Timeline:
May 2013: Rotorua District Council ordered to pay court costs of $115,000 by the Environment Court for misleading local hapu Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Makino regarding a resource consent to build a wastewater treatment plant at Lake Rotoma.
- June 2013: Council chief executive Peter Guerin orders a comprehensive internal audit of the council's iwi consultation procedures.
- October 2013: Steve Chadwick becomes mayor of Rotorua, promising, among other things, a stronger relationship with iwi.
- October 2013: The council's Te Arawa Standing Committee goes into recess pending the result of the internal audit of council's iwi consultation procedures.
- November 2013: Mrs Chadwick releases her "2030 Vision" for discussion which committed the council to develop a new partnership with Te Arawa as one of six commitments outlined in her vision statement.
- May 2014: Rotorua district councillor Mike McVicker sends a copy of the original Te Arawa Partnership Proposal to the Rotorua Daily Post.
- December 2014: Te Arawa publicly presents its partnership model. The council adopts, in principle, the Te Arawa Partnership Proposal subject to a Special Consultative Procedure.
- January 2015: The Rotorua Pro Democracy Society is officially incorporated. Members vote to install councillor Glenys Searancke as their chairwoman.
- February 2015: The Rotorua Lakes Council votes to go ahead with a full public consultation process asking for public submissions to the Te Arawa Partnership Proposal.
- March 2015: Public submission period for the proposal begins.
- March 2015: A series of public information sessions run by the council to explain the proposal and other options for iwi engagement begin.
- April 2015: Public submission period closes on April 17.
- April/May 2015: Council to begin submission hearings.
- May 2015: The Rotorua Lakes Council will meet on May 26 to deliberate and make its final decisions on the proposal.
How to make a submission
- For a copy of the Statement of Proposal and a form on which you can record feedback visit the council website which is at www.rotorualakescouncil.nz, or pick up a copy from the City Focus, Rotorua District Library or the council's Customer Centre on Haupapa St.
- You may also write to the council with your thoughts about the the proposal. Send your letters to Rotorua Lakes Council, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua 3046. Fax to: (07) 346 3143. Email to: submissions@rdc.govt.nz.
- Let the council know if you would like to be heard in person during the hearings process.
- Public submissions close at 4pm, Friday, April 17.
Final public information sessions run by council
- Tuesday, March 24: 5.30pm to 7pm, Reporoa Community Hall
- Wednesday, March 25: 5.30pm to 7pm, Rotoma Hall
- Thursday, March 26: 5.30pm to 7pm, Lynmore Primary School Cultural Centre
Public information sessions run by the Rotorua Pro Democracy Society
- Thursday, March 26: 7pm to 9pm, Ngongotaha Hall
- Tuesday, March 31: 7pm to 9pm, Linton Park Community Centre
- Thursday, April 2: 7pm to 9pm, Rotorua Golf Club (Arikikapakapa)
