21 Oct 2025: Play Week, Blue Baths, strike, playground, election
Media: Radio Waatea and The Heat FM
Topic: Play Week Aotearoa
Enquiries
Following our media release about Play Week Aotearoa, Radio Waatea requested an interview with council’s GM Community Experience Alex Wilson to appear on Dale Husband’s Breakfast Show and The Heat FM requested an interview with our Play Advocate Ranui Maxwell.
This follows RLC partnering with Mokoia Community Association, Haka Fit and Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa to encourage our tamariki and rangatahi to take part in dynamic, culturally enriching active play that celebrates movement, whakapapa and whanaungatanga. There are two main events taking place this week - Haka Fit and ki-o-rahi, a traditional Māori ball game.
Responses
You can listen to the Radio Waatea interview at this link: Alex Wilson | Group Manager Community Experience – Waatea News: Māori Radio Station
And
Here is the link to Ranui Maxwell’s interview on The Heat FM, talking about her role for Council and discussing Play Week Aotearoa.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Blue Baths
Enquiry
I am just looking for some clarity around the current status of the blue baths for the earthquake-prone building story we are putting together.
Obviously, they have been closed since Jan 2021. Was wondering if there was any information on...
- Has there been any maintenance or upkeep on the Blue Baths since 2021?
- Were there any plans for what might happen to the Blue Baths regarding strengthening/demolition in the past four or so years?
- Is there currently any cost toward maintenance, security, pest control the council has to incur regarding the Blue Baths in their current state?
Response
We provided the following information:
No decisions have been made about the future of the Blue Baths.
A monthly inspection of the building is carried out to ensure compliance with the building warrant of fitness. Anything found to be broken or a risk to the security of the building is repaired and this has included the likes of fixing loose roof tiles.
The cost for routine maintenance comes out of annual maintenance budgets for council properties.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Public sector 'mega' strike
Enquiry
I am writing a story about the October 23 mega strike action by several unions in Rotorua and how that will impact essential services including roads and members of the people living near, or working near the strike are, or travelling in and around the area.
The main area of the strike event venue will be in Rotorua's Village Green from 11 am to 1.30pm, with striking workers meeting at various points at 11am, then making their way to Village Green, expected to arrive at 11.30am.
Obviously striking workers will be parking either in nearby streets or paid parking areas?
Plus I have been told that following the main formalities, the striking workers will form a human wall along the edge of Memorial Park up 11th Avenue and onto Cameron Rd
My questions for Rotorua Lakes Council are as follows:
Q1. Given the thousands expected taking part in the mega strike, can Rotorua Lakes Council tell me what plans it has in terms of traffic management and other measures to try and minimise the impact on general members of the public and local businesses operating nearby?
Q2. Will there be any particular streets closed off during the mega strike ? And if so, please elaborate where and for how long?
Q3. What other likely impacts can members public expect during the strike? And what is the council doing to address those matters?
Response
We provided the following information:
Rotorua Lakes Council has no involvement other than allowing the use of the Village Green and information we’ve been provided by organisers is that this will be a peaceful gathering.
Our understanding is that several hundred people are expected to attend and that the organisers have made arrangements for parking with a nearby school.
They have not applied for any road closures.
ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR REPORTER FOR UNDERSTANDING: road closure applications have to be submitted at least 14 days prior to an event and would require a traffic management plan etc for which the organisers would be responsible rather than council.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Defecation at playground
Enquiry
Just wondering if someone is able to check for me if the council was alerted about the Haumoana St playground on Sunday, just after midday?
Apparently, someone took a poo there and smeared the poo on all the playground equipment. Disgusting.
A local woman took a photo of the man and has posted it on a local Facebook page and mentioned in the comments on the post she was going to contact police and the council (see below)
I've approached the police but just wondering if the council can comment about the clean-up required to ensure the play equipment was safe.
Response
We provided the following information:
Such behaviour in a public space is extremely disappointing and thankfully is very rare.
We have no record of this particular incident being reported to council and would encourage people to always do so to ensure we can respond as quickly as possible.
Since becoming aware of it today, we have sent out a janitorial team to urgently clean and sanitise the playground equipment.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Election advertising
Enquiry
Working on a voter turnout story today. I have Andrew's press release with some good comments which will be very helpful.
I am however just wondering if you might be able to provide me with the marketing/advertising cost for the Council's Pati/Vote campaign?
Response
We provided the following information:
It was just under $35,000
