8 Sept 2025: council nursery

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Future of council nursery

Enquiry

Excuse me for bringing this up again.

But another member of the public has now infirmed us the nursery is closing down in October.

They are adamant that is the case so figured it would be best to reach out again to see if the position has changed at all?

Follow-up questions:

Have some other questions regarding this topic that have now cropped up.

If they could be included in any response that would be great.

• Understand the nursery will initially close to the public before closing entirely within 12 months, is this accurate?
• Are job losses expected as part of this closure?
• How many staff are currently employed at the nursery?
• What are the reasons for the closure? Anything to do with the facilities not being adequately maintained?
• Is this is a final decision or will there be public consultation?
• What are the plans for the current space where the nursery is housed?
• Will this have any knock-on impact to other horticulture work in and around Rotorua?
• Finally, if the decision has been made to close the nursery, when was this decision made, just to get timeline accurate?

Response

From a Council Spokesperson:

Following bringing Infracore in-house in November 2024, elected members tasked the Chief Executive with improving the financial performance of the council for the benefit of Rotorua residents. As a result, we are consulting on a change process to ensure resources and staff are organised to deliver improved and cost-effective services to the community.

The consultation document was released to staff on 12 August and feedback closed on 27 August. Feedback received is being carefully reviewed before any final decisions are made.

No decision has been made to close the nursery in October, and the storage of trolleys at the nursery is a separate and unrelated matter. We understand our city gardens are important and we assure our community they will not be impacted by any decision on the nursery.

As consultation with staff is still underway, we will be able to provide further information once the change process has finished.

Decisions on the nursery facilities will be made by the incoming Council, following the October election.