From reopening Rotorua Museum to strengthening schools, business, and social cohesion - connection, confidence and community are among the hopes of local leaders. Reporter Annabel Reid finds out what is on the leaders’ wish lists for the New Year.
Tapsell said she wanted to honour the city’s past by reopening the Rotorua Museum, while also protecting its lakes and forests so they could be enjoyed now and into the future.
She aspired for locals to “feel proud, safe and confident in Rotorua’s potential”.
“If three million visitors a year can appreciate the beauty of Rotorua, then I believe we all should as well.”
Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell pictured at the Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards after being re-elected to lead the city for another term in the top job.
11 October 2025 Photograph by Alan Gibson - Gibson Images Ltd.
Taupō District Mayor John Funnell
John Funnell said his hope for 2026 was to bring the community closer together.
He said the “dreadful” events at Bondi Beach had highlighted the cost of division in society, and he wanted people across the district to listen openly, act with tolerance and recognise the need to work together to achieve shared aspirations.
Funnell said his priority was for the council and the community to find new ways of doing things, so people could seize opportunities to build their own futures and that of the Taupō District.
Taupō District Mayor John Funnell. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua Boys’ High School principal John Kendal
John Kendal said the school’s focus for 2026 was ensuring every student felt a strong sense of belonging at Raukura and was supported to achieve their highest academic qualification.
He said that foundation would enable students to give back meaningfully to the wider community.
Kendal said the school remained firmly committed to its vision of being “the outstanding Boys’ High School in New Zealand”.
Principal of Rotorua Boy's High John Kendal in term one 2025. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Melanie Short
Melanie Short said her focus heading into 2026 was on strengthening Rotorua’s business community through connection, innovation and resilience.
Short said she wanted to see the city “thrive” through bold inner-city development, strong partnerships and opportunities that empowered both established businesses and emerging talent.
A key priority was ensuring members had access to the tools, training and targeted advocacy they needed to navigate challenges and drive sustainable growth.
She said together those efforts could help shape a “vibrant, future-ready Rotorua”.
Andrew Wilson said his continued focus was on ensuring Rotorua kept thriving as a “place people are excited to visit” and that locals and businesses were “proud to call home”.
He said priorities included sustainable growth, deeper partnerships with mana whenua and industry, and delivering strong value for both the community and businesses.
Wilson said he was encouraged by the “optimism” shown by local business leaders in the latest Business Pulse survey and was looking ahead to “increased job creation” and continued “visitor growth” that would build “long-term confidence, resilience and prosperity for Rotorua”.
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rotorua Lakes Council councillor Ben Sandford
“We need to invest in Rotorua, we need to back ourselves, and we need some clear vision on what we want to achieve," said Ben Sandford.
He said he wanted to see more opportunities created by working more closely with communities and businesses to lift quality of life across the city.
That included improving public spaces, collaborating to achieve shared outcomes and providing more fit-for-purpose places where young people could spend time and build their own futures, Sandford said.
Rotorua Lakes Councillor Ben Sandford. Photo / Mathew Nash
2025 Western Heights High School head boy Finely English
Finely English said Rotorua was a “beautiful” city and he felt confident 2026 would be a bright year ahead.
He hoped the community would continue to be “generous and caring, looking out for one another and respecting the surrounding environment to keep our home looking its best”.
English said he would love to see more people – especially rangatahi – getting involved in community and council events to meet new people, build stronger connections and gain a better understanding of local decision-making.
Kendall said she would prioritise resourcing a “safe place” for students to study after school, alongside improved flight and bus connections into Rotorua to boost both tourism and the local economy.
Love Soup Rotorua Elaine Kendall (left) with MTF Rotorua finance specialist Richard Kellow. Photo / Supplied
Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.
