20 February 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Representation Arrangements Bill item coming up at Council meeting
Enquiry
I am working up a story previewing Wednesday's council meeting and looking at the discussion to be had around the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill.
I have one question in relation to this ahead of the meeting which I hope can be answered given it's not asking for any commentary ahead of the meeting.
In April we reported the cost of the bill to that point was $74,014.54, including $71,831.30 in legal fees, $200 in social media advertising, and $1983.24 in public notices.
Reporter subsequently sought confirmation that figures provided included the legal fees for the judicial review brought against Council and then withdrawn
Response
We provided the following information:
Legal fees - $125,135.02 + GST
Social Media - $200.00 + GST
Public Notices - $1,983.24 + GST
We confirmed the figures did not include costs related to the judicial review
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Children's Day event
Enquiry
Reporter sought information about the Children's Day Rotorua event which features on the Rotorua Nui events website.
Additional question: Why do you think it is important to celebrate Children's Day/our children as a community?
Response
We provided the following:
This year’s local Children’s Day celebrations is shaping up to be a fantastic family event with an array of free activities, games and entertainment planned for Saturday 4 March from 10:00am – 1:00pm at the Village Green, Rotorua Lakefront.
Hosted by Rotorua Lakes Council, together with various local organisations, community groups and local businesses, Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki I Children’s Day is a day dedicated to our children to promote wellbeing, celebrate childhood and create support networks within the community.
Children of all ages can experience some fun - there’s bouncy castles, inflatable games, pony rides, unicycles, food stalls - and so much more for the whole whānau!
The free event also includes live performances from Rotorua Primary School and features Japanese drumming and salsa dancing.
Families are encouraged to dress up, bring along a picnic and share lots of laughs with the younger people in their lives and treasure the time spent together. This event is weather dependent and a decision will be made 24 hours prior if it is to be postponed – keep an eye on the Children’s Day Event on Facebook.
A huge thanks to all community groups and local businesses involved in supporting this free event for our community: The Heat FM, Motion Entertainment, Matauranga Ake, Kimiora Trust, Healthy Families, Plunket Rotorua, Rotorua Multi Cultural Council, The Arts Village, Te Whatu Ora Lakes DHB, Sport BOP, Rotorua Parents Centre, Community Oral Health Service, Manaaki Ora, Rotorua Youth Centre, Rotorua Primary School, Rotorua Aquatic Centre, Te Puia, Redwoods Treewalk, Boasters Coffee and the Rotorua Aquatic Centre.
Why do you think it is important to celebrate Te rā o ngā Tamariki - Children’s Day./our children as a community?
It is so important to celebrate the tamariki in our community and provide them with some fun activities to enjoy with their whānau. The premise behind Children’s Day identifies loving and supportive families and communities playing an integral role in helping our tamariki grow and thrive. The Children’s Day events happening in Rotorua encourage families to spend time together away from devices and make special memories.