Happy New Year everyone! To kick off 2025, we asked Rotorua leaders what they wanted to see for the city and its people this year. Some responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Tania Tapsell — Rotorua Mayor
We send a heartfelt thanks to everyone in our Rotorua community. We’re inspired by the dedication, hard work, and courage of the people who continually make Rotorua a better place for all.
2024 highlights included improving community safety, reducing emergency housing motels by 74%, rebuilding our reputation as a top tourism town, improving business confidence, and getting meaningful community projects under way like restoring our iconic museum building.
This year we’ll see the end of emergency housing motels in Rotorua and will be delivering more locally-led housing solutions. Council will also be focused on supporting our local economy and strengthening our status as a world-class destination.
We should be proud of this beautiful place we call home and the progress our community has made together. We look forward to building on this in 2025 and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith
Todd McClay — MP for Rotorua
2024 has been a tough year for many local families, with inflation and interest rates pushing up household costs.
Inflation has now fallen to 2.2%, down from 7.2% at the election, meaning we’ve halted sharp increases in rents and food. Interest rates are predicted to fall further for a third consecutive time.
For 2025 I’d like to see the economy grow as costs reduce for Rotorua families. Doctors and nurses at Te Whatu Ora Lakes do a great job as more people get their operations and cancer treatments.
One hour of reading, writing and maths each day is helping more young Rotorua students do well at school — and a huge thanks to our police for getting on top of gang crime — you’ll see much more on law and order this year.
Finally in 2025 we will end the use of homeless motels — an election promise — as Rotorua claims back our city.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay is also the Minister for Trade, Agriculture, Hunting and Fishing, and Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rawiri Waititi — MP for Waiariki, Te Patī Māori co-leader
Kia ora e ngā uri o te Waiariki. Tēnei te tuku aroha ki ngā mate o te tau—haere, haere, whakangaro atu rā.
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to acknowledge the challenges and triumphs we’ve faced as a nation. It has been a brutal year for te iwi Māori, but one that has shown us the strength of kotahitanga — our unity.
Whether in Parliament, out on the many activations, or through submissions, we have all worked hard to uphold the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and safeguard an Aotearoa Hou for our mokopuna.
It is an honour to represent the Waiariki electorate in Te Whare Paremata. I thank you for your support and belief in our movement.
We must take this time to recharge, be present with your whānau, and most importantly, before January 7, submit in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.
MP for Waiariki and Te Patī Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. Photo / Erica Sinclair
Bryce Heard — chief executive, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce
I would love to see everyone in our beautiful country unite in 2025 and resolve to all do our bit to make NZ and the cities we call home more productive, safer, prosperous, cleaner, and better.
What a year it would be if we all stopped blaming someone else for our problems and took responsibility for fixing things ourselves.
Handouts and pet projects are not presently affordable. Nationally, we need to focus on paying down crippling debt and get back to surplus. Locally, let’s stop demanding the council fix all our problems. Councils will not get tourism numbers flowing again, primary exports booming or build new 5-star hotels — only we can do that.
It is time to stand tall and take our own future into our own hands. Several sectors in Rotorua could benefit from systematically coming together to get better outcomes for all participants.
Let’s do it.
Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Bryce Heard. Photo / Andrew Warner
Dr Margriet Theron - president, Rotorua Multicultural Council
The Rotorua Multicultural Council had such a good year in 2024 that my wish for 2025 is simple: more of the same.
We wish successful settlement in Rotorua to every migrant. We help by offering professional speaking courses to enable migrants to speak with confidence to an audience and to participate with success in job interviews. With Te Tatau o Te Arawa, we help to build positive relations between Māori and migrants.
During our Women’s Wellbeing Programme, we visit organisations from the Police to the Citizens Advice Bureau to learn about the services available in Rotorua.
Migrants are given the opportunity to celebrate their own cultures and to show the Rotorua community what we contribute. Do come to the Latin American Fiesta to be held at the Thursday Night Market on January 30.
Dr Margriet Theron, president of the Rotorua Multicultural Council.
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait — chairwoman, Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency
I would like 2025 to be the year we focus on youth, looking at dramatically increasing school attendance for the many children who are missing school daily.
I know the housing, health, and financial struggles many of our families face, but education is the key to a better life with opportunities. Parents, up your game; education matters.
Young people must also get the mental health services they need as soon as possible. Waiting is not an option for some, and we often see tragic results when people are stuck on a waiting list.
People should be encouraged to approach learning, job training, and meaningful work with enthusiasm. Let’s ensure targeted and early support is provided, especially for those who appear to be struggling. They are our future, so we need to collectively prioritise their wellbeing.
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is the chairwoman of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency.
Rāwiri Bhana — chairman, Te Komiti Nui o Ngāti Whakau
As I reflect on 2024, I firstly think about loss, but with this loss, I think of the teachings four people in particular left behind.
The loss of Maxine Rennie, QSM, taught us that no one in our community should be given up on, that everyone deserves a second chance.
Koro Bom Gillies passing taught us of servitude and sacrifice and our collective responsibilities to one another. My nephew Phoenix passing taught us that we need to be there for one another, that the greatest thing we can give one another is our time.
Pastor Tata Strickland taught us that at the centre of everything is HOPE, and without this we become hopeless, and have hopelessness.
So, for 2025 I have HOPE, that we will be there for one another, and serve and make sacrifices for all of Rotorua, that we make mokopuna decisions, not only for my mokopuna, but all our mokopuna.
Rāwiri Bhana was a 2024 Kiwibank local hero medallist.
Andrew Wilson — chief executive, RotoruaNZ
Rotorua is a city with unique strengths — its natural environment, cultural heritage and strong community. As we move into 2025, my focus for Rotorua is to continue to build upon the work we do for our economy that benefits both our local community and visiting manuhiri.
This means we’ll prioritise initiatives that balance economic development with environmental stewardship and cultural respect.
By encouraging sustainable tourism and supporting local businesses, Rotorua will continue to attract visitors while ensuring that growth contributes meaningfully to the local economy and community wellbeing.
In 2025, I want to see Rotorua thriving as a world-class destination known for its quality experiences and responsible practices.
With careful planning and collaboration, we can maintain Rotorua’s appeal while addressing the needs of our people and environment, ensuring the city remains a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit.
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson. Photo / NZME
Michael Naera — mental health advocate
In this holiday season, I extend my warmest greetings to you all. This time of year invites reflection, connection and an opportunity to re-energise for the year ahead. It’s a season for cherishing loved ones, sharing laughter and embracing moments of gratitude.
As we celebrate, let us also spare a thought for those facing challenges. For those grieving the loss of a loved one, may you find comfort in the aroha of whānau and friends. Our shared community may offer strength and support for those navigating financial difficulties or day-to-day struggles.
Together, let’s carry the values of manaakitanga (caring) and whanaungatanga (connection) into this season and beyond. Whether through kind words, shared kai or simple moments of seeing a friend, may we uplift one another.
Wishing you all a joyful, peaceful, and hopeful holiday season.
Michael Naera works in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention roles. Photo / Andrew Warner
Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. She moved to the region in 2024 and has previously reported in Wairarapa and at Pacific Media Network.
