18 June 2026: Funding for homeless, organics (FOGO) collection
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Government funding to address homelessness
Enquiry
I'm wondering if you could comment on your thoughts about Rotorua missing out on this funding?
Do we not still have a problem?
Also, there are also some key facts in the latest Homeless Insights report.
- At least 45 people sleeping rough or in cars in mid-October 2025. Based on a survey, they note that this is a decrease from three months, and twelve months prior to this
- The areas with the highest proportion of people waiting to be housed were the Far North (40 households, 36.0 percent) and Rotorua Lakes Districts (60 households, 35.9 percent) where over a third of households not yet housed at the end of March have been in the programme for three or more years.
What's your views on the report?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell:
“It’s encouraging to see the Government extending funding to additional regions. Last year, support was focused on New Zealand’s four main centres, despite homelessness being a significant challenge for many regional communities as well.
“Earlier this year I brought together Mayors and council staff from around the country to discuss homelessness in our communities and how we can work together on solutions. Representatives from Tauranga, Whakatāne, New Plymouth, Napier, Whanganui and Waimakariri were part of those discussions. We heard first-hand about the challenges they were facing so it’s positive to see they’re now receiving this support.
“Through our collaborative approach to address homelessness in Rotorua we’ve made significant progress with ending contracted emergency housing motels and delivering much needed housing. This progress is highlighted in the Homelessness Insights Report but it does also show that homelessness remains a significant issue.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but there is still more to do. Delivering long-term solutions to homelessness remains a high priority for our community and our goal is to achieve near-zero homelessness in Rotorua. We’ll continue working alongside our local partners and advocating for greater support and investment for Rotorua and other regions.
“To proactively prevent future issues we’re also progressing our Homelessness Strategy and with strong local partnerships, a clear understanding backed by data and evidence of our actual challenges, and a commitment and plan for solutions, we’ll be ready to make the most of future funding opportunities that come up.”
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Organics (FOGO) collection
Enquiry
As part of an enquiry relating to FOGO after RLC confirmed a new start date for the service, the reporter asked for the workings behind previous information stating that introducing FOGO will reduce council’s waste management carbon footprint by 80%
Response
We provided the following information:
As requested, please find below the modelling from 2020, of Council’s waste management carbon footprint arising from organics.
8,000 (organics in red bin) tonnes/year
9,000 (biosolids to landfill) tonnes/year
5,000 (greenery at landfill individually taken) tonnes/year
Total 22,000 tonnes of organic waste per year = 41,800* tonnes/year CO₂ equivalent
Diverting;
8,000 (organics in FOGO bin) tonnes/year
9,000 (biosolids processed away from the landfill) tonnes/year
Total 17,000 tonnes of organic waste per year = 32,300* tonnes/year CO₂ equivalent
*1 tonne of organic waste = 1.9 tonnes of CO₂e when transported a disposed of in a landfill.
Approximately 77% of the council’s waste management carbon footprint (updated from previously reported 80%, based on refined modelling of 77.27%, rounded for simplicity). To clarify, the 77% reduction relates to how much council’s organics waste management carbon footprint will be reduced (not council’s overall carbon footprint).
At the time the case study was developed in late 2020, biosolids were disposed of at landfill. Since then, this practice has changed as a result of the Council’s adopted waste management and minimisation plan. Biosolids are now diverted from landfill by blending sludge with wood pulp, which is then vermicomposted. The resulting material is cultivated into land used to grow fodder crops.
With the introduction of FOGO, the volume of green waste sent to landfill is expected to decrease. However, materials unsuitable for FOGO bins such as fibrous or woody plant matter, garden material that may contain chemical sprays or residues, and branches larger than 5 cm in diameter will continue to be disposed of at landfill.
