Stories by Felix Desmarais

Dentists and politicians are welcoming a Ministry of Health directive to fluoridate some local water supplies, but a Rotorua MP says cheaper dentist trips would be better.

A proposal to sell 10 Rotorua reserve sites for housing has been met with vehement opposition, with some claiming it would debilitate local businesses and bring Fenton St's problems to...

The government will announce an end to the practice of providing emergency housing to "out-of-towners", Rotorua mayoral candidate Fletcher Tabuteau claims.

An estimated $18 million to $20 million will be required to finish the Rotorua Museum renovation, a council report reveals.

The Department of Internal Affairs has hit back at Rotorua Lakes Council after its rejection of Three Waters reform, saying it "stands up" to scrutiny.

A resident says the sale of the Coulter Road Reserve for housing would crush "the heart and soul" of the local community.

Only one Rotorua Lakes councillor did not want to reject the government's controversial proposal.

Four petitions with a total of 1215 signatures opposing the proposal to sell 10 Rotorua reserve sites for housing, will be presented to the council on Thursday.

The cost of renovating the Rotorua Museum could swell to as much as $83 million, creating a $30m funding shortfall, a document obtained by Local Democracy Reporting reveals.

A new "civic plaza" and sculpture, an arts precinct, cycleways and a wooden courthouse in a new location are among the council's vision for a revitalised city centre, documents reveal.

In its last meeting before dissolution, a Lakes District Health Board member has taken a final swing at the government over MIQ, saying it was "imposed" on the city.

Some are concerned it means the system in Rotorua involving the use of motels for emergency housing will be long term.

Rotorua Library is following the trend of about 19 others nationwide opting to remove fines on late books, in an effort to focus on literacy "enablement" over enforcement.

Rotorua Lakes Council says rain has eased and the Ngongotahā stream is not expected to flood overnight after residents were earlier urged to prepare to evacuate.

Rotorua Lakes Council and Kāinga Ora discussed the sale of Rotorua's reserves for housing as early as September 2021, documents reveal.

A proposal to sell 10 Rotorua reserve sites is one step closer to public consultation after it cleared another hurdle in a split council vote.

A Rotorua developer believes a council proposal to charge developers for infrastructure growth would "kill the goose that lays the golden egg" and disincentivise investment.

Tania Tapsell has entered the race for the Rotorua mayoralty with a promise to focus on stopping "the spend".

One third of the 120 family harm calls a week in Rotorua are to emergency housing motels, the council says.

Election candidate Robert Lee is taking Rotorua Lakes Council to court for a judicial review of its November decision to pursue a bill to change electoral rules for the district.

The council had budgeted for an almost $4.4m operating deficit for the period, and an overall operating deficit for the year of $10.4m. The result for the period was a $5,595,000 deficit.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick was "unlawful" when she decided a discussion on Rotorua's controversial Māori wards bill would be held confidentially, two public law experts believe.

Rotorua councillor Peter Bentley says the mayor's actions at a council meeting on Thursday were the final straw.

Rotorua council has pressed "pause" on its Māori wards bill, with Labour retracting its support.

Peter Bentley stepped down after a fiery exchange with mayor Steve Chadwick over the issue of a bill to change electoral laws.