26 Aug 2025: consents for lake operators

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Consents requirements for operators on Rotorua waterways

Enquiry

Just some more follow up questions [further to previous enquiries re Lakeland Queen consent requirement], if I'm able to get a response please by 1pm.

• How many lake users are impacted?
• What waterways are included in this change?
• Can you please explain again why the operators didn't know about this change in 2012?
• Below are some comments from Rotorua Trout Guide Julian Danby. Can you please respond to any of his criticisms?

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It's a little disappointing something that has been under the mat for 10 years is now important enough for the council to add consent framework. This is going to equate more cost for not only myself but also the council.

You would hope a council so far in debt wouldn't be looking to add additional cost to the ratepayer.

I'm unsure the basis of the resource consent, whether it be environment and pollution based or just another way to clip the ticket. Environmentally I am covered and audited my Maritime NZ so I'm picking it's another way to try gather revenue.

There is only a few operators on Lake Rotorua and surrounding waterways so I can see this costing more for the council than revenue it will make.

We are supposed to be pro tourism council but this move doesn't surprise me one bit.

I'm a very small operator and use the lakes for a very small number of trips per year as I'm mostly guiding fly fishers through the summer on the back country rivers of the region. I would use Lake Rotorua 4-10 x per year.

Hopefully, there's some common sense or there will be no fishing operators left on the Rotorua Lakes. It's already down to 2 operators.

Response

From Group Manager Destination Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:

We don’t have anything further to add at this stage. Our priority is to make sure anyone who may be affected is contacted directly by Council – including Mr Danby, who we have already reached out to.

These discussions will take place between Council and the business owners, rather than through the media.

In response to your question about which waterways are included in the change: as mentioned in our earlier statement, this rule applies to all lakes and rivers covered by the Rotorua District Plan with the exception of those within the Lakes A Zone, specified in the District Plan.