuneration for the lowest paid council officer:

The salary band for the lowest paid council staff is between $57,000 - $63,000.