Residents take chance to learn about proposal (+video)

The interested residents at yesterday's meeting. Photo / Ben Fraser

The latest information session about the controversial proposed Te Arawa Partnership Model attracted a good crowd.

About 40 people attended the session in Ngongotaha yesterday morning, although it was without some of the drama of previous sessions.

Rotorua Lakes Council chief executive Geoff Williams presented the key information and proposed model to the people gathered before they broke into smaller workshop groups, so people could question staff on the proposal.

Mr Williams said he wasn't there to "advocate or lobby" those present, something that was met with a few mutters from the back of the room.

"I want you to leave with all of the questions you have answered."

Resident Don Newport attended the session "to see what they are up to".

Mr Newport said he wasn't against the idea of Maori representation but wasn't sure about the idea of the representatives being selected, instead of voted in.

Keith Garratt said he went into the sessions with no preconceived ideas.

"I'm a local resident. I'm interested to see Rotorua progress in the best effective way."

The model proposed by Te Arawa was approved "in principle", and for consultation purposes only, by the council with a majority vote of 10-3 in December.

The proposal could see the establishment of an iwi board outside the council structure to replace the former Te Arawa standing committee.

Te Arawa would appoint or elect a board of up to 14 people with two representatives - with voting rights - to sit on the council's operations and monitoring committee and on its strategy, policy and finance committee, with one on the chief executive performance committee and another representative on Resource Management Act hearings panels.

Information sessions will be held on Tuesday from 5.30pm at the Reporoa Community Hall, on Wednesday at the Rotoma Hall from 5.30pm and Thursday at Lynmore Primary School's Cultural Centre from 5.30pm.

The Statement of Proposal, submission form and other information are available at the council's Customer Centre, District Library, City Focus and www.rotorualakescouncil.nz

•Submissions close on April 17.