Lake woes damaging area's reputation say Rotorua leaders

Rotorua political leaders say publicity surrounding problems at Lake Rotoiti is damaging the area's reputation.

Rotorua Mayor Grahame Hall said he was not impressed with National MP Nick Smith and Lake Rotoiti resident Sally Brock's comments on TV One's Sunday programme, which featured an item on the state of the lake.

"They are damaging our reputation and there is no need for it," Mr Hall said at a Rotorua District Council Te Arawa meeting yesterday.

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick said she was also furious about the publicity, accusing Dr Smith of "political point-scoring".

But Mrs Brock said residents had been forced to highlight the problems because they were sick of inaction.

"The reason Lake Rotoiti is getting bad publicity is because we have got a sick lake, not because people are making a fuss about it."