Emotional welcome for Mayor Steve

It was an emotional day for Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick.

It was an emotional day for Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick as Te Arawa officially welcomed and acknowledged her and council members as the city's newly elected leaders.

Nearly 150 people attended the pohiri at Te Papaiouru Marae yesterday, when iwi called on to the marae councillors and the mayor who was flanked by family members and friends. Mrs Chadwick was wearing a korowai that belonged to Maori guide Maggie Papakura, which had been lent to her by Te Puia - NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman Toby Curtis spoke on behalf of the iwi and said he looked forward to being able to work towards a better future for Rotorua. He acknowledged each councillor by name and the contribution Ngati Whakaue had given to the city.

"Rotorua is wanting to become the number one spa centre in the world ... it must aim to become a leading musical mecca in the world. We have such wonderful talent here, both in the past and in the future," Dr Curtis said.

"We have the ability and natural resources to make it a a living adventure park. We have to let the world know that we have something wonderful here on our doorstep.

"There are issues that we need to address in Rotorua but as they say it's better to light the candle than curse the darkness. Madam Mayor, we look forward to you lighting that candle."

Dr Curtis said it was the first time Te Arawa had been given the opportunity to acknowledge the new council.

"It was a bonus to know nearly every councillor by name and something about them so this was a wonderful introduction to centre ourselves and acknowledge that we know each other so let's get on with the business of growing our city," he said.

Mrs Chadwick said she was moved to tears by the welcome she received and the excitement of being on the marae with her husband, John, and her family, some who travelled from Hastings and Auckland for the occasion.

"Today is more overwhelming to me then being sworn in as mayor of Rotorua. That ceremony is in a world I know, this is a parallel universe and you can feel the influences here of those that have gone before us."

She spoke of the significance and honour it was to wear the korowai which belonged to Maggie Papakura having visited her grave in Oxford, England and the geyser at Te Puia bursting to life when she was elected mayor.

"I formally announce today that the council, under my leadership will continue to foster and build a sustainable relationship with Te Arawa," she said.

"Maori are the sleeping giant of Rotorua. We call it the taniwha economy and it is bubbling away with vigour.

"This is a new dawn. Te Arawa, it's time to move forward as one, time for our parallel universes to meet again by working together we will succeed," Mrs Chadwick said.