15 July 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Protest group in CBD
Enquiry
I am working on a story about a group of people in the CBD that have allegedly been screaming, yelling, and preaching anti-abortion, anti-vaccine, and homophobia this week. They've been singing and also have a megaphone.
I did this story earlier this week about a couple that was subject to homophobic hate speech by the group. They said they called the council 4 times and they said the City Guardians were contacted.
I am seeking a response from Mayor Steve Chadwick as well as comments to questions below.
Could I please have a comment from Steve Chadwick about the incident outlined in the story above? What is your response to having something like that happening in our city centre? What needs to happen from here?
Questions for council:
- How many times has the council been contacted about this group in the city? What issues have the calls outlined?
- What has the council's response been?
- At what point - what would need to happen - for council to take further action?
- What would further action be?
- Any other comments are welcome.
Response
From DCE Community Wellbeing Anaru Pewhairangi:
Our Safe City Guardians have moved the group on several times to minimise the potential for any situation to occur and have been monitoring them and keeping police informed as necessary.
Our Guardians work closely with the police but do not have the powers of the police. Their role is to have a presence in the inner city and surrounding areas to act as a deterrent, to provide assistance where possible and to act as additional eyes and ears for the safety of our community.
Any anti-social behaviour, breaches of the peace, intimidation or threats should be reported immediately to the police by calling 111. People can call 105 for non-urgent matters.
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
I am saddened about what I heard the other day and urge people to call the police if they feel threatened or unsafe.
I know our Safe City Guardians have moved the group on a few times from various spots in the CBD.
As it’s a public place, they can’t do much more than that, along with keeping the police informed and reporting anything unlawful that they see.
I understand the group may have come to Rotorua from out of town so hopefully, if they haven’t already, they’ll go home soon and leave our hard-working retailers and people going about their business in our inner city in peace.