Editorial: Rotorua rallies to Sallies

Thank you to everyone, writes Kelly Makiha. Photo / George Novak

There's something about Christmas that brings out the best - and the worst - in people.

The moment we reported the devastating news this week the Salvation Army foodbank stocks had been hit by thieves, locals flooded in with donations to help replenish the coffers.

The offers have been generous - from the school kids at St Michael's Catholic School and Owhata Primary School to business owner Charlie Windell, owner of Ma Higgins cafe, who was in and out of our office yesterday with loads of goods.

We know of even more people who are digging deep to donate and, although they are not doing it for publicity, we will ensure they get a mention.

The police are hot on the tail of the offenders, and it's fair to say whoever they are, they are not very popular right now with a majority of locals.

It's this sort of crime that strikes a chord with locals - similar to how Rotorua residents reacted last year when elderly man Gavin Hayes was ripped off repeatedly by teens.

Mr Hayes hit the news after teens tricked him and stole money and goods from his home and twice stole his car.

At that time, the phone in our office again rang hot as people, embarrassed by what their fellow locals had stooped to, tried to turn the situation around.

It's this heart that makes Rotorua the city it is.

Thank you to everyone.