8 July 2026: Illegal dumping
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Illegal dumping
Enquiry
I am working on a story regarding illegal rubbish dumping in Rotorua after a local community group reported rubbish was recently dumped beside the Rotorua Tongan Community Hall on Pererika St. The group is hoping to raise awareness of the impacts of illegal dumping and says a similar incident occurred in the same area a few months ago.
Could I please receive a response to the following questions by 1pm tomorrow (Wednesday). If possible, I would appreciate the responses being attributed to a specific council representative, including their name and position.
- Has illegal rubbish dumping been a significant issue in Rotorua over the past year?
- How many reports of illegal rubbish dumping has the council received in the past 12 months? How does this compare with previous years?
- Is Rotorua Lakes Council aware of previous incidents of illegal rubbish dumping at the Rotorua Tongan Community Hall or in the surrounding area? It is my understanding the most recent incident was not reported to the council, although the hall itself is council-owned.
- The material dumped appears to be predominantly green waste. Is the dumping of garden waste or vegetation on public or community land still considered illegal rubbish dumping? There also appears to be some non-organic material among the vegetation, including plastic bags and old shoes.
- Are there any identified hotspots for illegal rubbish dumping in Rotorua, or does the location of incidents frequently change?
- The Rotorua Lakes Council website states the average annual cost of illegal dumping is about $120,000 and that approximately 150 tonnes of rubbish is collected each year. Are these figures still accurate for the 2025/26 year?
- What measures can communities take to help prevent illegal dumping, if any? For example, community members have suggested security cameras at the hall.
- What message would the council like to send to people who illegally dump rubbish in public or community spaces?
- The Rotorua Lakes Council website states tips and ways for reporting rubbish dumping. Confirming these are still the appropriate actions for residents and community groups to take when they discover dumped waste?
Any other relevant information is appreciated.
Response
From Manager Waste and Climate Change Craig Goodwin:
Has illegal rubbish dumping been a significant issue in Rotorua over the past year?
Illegal dumping remains an issue in Rotorua but reports have reduced over the past year. Council received 860 reports between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026, compared with 1230 the previous year. Many reports relate to items left in a gutter or berm but the number of larger dumpings, (more than two cubic metres) also fell significantly, from 99 to 33 over the same period.
How many reports of illegal rubbish dumping has the council received in the past 12 months? How does this compare with previous years? As above
Is Rotorua Lakes Council aware of previous incidents of illegal rubbish dumping at the Rotorua Tongan Community Hall or in the surrounding area? It is my understanding the most recent incident was not reported to the council, although the hall itself is council-owned.
Unfortunately, there are always people who choose to not do the right thing – illegal dumping anywhere is a concern and we encourage people to do the right thing by their community. Illegal dumping costs council – and therefore ratepayers – where it happens in public places and in the case of dumping of items outside places like Rotorua Tongan Community Hall, the cost of getting rid of it generally falls on these organisations. We work with organisations on a case by case basis if they come to us for help.
Are there any identified hotspots for illegal rubbish dumping in Rotorua, or does the location of incidents frequently change?
There are some sites that are monitored by Council but patterns change, which may sometimes be in response to monitoring.
Note to reporter: Council doesn't generally publicise specific dumping hotspots so we don’t unintentionally encourage copycat behaviour. Instead, the focus is on monitoring affected areas and responding quickly when issues arise.
The Rotorua Lakes Council website states the average annual cost of illegal dumping is about $120,000 and that approximately 150 tonnes of rubbish is collected each year. Are these figures still accurate for the 2025/26 year?
The figures remain broadly accurate, but we expect to review them in the coming months as disposal and energy costs stabilise.
What measures can communities take to help prevent illegal dumping, if any? For example, community members have suggested security cameras at the hall.
Security cameras can help deter dumping in some locations but experience shows the issue can sometimes just shift to other areas. Preventing illegal dumping is most effective when communities, landowners and council work together to raise awareness, report incidents and encourage responsible waste disposal.
What message would the council like to send to people who illegally dump rubbish in public or community spaces?
Illegal dumping affects our shared public spaces, adds unnecessary costs on ratepayers, and can harm the taiao (environment). We encourage everyone to dispose of waste responsibly so we can work together to protect the environment and maintain pride in our communities.
The Rotorua Lakes Council website states tips and ways for reporting rubbish dumping. Confirming these are still the appropriate actions for residents and community groups to take when they discover dumped waste? Yes, they are
Additional comments:
If you witness illegal dumping do not approach the offenders but take notes or photos of the person and their vehicle. This can help with identification and potential prosecution.
If your community/neighbourhood has an issue with litter and/or rubbish get together with your neighbours and contact Council for advice. Phone 07 348 4199, info@rotorualc.nz or via Facebook @rotorualakescouncil to see if there is a way our staff can support your initiatives.
