Letters to the editor: Independent review into council a welcome suggestion

A reader writes about the council's new deputy chief executives. Photo / Getty Images

In the Rotorua Daily Post (Local Democracy Reporting, June 18) I was delighted to read, "I can't sit back and say nothing" from former mayor Grahame Hall, supported by Rotorua MP Todd McClay, in relation to the deputy chief executives.

Chief executive Geoff Williams was quoted as saying: "This is an exciting opportunity for us to create a more adaptable and responsive organisation that is capable of delivering real value for our community".

In my opinion, isn't this what those seven staff members should be focusing on already?

''Real value for our community'' - what does this even mean?

In my eyes, Rotorua lost the friendly ambience when the City Focus was removed from the CBD and replaced with something that looks more like a set from a sci-fi movie.

Also, these pay rises could be used, instead, to replace the lost car parks along Hinemoa St.

An independent review? Yes, please.

Pauleen Wilkinson
Rotorua

Let dogs in the CBD

It's great to read of the chamber of commerce and council proposals to open up the CBD to future residential development (News, June 19).

This is long overdue.

But could I suggest the one relatively overdue pre-requisite is attended to - that dogs be allowed in the CBD.

Yes, the 25-year-old bylaw prohibiting dogs from the CBD and accompanying reserves still applies in Rotorua.

Consequently, dog owners are threatened with a $300 fine, and visitors to our tourist town are being chased away.

And yes, Rotorua has the proud reputation of being the only city in NZ to have such an outdated law.

Kay Hurzeler
Rotorua

Greed behind homeless problem

Rotorua MP Todd McClay is right - Rotorua is being trashed by the influx of homeless unfortunates, and it is going to get worse.

There were at least 1000 Airbnbs in Rotorua in 2019, according to the Rotorua Daily Post, and the owners of these properties made more than $32m profit.

Airbnbs are occupied for a relatively short period of time, the rest they stand empty.

How many of the proposed new houses will be bought and used as Airbnbs by investors?
Once again Rotorua will become disfigured by greed.

If we are to ever get rid of this massive homeless problem in New Zealand, then we first have to get rid of the biggest problem in the country - greed.

Jim Adams
Rotorua

Memories of Kawerau

My father came to Kawerau in 1962 from Reed's Papermill in Kent England, under a two-year contract, to install the new paper machine at Tasman.

He then went on to work for Caxton. In those days, there were loads of employment opportunities around town.

Downer-Comstock, a big Canadian firm, was working on-site at Tasman and the Matahine dam was being built at Te Mahoe.

As I grew up, I played soccer at the Kawerau Club, played cricket, and danced at the Concert Chamber to the music of John Rowles. This time in Kawerau was some of the best years of my life.

My father stayed in NZ for the rest of his life, while I returned to the UK for a number of years. I have lots of happy memories of Kawerau and it is so sad that the mill is closing down.

Clive Phillips
Rotorua

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