The path to the council chambers is under way. Photo / NZME
Voting for Rotorua’s local elections opens on Tuesday. The rural ward is decided, but nine other councillors are still to be elected, along with a mayor.
Local Democracy Reporting asked the 28 councillor candidates to identify three key issues Rotorua will face over the next three years and their vision for the city in 10 years.
Some responses have been edited for length, clarity or legal reasons.
Jared Adams
The biggest issue is transparency to the public. The community is still kept too much in the dark about the operations of the council when it is required by law to be “open, transparent and democratically accountable”.
The perpetual debt cycle the council has put the ratepayer in means the debt may never be paid off.
The public’s opinion and how elected officials vote sometimes seem starkly opposed to each other, when in reality, how do you represent the ratepayers when voting against their wishes?
Transparency from the council will create a better community environment, and more people would get on board with what the council is doing if it listened to the public and provided far greater transparency. Rotorua will return to being the tourism capital of New Zealand as it has been in the past. This will take time, less PR spin and more honesty to regain trust.
Philly Angus
My vision for Rotorua is to be a thriving and sustainable city, the best place in New Zealand to live, visit and invest in.
In 10 years, I want Rotorua to have a vibrant city centre full of local business, culture, and events; a community whose wellbeing and safety is always looked after; clean lakes, reliable and strong infrastructure that future generations can depend on. This can be achieved through smart financial decisions, building safer communities by working closely with police and community groups, and protecting our environment. We need to be making good decisions with people, place, purpose at the heart of this process.
Gregg Brown
Liquidating any freehold property not required for core council services, potentially realising $10m to $20m, using this cash to reduce borrowings.
Vision for the city. That’s really the mayor’s call, but a test for council is whether we are attracting good people to live and invest.
Jenny Chapman
My vision is for Rotorua to be a place where locals are proud to call home, and visitors leave with unforgettable experiences. To achieve this, I will listen to the voices of rangatahi, community, businesses, and agencies, and invest in long-term strategies that deliver sustainable growth and wellbeing for our whole community.
Richard Collins
I want a vibrant and sustainable economy and a safer, more pleasant place to live. These are interlinked issues: if people are financially better off and everyone is given opportunities, we will all be happier. We need everyone to be successful, and the whole region to prosper.
There are complex issues to resolve, with many sides to every argument. I will be open to ideas and opinions when making decisions for the community.
Brendan Davis
To be the Queenstown of the North Island. To get business up and running well in the city and have a long-term solution for the homeless. Clean up our city and make it a place people feel safe to work and come to visit, then promote our city to get the tourism back to a much higher level.
My vision is a city that encourages community engagement, gives back to our elderly, and supports our youth and families. I believe in Rotorua and, with your vote, I would be honoured to help make our community a better place to live.
Mathew Doidge
My vision is for a vibrant and sustainable Rotorua with a strong economy; a city that is inclusive and equitable, providing opportunities for all. I will support long-term, evidence-based decision-making that effectively engages stakeholders, while remaining cognisant of economic stresses confronting us.
Shakaina Fraser
These are not issues that a person standing as a candidate can navigate from their own vision.
There has to be involvement from all people with vested interests. The land owners, Waka Te Arawa, the homeowners, the ratepayers, the citizens of Rotorua as a whole.
They are who matters, not us candidates who stand to lead. But them who will share that leadership with us. We are here to serve the people.
Frank Grapl
To be the number one tourist destination in New Zealand and be more affordable for locals to visit our local attractions.
Bring in strategies of what already works internationally, connecting more of our locals and tourism/city business on a regular basis.
Ryan Gray
Rotorua has been through tough times, but our city is worth fighting for. Rotorua deserves a council focused on solutions that help people thrive.
That means investing in infrastructure, sports fields and community facilities that strengthen our city and create foundations for more jobs and opportunities.
We need smarter planning rules to enable housing for all stages of life, and to leverage Rotorua’s location near New Zealand’s busiest port by unlocking commercial land and ensuring RotoruaNZ can drive growth and attract more visitors by restoring our reputation.
Homelessness and crime require stronger central government support. With my background in business and the public service, I know how Wellington works and will fight for the resources Rotorua needs.
I will put downward pressure on rates, reform outdated rules to cut costs for responsible dog owners and improve safety, and ensure tangata whenua are respected for their role in shaping Rotorua.
Sandra Kai Fong
Rotorua 2035, a prosperous, proud and vibrant community where tourism, forestry and innovation drive jobs and investment. I’m a strong and passionate advocate for Rotorua and will champion anything that helps to achieve this vision through council policies, projects and work programmes.
Robert Lee
I would like to see Rotorua as the best version of “us” that we can be. That includes being a thriving tourism destination. We can’t also be a major social housing destination serving the rest of New Zealand. The two visions are incompatible. We therefore need to review our housing policies accordingly.
Reynold MacPherson
If elected councillor, I will focus on financial reform - capping rate rises to inflation and reducing debt; restoring vibrancy to the CBD through free time-limited parking and events; and restricting council to its legislated core business - safe infrastructure, regulatory services, community facilities, and democratic governance.
My 10-year vision is a city of civic pride and opportunity, underpinned by prudent financial management and accountable leadership, where decisions are made with integrity, fairness, and respect for all, without political theatrics.
Mariana Morrison
My vision for Rotorua is protecting what we have, growing what we need, and strengthening our communities, achieved through strategic leadership, collaboration, and with whānau at the centre.
Don Paterson
Three key issues I will prioritise are: restoring Rotorua’s reputation as a world-class destination; enabling a resilient economy while keeping rates affordable; and ensuring local voices are driving the future of our region.
Rotorua is a vibrant world-class destination that balances prosperity with social wellbeing and a thriving natural environment. I will achieve this through stronger council-industry-iwi partnerships, advocating for co-investment in tourism and infrastructure, and policies that encourage business growth, while embedding cultural identity at the heart of our city.
Ben Sandford
I see a Rotorua where …
Housing is affordable, safe, and sustainable – with no homelessness crisis.
Inner city is vibrant and welcoming – a hub of local culture, markets, shops, and community events.
Partnership with mana whenua is genuine and visible.
Rotorua is a leader in eco-tourism and geothermal innovation.
I’d commit to evidence-led decision-making, deeper collaboration between council, community, iwi, and central government, and transparent communication with residents.
Rahul Sethi
I want a vibrant, safe, and thriving Rotorua with strong tourism, a healthy environment for current and future generations, and affordable housing. I’ll support local businesses, invest in infrastructure, promote sustainability, and work closely with the community to address key issues.
Trevor Maxwell
Support efforts in regaining the number one position in tourism.
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait
I want to see Rotorua thriving with adequate housing for families and seniors, early assessment of health needs with suitable treatment options, education and quality training for students and young school leavers, sufficient local jobs providing good incomes for families. A clean, healthy, natural environment to enjoy.
Harina Rupapera
I am hoping that the council can shift debt in a way that doesn’t keep affecting ratepayers, making it harder and more expensive for everyday landowners and operators.
I will help achieve this by due diligence, researching and managing the project objectives of infrastructure change and any possible avenue in a responsible way. The economical city shifts are not reflecting the state of the community in the city, and that is something we need to do better at adapting to. I will help by trying to strategise and find new ways we could possibly shift our direction and make sure we can keep our values and intent for the city.
Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith
My vision is a governance structure working in partnership with council, warm and healthy homes, affordable living, tamariki feeling safe to learn and play and a growing local economy.
Improving facilities so we can promote local and national events.
Ensuring waterways and whenua are maintained, decisions are truly collaborative, made by the community. The council should listen, not dictate.
Fair decisions now can set us up to work collectively and never lose sight that the people of Rotorua come first, not just corporate interests.
Te Rika Temara-Benfel
I have always seen our tūrangawaewae as a place of opportunity and potential. In 10 years’ time, I hope our tamariki can swim in any of our roto knowing that our wai is healthy. I hope to see our key industries reinforced and adequately promoted so our whānau and rangatahi can access fulfilling employment.
I want to see more community and whānau-led responses to homelessness, food insecurity and environmental protection, backed and supported by the resources, facilities, and capacity of council. I want councils’ relationship with mana whenua strengthened and flourishing.
I will support these by bringing the voices of our hāpori to the table, by being a kanohi kitea in the community supporting grassroots kaupapa, and advocating for policies and investment that achieve these whainga.
Jason Monahan, Pam Neilson, Conan O’Brien, Neville Raethel, Fisher Wang and Rawiri Waru were invited to comment.
Voting for Rotorua’s local election opens on September 9 and remains open until noon on election day, October 11.
Preliminary results will come in on the same day, with final results announced between October 16-19.
Mathew Nash is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. He has previously written for SunLive, been a regular contributor to RNZ and was a football reporter in the UK for eight years.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.