Local Focus: Tania Tapsell on Candidate Camera

In the latest in the Local Focus Candidate Camera series, Rotorua mayoralty candidate Tania Tapsell discusses the cost of living, emergency housing and what she calls "stopping the spend".

She's the youngest and most experienced candidate for Rotorua mayor.

And her nine years of experience on the council has taught Tania Tapsell that safety of the community is the big issue she's campaigning on for Rotorua residents.

If successful in her bid, Tapsell says she would invest $1.5 million into community safety and crime prevention initiatives.

"While it shouldn't be our job, we have to do something about it," she said.

While Tapsell supports co-governance for Rotorua, she sees Iwi involvement differently on a national level.

"Here in Rotorua, we are very unique," she said.

"Our iwi own a lot of water assets or land assets that we need to work in partnership with for Rotorua."

Another mayoral candidate chose to not be interviewed by Local Focus.