Rotorua is becoming victim to the Auckland housing boom. I have owned a home in Rotorua since I first started teaching here, and so personally on the surface the increase in value looks good. But really, we all know that this is putting way too much pressure on the bulk of our people who are low income earners. They cannot afford the deposits let alone the increased rental costs bearing in mind incomes in Rotorua haven't gone up in years. Also, many of our senior citizens are realising that this does not bode well for their grandkids, our future generations, who are being kept at arm's length from home ownership.
Every year the numbers of home owners in New Zealand keeps decreasing. We know a good job and a home with a family in it is the cornerstone, the very foundation of our Kiwi society. It is being taken from us. You cannot blame people from around the world wanting to come and live in New Zealand; foreign speculation is permitted here. Overseas people are gambling with our homes. The problem is a government that refuses to set the rules in favour of Kiwis. No, rather we have a government that favours foreign speculation, foreign investment, and foreign trusts and tax evaders. This is their ideal world. It is not mine and it is not New Zealand First's and every day I am being told that it is not the what the people of Rotorua want either.
On a more celebratory note, the Hospice fundraiser last Saturday night was a huge success and highlighted just how the Rotorua community can come together for a great night of entertainment; all the while supporting a very worthy cause. A huge shout out to the organisers, MCs, judges and most of all the dancers. All those dancers put their reputations on the line to support Hospice and goodness me, didn't they do well. No mana was lost that night, but what a hard job the judges had. Congratulations to everyone involved.
- Fletcher Tabuteau is a Rotorua-based New Zealand First list MP.