22 September 2021
Media: Stuff
Topic: MIQ in Rotorua
Enquiry
Dropping you a line to seek some comment about the rumours that Rotorua may play host to another MIQ facility?
I'm assuming if so council would of course know, so wanted to ask:
Is council aware of any plans for Rotorua to be the location for another MIQ facility?
Is the Holiday Inn a likely venue if so?
I wanted to ask Steve too:
Would she back an additional MIQ facility being located here?
There appears to be some disquiet about Rotorua having another MIQ facility here - is this something Steve is aware of, and if so, what's her view?
Response
Reporter was informed that the possibility of more MIQ for Rotorua was not rumours, that it had in fact been publicly confirmed by both MBIE and Minister Hipkins, but that there were rumours about which hotels might be used.
He was also informed that as Council was not involved in the decision-making it would not be for Council to announce any decisions regarding MIQ and that he would need to contact MBIE or the Minister’s office for that.
From Mayor Chadwick:
We were very clear with MIQ officials who met with Council, Te Arawa, Lakes DHB and Rotorua Economic Development representatives last month that Rotorua cannot sustain any more MIQ facilities. The Minister is also aware of our collective views and concerns and we have been assured these will be taken into account.
Our community has taken on its fair share of MIQ for some time now and we have accepted this at a time when we are also trying to rebuild our economy, and despite housing challenges that have required the use of accommodation stock to fulfil a critical need
Running MIQ facilities impacts on local DHB, police and security resources, and those are resources our community misses out on and that therefore increase risk in these areas. We also need to retain capacity for visitors – which we currently still have.
We are not part of the decision-making [about MIQ] and I am unaware of any decisions having been made as yet. I understand the decision will ultimately be made by Cabinet ministers.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: MIQ in Rotorua
Enquiry
Can Steve Chadwick please provide comment on whether she's pleased the Government has listened to locals?
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Covid Response Minister Chis Hipkins says it is now unlikely Rotorua will get more managed isolation facilities given the community push back.
Hipkins told Radio New Zealand this morning Rotorua was now "marginal" in terms of having more managed isolation facilities (MIQ).
"It is unlikely now that we would set up additional MIQ facilities in Rotorua given the strength of the feedback we have had from them."
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
“I’m pleased the Minister is listening and will await the final decision. As myself and others have been emphatic about conveying to MIQ officials and the Minister, Rotorua is already doing its share of the MIQ load and we can’t sustain any more. Our community has said the same and we now all respectfully look forward to Government making the right decision.”
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Media: Local Focus (video news - part of NZ Herald)
Topic: Mayoral candidates for 2022 local elections
Enquiry
Reporter requested interview with Mayor Chadwick for her comment for a story about mayoral candidates for the 2022 local elections.
I would like to do a story on why the candidates are running etc. I would like to get her feedback in regards to the candidates
Reporter also wanted to interview the Mayor about her term in the role.
Response
Reporter was informed Mayor Chadwick did not consider it appropriate for her to comment on mayoral candidates but that she would be happy to consider discussing the role of mayor and her time as mayor, at some point closer to the local elections.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Rotorua Night Market
Enquiry
I am doing a story about the markets and food trucks in the midst of all the Covid restrictions.
•How important is the summer period for the Night Market?
•When was the last time it ran and when is it likely to be on again?
•Have any stallholders had to shut for good due to the damages of Covid?
•How does the constant Alert Level changes impact the market?
•How many bookings are there for the night market for the summer period? And How does this compare to usual?
•Is the council considering running the night market in a 'no vaccine, no entry' way?
•Any other comments are welcome.
Response
From Arts & Culture, Business Development Manager, Jo Doherty:
The summer period is traditionally the busiest time for the Night Market so from an economic perspective it’s really important for our stallholders to be able to trade. It is also a well-loved destination for both locals and visitors. It’s a place where people connect and come together over good food, with great local entertainment, so it’s important for community wellbeing, and also for visitors to be able to enjoy one of Rotorua’s iconic experiences.
The last Night Market was on Thursday 12 August. We have all the procedures in place to be able to operate the Food Truck Thursday market under Delta Alert Level 2. Food Truck Thursday is a smaller version of the Night Market with up to a dozen mobile food trucks serving a wide variety of takeaway kai. We have been ready to run this market since last week but unfortunately poor weather meant we had to cancel the market last week and have had to cancel it again tomorrow.
We’re not aware of any stallholders who have had to shut for good but obviously when they aren’t able to trade at markets and events it does make it tough.
We are well prepared to trade at both Alert Level 1 and 2. We can work safely within these guidelines and can change from the full Night Market set up to the smaller Food Truck Thursday market relatively easily. Under Alert Level 2 we will operate the Food Truck Thursday format, and once we’re back to Alert Level 1 the full market will be back in operation. We have clear processes for both these market formats and are ready and keen to operate the market, weather permitting. The Alert Level guidelines do add a layer of complexity, and the reduced allowable visitor numbers make it challenging for our stallholders, but it is what it is, and ultimately our main priority is to keep everyone safe.
The Night Market is still at its full complement of stallholders, with very similar numbers to last year.
We are running the Night Market according to the Government’s current Alert Level guidelines. If these change we will review our operations in line with the updated guidelines. At this stage we haven’t discussed or considered any policy around entry according to vaccination status.