Opinion: Is the Rotorua District growing?

Rotorua residents share their thoughts on how the district is growing and changing. Photo / File

On the back of a report saying Rotorua is on the up, we asked residents whether they thought the district was growing.

Margaret Roger said the city was becoming vibrant.

I think Rotorua is growing and becoming more and more vibrant every day. It's really busy now, parking is more difficult to get.

Margaret Roger, 80

Galatea

Dave Marshall has lived in Rotorua for about a year and a half.

I've been here about a year and a half, I shifted from Auckland and came down because the housing was affordable and the city is small but vibrant. It's definitely grown since I was here in the early 2000s and it seems to be continuing.

Dave Marshall, 51

Westbrook

Dammon Paul was slightly concerned about empty shops.

I notice there are lots more Aucklanders coming here to live. There's still growth but it's still quite concerning the businesses are closing down. I still see a lot of closed shops.

Dammon Paul, 45

Owhata

Teresa Falcon said things had changed for the better.

I lived here years ago and grew up here and it's changed. It's more spread out now. A lot of the old shops have closed down. It's getting bigger and there's more people around. It's changed for the better.

Teresa Falcon, 60s

Owhata

James Edwards likes the night markets but not the new City Focus.

I think it's great but I don't like the new City Focus. It was awesome how it was before. I do agree with the night markets. I love them on Thursdays.

James Edwards, 57

Tihiotonga