Local Democracy Reporter
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
‘Crumbs from the colonial table’: Councillor and mayor butt heads at meeting
Councillor claims Xi Jinping and Robert Mugabe 'would be very proud' of mayor's calls.
New housing accord will see emergency housing motels dwindle
'We have heard you, we have listened and we are taking action,' mayor says.
New pact aims for ‘near zero’ motel housing 'as soon as possible'
Housing Minister Megan Woods was due in Rotorua for the signing.
Call for urgent 'stocktake' on emergency housing gang numbers
The Government says it helps anyone in housing need - including gang members.
Fighting for Rotorua: End could be in sight for widespread use of motels for emergency housing
Rotorua's council will consider the agreement on Thursday.
Fighting for Rotorua: What are some solutions to the housing crisis?
What will it take to fix Rotorua's - and New Zealand's - housing crisis?
Part of Rotorua's Green Corridor cycleway to be removed for car parks
Its removal will cost about $50,000, seven years after the full installation cost $442k.
'Negative perceptions' blamed for $17m tourism loss
About $17 million in tourism spending has been lost due to 'negative perceptions'.
'Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart': Tania Tapsell claims victory
Tania Tapsell is the first Māori woman mayor of Rotorua
'Still a busy tourism town': Robertson says concerns about Rotorua taken seriously
"No doubt, those who live in the area have had concerns; we've tried to deal with those."
Candidate claims ex-prisoners relocated to Rotorua emergency housing motels
The Corrections Minister says there is no "pipeline" of ex-prisoners into motels.
What Rotorua's mayoral candidates would do about emergency housing in motels
One candidate says the city is being 'ripped apart' by emergency housing in motels.
Felix Desmarais: The pronunciation of 'helicopter' has me in a spin
OPINION: Language reaches across barriers and cultures to our mutual humanity.
'A little bit more outrageous': Steve Chadwick's life in politics - and what's next
Chadwick's legacy is not just about what she did but how she did it, says PM Ardern.
'Scary and damning' report paints grim picture of state of Rotorua
The mayor says the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues in the city.
'Undermining local democracy': Watchdog to investigate closed council workshops
The investigation will look into eight councils, including Rotorua Lakes Council.
Mayoral candidate claims Govt will end emergency housing for 'out-of-towners'
The mayor says the move would be 'fantastic'.
'Soul-crushing': Residents air views on selling local reserves for housing
The deputy mayor said he heard one petitioner 'very clear'.
Rotorua Museum: $30m could be added to cost for 'extremely complex' renovation
The current budget for the project is $53.3m but could rise to $83m.
Council investigating targeted rate for emergency housing
Some believe it won't solve the issues and will embed the system in Rotorua.
'Stop the spend': Tania Tapsell announces run for Rotorua mayor
Councillor joins three other declared candidates for city's top job
'Toxic environment': A third of city's family harm calls to emergency lodgings
The council says in 2018 there were 70 family harm call outs a week. Now it's 120.
Election candidate takes council to court over controversial bill
The council says it will strongly oppose candidate Robert Lee's case.
New name revealed for Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre
The new name is intended to fit more easily on a ticket.
'Final act of frustration': Councillor speaks about shock resignation
Bentley says the mayor's actions on Thursday were the final straw.
'Respected' councillor quits in public meeting, claims mayor 'shunned' him
The resignation came after a decision to discuss a controversial bill in private
Labour support falters as Rotorua electoral bill 'fallen foul' of Bill of Rights
Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi says he backs the 'brave and progressive' bill.
Secret council proposal to sell 10 reserves for housing revealed
Parties say no decisions made but local MP 'extremely' worried.
Councillor believes commission's wards decision is 'plainly ridiculous'
But others have welcomed the ruling on the district's governance model.
Council's law change bid passes first reading in Parliament
One local MP voted for it, and another against.
Upset farmers claim council 'using ratepayer money to fight ratepayers'
The lawyer's presence at the almost six-hour meeting cost ratepayers more than $10,000.
Council bid to change Māori ward local bill faces first reading in Parliament
If the bill does not pass by June 1, it will not apply to this year's local election
Explainer: Why one council is trying to change electoral law
Rotorua's council is pushing for an electoral law change. How did we get here?
What has caused the discolouration of Puarenga Stream?
The regional and district councils are investigating the discharge.
'Out of thin air': Appellants take council to task on Māori ward structure
'It's like all of a sudden, the goal post changed.'
'Disturbing': MP hits out at Kāinga Ora's empty houses on troubled street
Kāinga Ora says the four empty houses are awaiting demolition.
'Save our democracy': Protest against 'iwi co-governance' 'disappointing' - MP
"Co-governance is basically the antithesis of democracy," organisers say.
'Rotten' and 'feral': Leader lashes out at troublemakers terrorising street
Rioting, street racing, threats and intimidation have left residents living in fear.
'Like Sons of Anarchy': Street violence has woman sleeping by baseball bat
'We're scared people are going to take it too far,' one resident says
Drone used to find rough sleepers in Rotorua reserve
The council says it is safer for the Safe City Guardians than walking through.
Revealed: The cost of pursuing Rotorua's Māori ward local bill
A mayoral candidate says it's a waste of time and money.
'Need a clothes peg on your nose': What stinks in Rotorua?
A local business says the stench is another challenge on top of Covid-19.
'It's real … please take it seriously': Rotorua mayor tests positive for Covid-19
Steve Chadwick says her infection reinforces the need for vaccination.
PM: Motel emergency housing a 'stopgap measure'
She would not say how long motels would be used to house the homeless.
Councillor removed from council committees after breaches
Rotorua's mayor says Macpherson removed himself by refusing to apologise.
'Fait accompli': 12 appeals lodged against council's representation review
One appellant says the process has rocked his faith in democracy.
Can money be made from human poo? A council spent millions trying
How Terax became Rotorua Council's multimillion-dollar black hole.
Felix Desmarais: 'Transgender people exist. We are real, we are natural'
Opinion: Parliament supporting transgender rights is a precious, flickering flame.
'Unacceptable': Councillors blast mayor for Māori ward decision process
However, another councillor says it's not time to 'quibble'.
Council opts for one Māori ward seat model
Te Tatau o Te Arawa plan appeal as they're 'disappointed and a little bit angry' at move.
'Vote carefully': Te Arawa's plea to the council ahead of vote
The Iwi representative group says it is "concerned and dismayed" at the process.
Te Arawa rep quits meeting over governance model proposal
Te Arawa says it plans to appeal a potential decision about Māori representation.
'A disaster waiting to happen': Four ICU beds for population of 116,000
DHB chief describes the situation as 'very concerning'.
'More carrot': 'Unconventional' approach needed to lift Māori vax rates
'I don't think we've got an ice cube's chance in hell of even getting to 90.'
Seven months in, no job descriptions for seven deputy CEOs
An employment lawyer has labelled the delay 'unusual'.
'Total U-turn': Rotorua reacts to Three Waters mandate
Steve Chadwick says the council will continue to "work constructively" in the process.
Council admits delay in communication on wastewater leak
The regional council confirmed it is investigating the wastewater spill.
Rural wards and Māori co-governance suggested for council
The rural community has pushed for a seat at the council table.
Rotorua tops the list for most noise complaints about single premises
One council got 204 complaints. Another got 1144.
'Back of the queue': Māori and Pasifika should have been prioritised for vaccines - experts
The Ministry of Health says sequencing was designed to vaccinate those most at risk first.
Elderly Rotorua couple turned away from vaccination while DHB gives PPE training
Lakes DHB says as of Friday the vaccination centres are up and running again.
Waiariki rivals say Rotorua has done its bit in hosting MIQ facilities
Two more MPs say they're opposed to more MIQ in Rotorua.
'Nearly at breaking point': Health board's plea as Govt eyes extra MIQ facilities
MBIE is investigating new managed isolation facilities, including in Rotorua.
Kaupapa Māori mental health service gets funding boost
'I do feel stronger. Talking about things helps,' a Poutama Ora participant says.
Fight for mayoralty starts as Steve Chadwick to stand down at next election
'I always said I would give it three terms as mayor and that hasn't changed.'
Book My Vaccine says 'no vaccination centres' in Auckland, Rotorua
'No vaccination centres' in Auckland, Rotorua, according to national booking system.
Meet the Rotorua man who fought for 40 years for folic acid in bread
When Lyall Thurston's son was born in 1983, doctors said he had 24 hours to live.
Some councils have 'head in the sand' over Three Waters reform- Rotorua councillor
It comes after one mayor said reforms could be a 'turd degree burn' for ratepayers.
'A raid on ratepayers' resources' claim: lobby group calls for public to attend council meeting
The mayor and chief executive declined to respond to the latest comments.
Seven deputies: Councillor to make formal call for independent review
National MP Christopher Luxon says seven deputy chief execs is 'over the top'.
Māori wards in Rotorua: a recipe for fairer representation, or further division?
Felix Desmarais talks to Rotorua local government figures about the issue.
'Can't sit back and say nothing': Calls for review into council
The mayor says the chief executive has her 'total confidence'.
'Utterly appalled': Rotorua councillor wants govt to step in over seven new deputy chiefs
Mayor hits back, telling the councillor to 'wake up'.
'Exhausted' nurses worry about impact of short staffing
But a spokesman for DHBs says almost 3000 nurses have been hired in the past three years.
Blue Baths closure 'startling', concerns about council 'secrecy'
The council says more information will be revealed in due course.
Rotorua's famous Blue Baths closed - but why?
There are concerns about the 'structural integrity' of the 88-year-old building.
'Make it fairer': Rotorua MP writes to mayor on Tarawera sewerage fracas
McClay says he 'can see no reason' residents can't pay the cost over time.
'Political stunt': Rotorua mayor and councillors hit back at Waititi over Ngāpuna sewerage fault
Rawiri Waititi says the council's 'fragility' over the issue is not his concern.