Latest news with #RotoruaLakesCouncil
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty weather: Region braces for heavy rain, monster swells hit coastline
MetService said there was a moderate chance the orange warning could be upgraded to red, and warned streams and rivers could rise rapidly. 'Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.' A strong wind watch is also in place for Coromandel Peninsula, eastern Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with northeast winds approaching severe gale force in exposed places. Rotorua Lakes Council said residents living by waterways that are prone to rising during heavy rain were urged to stay on high alert. 'Particularly those along the Ngongotaha Stream who should consider staying elsewhere tonight, as a precaution, until the weather event passes,' the council said. 🌊 Big waves rolling in 🌊 Strong northeasterly winds are driving up swells along eastern coastlines of the upper North Island 💨 Significant wave height: the average peak-to-trough height of the highest one-third of the waves. This is what you'd generally 'eyeball' the wave… — MetService (@MetService) July 28, 2025 'If you don't have somewhere you can stay, contact Rotorua Lakes Council on 07-348 4199. 'Rotorua Lakes Council Civil Defence staff are closely monitoring the developing situation, in collaboration with Bay of Plenty Civil Defence staff, and taking steps to ensure they can respond if/as needed.' Bay of Plenty Regional Council said in a statement it had activated its flood room at 9.30am and was liaising with local councils regarding the impact of the rain across the region's major schemes: Waioweka-Otara Rivers Scheme, Whakatāne-Tauranga Rivers Scheme, Rangitāiki-Tarawera Rivers Scheme, Kaituna Catchment Control Scheme and the Rangitāiki Drainage Scheme. A spokesperson said as of 11.30am, there were no warnings in place. However, this was likely to change overnight. 'The flood room team do communicate directly with landowners or the occupiers of properties on low-lying rural land next to major rivers within or adjacent to the river floodplain, should rivers expect to reach first and second warning level,' the spokesperson said. 'The warnings are pre-recorded voice messages sent via an automated system to a person's landline and/or mobile phone. These notifications ensure these landowners have time to prepare, for example, moving stock to higher land.' A first warning level means the river level has reached its normal channel capacity. A second warning level means the river has overtopped the channel banks and has flooded the area next to the river. This is still well within the flood defences around the river, such as a stopbank or floodway. Atmospheric River (AR): a long, narrow region in the atmosphere that transports vast amounts of water vapour, often from the tropics to mid-latitudes. This AR is the fuel for today's heavy rain & impacts associated with heavy rain (e.g., flooding & slips). — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 28, 2025 The heavy rain has also prompted the Department of Conservation to close tracks to Coromandel's Mautohe Cathedral Cove and urge visitors not to go to the famous beach. DoC Coromandel senior ranger Matt Flynn said it was prudent to close the tracks given the weather system's expected impact. 'DoC's priority for this site continues to be the safety of visitors and managing visitor risk. Poor weather exacerbates the landslide and rockfall risks at Mautohe Cathedral Cove. 'We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove while this weather system moves – the conditions make it unsafe. 'We do not want people getting hurt.' Flynn said the Mautohe Cathedral Cove closure came into effect from 6am today and would be in place until further notice. Sea swells are expected to increase with the weather system and anyone planning to visit Mautohe Cathedral Cove by boat should check sea conditions first and consider the risks.
1News
4 days ago
- 1News
Send in the drones: Resident calls for aerial crackdown on dirt bikers
Warfare, shark-spotting, real estate photography. The drone has become a multi-use agent of the sky, and a Rotorua resident wants them used to fight illegal dirt bike activity plaguing the city. However, local authorities warn the seemingly simple solution is anything but. Rotorua Lakes Council and local police have faced increasing difficulty keeping the city's reserves, play areas and sports fields safe from vandalism – particularly from dirt bikes. Earlier this month, police promised a crackdown on the issue. ADVERTISEMENT Resident Ryan Gray believed drones could be the answer. He deals with the problem daily with "loud and obnoxious" riders hooning down a nearby cycleway. "These riders dive onto footpaths and cycleways where cars can't go, and if they're chased, they'll just ride more dangerously," said Gray. "That's where drones come in. You've got CCTV, you've got the tech so why not use it? "The camera sees them, drone goes up, follows them home, you then knock on their door, and you've got them on video." Rotorua resident Ryan Gray wants more done about illegal dirt bike activity plaguing public areas. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) A video of the issue he posted online recently sparked comments of vigilante action and concerns for innocent bystanders and the riders. "It's not even about catching everyone, it's about deterrence. If people know they'll be caught, they'll think twice. ADVERTISEMENT "Right now, it feels like no one's doing anything, and the community's getting desperate. We shouldn't have to wait for a kid to get killed before police take this seriously." Authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have trialled similar systems. Their efficacy remains up for debate although, in California, footage of drones chasing and locating nuisance riders has been a hit on social media. In Western Australia, drones have been in use since 2018. They have more than 80 police pilots using them for search and rescue, surveillance, and public safety. This has included crackdowns on problem vehicles. "Western Australia is the single largest policing jurisdiction in the world," said Western Australia Police Sergeant Nathan Gilmour. "The inclusion of drone technology enhances police search capabilities across large distances and over rugged terrain that would unable to be accessed by vehicles or personnel." "Police are guided by Civil Aviation rules and legislation such as the Search and Surveillance Act and the Privacy Act when deploying drones over residential areas," he said. "We also know that these riders often travel considerable distances across town and the drone is also subject to flight time capability and distance from the control point." ADVERTISEMENT Drone use has been banned at Kuirau Park, Rotorua Lakefront Reserve, Village Green, Motutara (Sulphur) Point and Hannah's Bay Reserve. These sites are near an airport, helipad or aerodrome. Generally, operators must fly only in daylight, below 120m, keep drones in sight, and avoid people or private property. Flying near airports or in controlled airspace requires approval. Rotorua Police area prevention manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) Rotorua Police area prevention manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks said drones may seem like an "easy solution", but there were complicating factors. He believed collating information, public help and a cultural shift in some communities was needed to tackle the dirt bike issue. "We still require the public to step up and come forward with the street addresses that these dirt bike riders are coming and going from regularly," he said. "This anti-social behaviour is a societal problem, not just a police problem. It requires a mindset shift that the community can have an impact on achieving." ADVERTISEMENT Rotorua Lakes Council was also asking the community for help, with its hands tied by the nature of preventive barriers. "We must balance restricting motorcycle/vehicle access with ensuring that reserves and shared paths are accessible for legitimate users like walkers, people on push bikes, people with prams and people using mobility devices," said a council spokesperson. Drones were not seen as the solution. "The council doesn't have the resources to purchase or operate multiple drones to deter dirt bikers. "For anyone using drones, permission is required from owners of land a drone is being flown over, so they aren't necessarily practical for surveillance purposes." By Mathew Nash, Local Democracy Reporter Local Democracy Reporting is local-body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Send in the drones: Call for aerial crackdown on dirt bikers
A Rotorua resident says drones should be used to catch problem bike riders. Photo: Bevan Conley via LDR Warfare, shark-spotting, real estate photography. The drone has become a multi-use agent of the sky, and a Rotorua resident wants them used to fight illegal dirt bike activity plaguing the city. However, local authorities warn the seemingly simple solution is anything but. Rotorua Lakes Council and local police have faced increasing difficulty keeping the city's reserves, play areas and sports fields safe from vandalism - particularly from dirt bikes. Earlier this month, police promised a crackdown on the issue . Resident Ryan Gray believed drones could be the answer. He deals with the problem daily with "loud and obnoxious" riders hooning down a nearby cycleway. "These riders dive onto footpaths and cycleways where cars can't go, and if they're chased, they'll just ride more dangerously," Gray said. "That's where drones come in. You've got CCTV, you've got the tech so why not use it? "The camera sees them, drone goes up, follows them home, you then knock on their door, and you've got them on video." Rotorua resident Ryan Gray wants more done about illegal dirt bike activity plaguing public areas. Photo: Andrew Warner via LDR A video of the issue he posted online recently sparked comments of vigilante action and concerns for innocent bystanders and the riders. "It's not even about catching everyone, it's about deterrence. If people know they'll be caught, they'll think twice. "Right now, it feels like no one's doing anything, and the community's getting desperate. We shouldn't have to wait for a kid to get killed before police take this seriously." Neil Hunt Park's main football field was closed off to the public after recent dirt bike activity. Photo: LDR/Mathew Nash Authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have trialled similar systems. Their efficacy remains up for debate although in California, footage of drones chasing and locating nuisance riders has been a hit on social media. In Western Australia, drones have been in use since 2018. They have more than 80 police pilots using them for search and rescue, surveillance, and public safety. This has included crackdowns on problem vehicles. "Western Australia is the single largest policing jurisdiction in the world," said Western Australia police sergeant Nathan Gilmour. "The inclusion of drone technology enhances police search capabilities across large distances and over rugged terrain that would unable to be accessed by vehicles or personnel." "Police are guided by Civil Aviation rules and legislation such as the Search and Surveillance Act and the Privacy Act when deploying drones over residential areas," he said. "We also know that these riders often travel considerable distances across town and the drone is also subject to flight time capability and distance from the control point." Drone use has been banned at Kuirau Park, Rotorua Lakefront Reserve, Village Green, Motutara (Sulphur) Point and Hannah's Bay Reserve. These sites are near an airport, helipad or aerodrome. Generally, operators must fly only in daylight, below 120m, keep drones in sight, and avoid people or private property. Flying near airports or in controlled airspace requires approval. He believed collating information, public help and a cultural shift in some communities was needed to tackle the dirt bike issue. "We still require the public to step up and come forward with the street addresses that these dirt bike riders are coming and going from regularly," he said. "This anti-social behaviour is a societal problem, not just a police problem. It requires a mindset shift that the community can have an impact on achieving." Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks said drones might seem like an "easy solution", but there were complicating factors. Rotorua Police area prevention manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks. Photo: NZME via LDR Rotorua Lakes Council was also asking the community for help, with its hands tied by the nature of preventive barriers. "We must balance restricting motorcycle/vehicle access with ensuring that reserves and shared paths are accessible for legitimate users like walkers, people on push bikes, people with prams and people using mobility devices," said a council spokesperson. Drones were not seen as the solution. "The council doesn't have the resources to purchase or operate multiple drones to deter dirt bikers. "For anyone using drones, permission is required from owners of land a drone is being flown over, so they aren't necessarily practical for surveillance purposes." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
1News
6 days ago
- Politics
- 1News
'Torches' and 'pitchforks': Rotorua council's turbulent water debate
Rotorua Lakes Council has thrashed out two proposals that will shape the city's future approach to water and treated wastewater services. But it was not straightforward in the meeting on Wednesday, with councillor Robert Lee's suggestion to dump treated wastewater into a stream rebuked by fellow councillors, and debates over mana whenua and te ao Māori principles. Rotorua's current wastewater system uses spray irrigation in the Whakarewarewa Forest under a temporary agreement until 2026. The council was voting on whether to establish a Recovered Water Working Group to assess alternatives and recommend a new permanent discharge method by early 2027. The vote was divided into two sections, with the criteria and values of a working group to consider as well as the weighting of those values. ADVERTISEMENT Lee labelled the process "overly complex and complicated" and any working group a "recipe for disaster". Councillor Robert Lee of Rotorua Lakes Council. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) He suggested a simple solution existed, which was to drain treated wastewater into Puarenga Stream. He said this would be the "cheapest solution" for ratepayers. Councillor Gregg Brown said that would be a "pretty quick" way to end up in the Environment Court. Councillor Don Paterson then suggested the people of Ngapuna would be "lighting torches and coming with pitchforks" should that be the plan. Councillor Conan O'Brien insisted a complete consensus on the issue was unlikely, before Mayor Tania Tapsell emphasised a need to go "above and beyond" to ensure all wastewater decision-making was made in the public eye. Rotorua Lakes Council Mayor Tania Tapsell. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) ADVERTISEMENT Councillor Lani Kereopa also expressed her concerns about the plan putting costs ahead of mana whenua engagement. She and Lee both voted against the criteria and values. Councillors were asked to vote on how to prioritise the outcomes the working group should focus on. One option gave more weight to financial and practical concerns, assigning 35% each to total lifecycle cost and implementation risk, while giving just 10% each to relationships with mana whenua, community acceptance and environmental outcomes. The alternative was to treat all five areas equally at 20% each. Most councillors supported the first option with the heavier weighting on cost and risk. However, Kereopa, Paterson and Trevor Maxwell voted against it, raising concerns that mana whenua engagement was being undervalued. Lee abstained. There was more heated debate as councillors confirmed the Water Services Delivery Plan. The plan, required by the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation, stated Rotorua would continue managing water services in-house until at least 2028. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, the council would explore forming a joint water services organisation with neighbouring councils, then make a final service delivery model decision in 2027. Lee signalled an intention to abstain from voting, saying he was sceptical of the ability of a council-controlled organisation to deliver and of some wording around te ao Māori and mana whenua. He highlighted a recent agreement with Ngāti Kearoa-Ngāti Tuara over Karamū Tākina Springs, which supply 60% of the city's drinking water, saying it meant rates rises for constituents. Despite their concerns about changes being forced upon them by central government, Lee's abstention was rebuked by Brown and O'Brien. Councillor Gregg Brown. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) "For a mayoral candidate to sit on the fence is not great fella," said Brown. "Abstain? Come on. You've got all the information make a decision." "I won't be abstaining despite my concerns," said O'Brien. "Because I am here to make decisions. I believe that is why people put me here. Not just to blab, continue on and sit on the fence and not make a decision or follow principles." ADVERTISEMENT Lee suggested abstaining was one of three voting options, along with yes and no. 'Continuing bashing of Māori and iwi' Tapsell said his voting options were yes or no and that abstaining was considered a non-vote. The mayor praised council staff for putting together a "strategic document', which gave the council time and opportunity to decrease costs and ensure they make the right long-term decision. She then called out Lee for what she described as his "continuing bashing of Māori and iwi". Tapsell suggested the Karamū Tākina Springs agreement potentially saved a sum approaching $100 million. Lee's attempt to raise a point of order in response was shot down by Tapsell, who gave him one more chance to "please be quiet" to allow the meeting to continue. ADVERTISEMENT The motion then carried, with Lee abstaining and Paterson voting against – believing it was unfair Rotorua be treated the same as other areas with poorer performing water systems. Tapsell and Lee previously confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting they would run for mayor in the October election. By Matthew Nash, Local Democracy Reporter LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Rotorua charity plans ‘Adopt A Streetie' initiative to aid homeless
Love Soup's Julie King said the Adopt A Streetie idea had been on her mind for a while and was a natural progression from the Village of Hope. She said the streeties could be put into a home once they were ready. King said they used coming together to eat and prepare food as a way of finding those who genuinely wanted to change and improve their lives. The five people being housed in the village were now helping to prepare and cook the meals for other homeless at the weekend. Love Soup Rotorua's Julie King. Photo / Supplied Love Soup provides between 25 and 30 meals every Saturday and Sunday night, as well as giving food for others to do breakfasts in the morning. 'I know people don't want us feeding them but it is our way of bonding and coming together,' King said. They had heard of similar hosting projects overseas where those given free rent repaid the favour by offering to do jobs and chores. 'If we plan it right, it can work.' King said the sleeping pods idea 'had not really panned out' on the large scale it had originally aimed for, because of compliance issues with Rotorua Lakes Council. It was set up as an emergency response in a secret location on land near Rotorua, but the council advised Love Soup would face enforcement actions if it didn't stop what it was doing and apply for consent. New sleeping pods to be used by streeties at a secret location. Photo / Supplied King said the village was replacing some of the pods with caravans and campervans, which they believed would gain council approval more easily. King said they would sell six of their eight pods – asking about $2500 each. The pods are made from hard plastic and each has ventilation, insulation and sleeps two or three people side-by-side. King said Love Soup set up the Village of Hope for those willing to abide by their rules and there were strict criteria and screening for those they allowed in. The set-up was 'working wonders' for the five people currently using it because they had somewhere warm, dry and safe to sleep. Two were sleeping in pods and the other three in a donated campervan, caravan and a car. Love Soup volunteers transported them to the two secret locations and supervised them from nearby before returning them to Rotorua in the morning. Homeless gather on Pukuatua St for free breakfast. Photo / Kelly Makiha King said the original long-term vision of having several pods on iwi land was no longer going to work. 'We still think the pods are amazing and they work really well. It's just the iwi land has fallen through.' Gaining compliance was also going to be too difficult, although King said once they had their caravans set up properly, she would invite the council to check on their operation in case it needed consent. Jean-Paul Gaston, council district development group manager, told the Rotorua Daily Post last week the council had a legal responsibility but Love Soup had not shared any information about what they planned or what they were doing and where. Gaston said the council advised that any type of accommodation required consent before starting operations and encouraged them to get this process under way. King said Love Soup, as part of wider efforts to find solutions to homelessness in Rotorua, had stopped having regular meetings with other local organisations as they had a clear database now of what everyone was doing. 'It was just starting to be chitty chat but now we are in the movement side to get things done.' Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
