Rotorua Daily Post
  • Rotorua Daily Post home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Sport
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Residential property listings
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Rural
  • Sport

Locations

  • Tauranga
  • Te Puke
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Taupō & Tūrangi

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales

Weather

  • Rotorua
  • Tauranga
  • Whakatāne
  • Tokoroa
  • Taupō

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Man claims Rotorua's Sudima isolation hotel had cracked walls, mould, and broken furniture

Caroline Fleming
By Caroline Fleming
Multimedia Journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·
17 Sep, 2020 05:00 PM7 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Another guest in isolation said he was not surprised a person escaped Rotorua's Sudima Hotel on Wednesday night. Video / Andrew Warner

A man who spent two weeks in managed isolation claims his hotel was "a horrible place" with cracked walls, mould, broken furniture, ripped curtains and a blocked shower drain.

The Auckland man, who only wanted to be known as Mark, also said he was not surprised a person escaped Rotorua's Sudima Hotel on Wednesday night, comparing what he described as "depressing" living conditions there to a prison.

Sudima Hotels responded saying it was "very concerned and disappointed to read of this guest's poor experience" and that Mark was moved to another room.

"Constraints placed on our operational teams while operating as a managed isolation facility have interrupted some maintenance schedules," the hotel said.

Mark's claims come after a man escaped managed isolation through a fenced area at the Sudima on Wednesday night – sparking a full NZ Defence Force staff search.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The man, who has not been charged, was missing for half an hour before being taken to hospital for assessment.

He had previously returned a negative Covid-19 test. Police believed he did not move beyond the immediate area and security had been bolstered.

Security at the Sudima Hotel had been bolstered following the escape. Photo / Andrew Warner
Security at the Sudima Hotel had been bolstered following the escape. Photo / Andrew Warner

Mark, who did not want to use his last name, told the Rotorua Daily Post he and his partner were "not surprised the man wanted to escape" and they believed it would not have been difficult to do.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The couple stayed in managed isolation at the Sudima after returning from the United Kingdom to see Mark's sick father on August 17.

Mark said they asked to be moved from their original room because it was too small.

He claimed the couple's hotel experience included mould, cracks in the walls, broken furniture, ripped curtains and blinds and a blocked shower that took 20 minutes to drain when he stayed there.

He provided photos of alleged issues from both rooms he said they stayed in.

Discover more

New Zealand|crime

'Unacceptable' crime concerns prompt action over Fenton St emergency housing

30 Aug 05:00 PM
New Zealand

Haere mai Aucklanders - but please follow the rules

31 Aug 05:00 PM
Kahu

Māori more likely to die from Covid-19 study says, iwi responses commended

03 Sep 05:00 PM

Isolation hotels: Rotorua getting 30+ extra Defence Force personnel

07 Sep 02:23 AM

He said, in his opinion, it was a "depressing, horrible place" and claimed they had complained to the hotel on numerous occasions but not much could be done as staff could not enter the room.

When asked if it would have been difficult to escape the hotel, Mark said that it would have been easy and "he could've got out if he wanted to… especially that late at night with hardly anyone around".

Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied

Mark also claimed the hotel consistently failed to give the couple full meals as they were the "only ones in their block and were easily forgotten".

He said this was not a huge loss because, in his view, the food was "hardly edible".

He said he would be paying what he believed were "ridiculous" prices for room service that included $42 for a bottle of wine and $10 for a microwave pie and potato chips.

Mark also alleged that when they left they found the mattress they had been using was badly stained with what looked like blood.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied

He said they "wouldn't have slept on it" if they had known.

"It really was the most disgusting experience… we were horrified to have been treated like this in our own country and feel New Zealanders should be made aware of just how low the standard is for the unlucky ones that get the short straw isolation accommodation," he said, expressing his view.

"It has totally put us off Rotorua."

The couple fully supported isolation and keeping the community safe but the conditions were, from their perspective, not acceptable.

Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied

However, he said the staff and defence force officers at the hotel were helpful and understanding.

The couple had complained to Managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) which had opened a case review into the incident, he said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

A manager at the Sudima Hotel Rotorua said all media inquiries on the topic needed to go through MIQ and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The Rotorua Daily Post asked MBIE a number of questions, including how the man escaped, where he went and where he was now and sought a response to Mark's claims.

Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied

The ministry was also questioned about how the escapee was able to flee given Rotorua got 50 new Defence Force guards for the city's managed isolation facilities only a week ago.

A managed isolation and quarantine spokeswoman said eight security staff and one police officer were on shift at the time. "The extra NZDF deployment are set to begin duties at the managed isolation facility at the Sudima Rotorua next week.

"However, in immediate response to this incident four additional NZDF personnel were moved to the facility, along with two additional private security."

She said CCTV footage was being reviewed. "Information at present indicates the man exited through a door and forced his way through fencing layers."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

She said initial information suggested the man stayed close to the facility and was not in contact with any member of the public.

"The public health risk has been assessed by officials as low, and the man's day three test result was negative. The man has undergone assessment in hospital, and will be returning to managed isolation at the appropriate time where additional wellbeing support will be put in place."

Managed Isolation and Quarantine staff also confirmed they "received complaints from the couple and that an MIQ complaints staff member had apologised to the couple for their experience".

"We have received excellent feedback from other returnees about this hotel, but have passed on this person's feedback on to hotel management."

All managed isolation and quarantine facilities adhere to Ministry of Health guidelines around cleanliness requirements, they said.

"Returnees are provided three meals per day and snacks to their room that are funded by the Government. For any additional meals, guests can order room service or deliveries from local shops or supermarkets at their own expense."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

A further statement said: "Sudima Hotels is very concerned and disappointed to read of this guest's poor experience.

"We sincerely apologise for any vexation the issues raised have caused.

"Sudima Hotels staff are able to respond to guest concerns on a 24-hour basis and are able to safely relocate any guest to another room if any issues are brought to our attention during a guests stay.

"We can confirm that this guest was moved to another room during their stay.

"Constraints placed on our operational teams while operating as a managed isolation facility have interrupted some maintenance schedules," the statement said.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said residents were promised that nothing like this would happen and it was just "another blow" for the city.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied
Mark provided photos from what he says were the conditions his managed isolation room at the Rotorua Sudima. Photo / Supplied

He said they would be outraged to hear that the city joined Hamilton and Auckland where people had broken out of isolation.

"Labour promised this wouldn't happen. They rushed people into quarantine in Rotorua in the dark of night and promised that the facilities would be secure. They've now reportedly let someone over the fence in Rotorua."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said it was "obviously disappointing" but she had been reassured that the matter was dealt with quickly and the risk to the wider community was low.

She said the expectation was that people would abide by the conditions that had been put in place to protect the public.

"We have all played our part and we ask that those re-entering New Zealand also play their part and not put us at unnecessary risk."

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey declined to comment.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Rotorua Daily Post

live
Rotorua Daily Post

‘A lot of rain’: Serious flooding, slips concerns as yet-another storm bears down

10 Jul 09:02 PM
Rotorua Daily Post

'Give Paea a chance': Wife's tearful plea for Tongan overstayer

10 Jul 08:02 PM
Rotorua Daily Post

SPCA alarmed about rise in staff abuse, threats to kill pets

10 Jul 05:00 PM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Rotorua Daily Post

‘A lot of rain’: Serious flooding, slips concerns as yet-another storm bears down
live

‘A lot of rain’: Serious flooding, slips concerns as yet-another storm bears down

10 Jul 09:02 PM

Electrical storms are set to hit at evening rush as Auckland braces for 16 hours of rain.

'Give Paea a chance': Wife's tearful plea for Tongan overstayer

'Give Paea a chance': Wife's tearful plea for Tongan overstayer

10 Jul 08:02 PM
SPCA alarmed about rise in staff abuse, threats to kill pets

SPCA alarmed about rise in staff abuse, threats to kill pets

10 Jul 05:00 PM
'Stop this madness': Police promise crackdown on illegal dirt bikers

'Stop this madness': Police promise crackdown on illegal dirt bikers

10 Jul 03:52 AM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Rotorua Daily Post e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Rotorua Daily Post
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP