13 Nov 2025: weather, Christmas appeal, shopping trolleys
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Weather-related callouts
Enquiry
Daily Post requested information about weather-related incidents/callouts following last night’s rain and high winds
Response
We referred the reporter to our website weather update (Weather update - Rotorua Lakes Council) and encouraged them to keep an eye on this as we would be updating it as further information came in.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal
Enquiry
I’m working on the launch story for this year’s Rotorua Salvation Army Christmas Appeal and wanted to check whether Tania Tapsell would like to provide some comment for it.
If so, it would be helpful if she could touch on:
- What she has heard or seen around living pressures for Rotorua whānau this year.
- The importance of the Salvation Army foodbank’s work for the local community, especially at Christmas time.
- A call to action encouraging local businesses and individuals who are in a position to help to do so.
Please feel free to include any additional thoughts or acknowledgements Tania feels are important, particularly around community support or the significance of the appeal at this time of year.
The appeal launches this week
Response
Mayor Tapsell provided the following:
Christmas is a time to celebrate, connect, and show kindness, and the Rotorua Salvation Army Christmas Appeal really captures that meaning.
Many local families continue to face financially challenging times, and this Appeal offers a meaningful way for those who can to help make Christmas brighter for others. Every can of food, every toy, and every dollar donated makes a real difference for families in our community.
Rotorua Lakes Council is proud to support the Appeal once again as a donation drop-off point. It’s always special to see the generosity of our community and staff reflected in the growing piles of gifts and food in the lead up to Christmas. This is the manaakitanga that Rotorua is so well known for.
Thank you to everyone who supports the Appeal this year, and to our many volunteers and community groups who work extremely hard to help ensure everyone in Rotorua can share in the joy of Christmas.
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Media: Radio NZ and NewstalkZB
Topic: Bylaw change re trolleys
Enquiry
RNZ requested an interview with Mayor Tapsell regarding the RLC bylaw change relating to an article re collection of shopping trolleys (Rotorua supermarkets react to Kmart charging a trolley bond - NZ Herald)
NewstalkZB requested an interview with Mayor Tapsell and then someone from RLC organisation re trolley collections
Response
These requests were respectfully declined
