Stories by Felix Desmarais
News
Labour support falters as Rotorua electoral bill ‘fallen foul’ of Bill of Rights
Labour's support of Rotorua council's bill to change electoral rules for the district could be floundering, after the Attorney General found it was not consistent with the Bill of Rights Act.
Secret council proposal to sell 10 reserves for housing revealed
Under the proposal, five reserves would be sold to Kāinga Ora, three to private developers, and two would become pensioner housing, documents obtained by Local Democracy Reporting suggest.
'It just seems wrong': Council critic wants action on Blue Baths building
The former leaseholder says it's "not good enough" the council does not have a plan for the closed category one heritage-listed building in Rotorua.
'Pumped': Three Māori ward seats, one rural ward after decision overturn
Rotorua will have three Māori ward seats at the next local election.
Claim Rotorua council 'using ratepayer money to fight ratepayers'
A farmer is accusing the district council of "arrogance" for showing up to a Local Government Commission hearing with a ratepayer-funded lawyer.
Why one council is trying to change electoral law
Explainer - Rotorua's council is pushing for an electoral law change. How did we get here?
‘Out of thin air’: Appellants take council to task on Māori ward structure
The chief executive of Rotorua council's iwi partnership group says the council dropped its final ward structure "out of thin air".
Anti-social behaviour no 'excuse' to stop public housing builds - Minister
The government says it "can build a good community" on Rotorua's Tania Crescent.
Chocolate fish, t-shirts and a can of coke: Council leaders' card spend
Chocolate fish, free t-shirts and a book named Fifteen Shades of Climate were among more than $112,000 in credit card purchases by Bay of Plenty leaders last year.
'Rotten families': Councillor lashes out over unsafe street
Two senior political leaders are frustrated over the lack of police and council action regarding violence in a Rotorua street.
Street violence has woman sleeping by baseball bat
A resident in Rotorua's Western Heights says she is sleeping with a baseball bat by her bed due to street racing, violence, threats and a riot in her neighbourhood.
Council uses drone to find rough sleepers in reserve
Rotorua Lakes Council flew a drone over an urban reserve to find rough sleepers, and found two.
Revealed: The cost of pursuing Rotorua’s Māori ward local bill
The pursuit of a bill to allow an equal number of Māori and general ward seats in Rotorua has so far cost ratepayers more than $46,500.
Watching grass grow: Pensioner's wait for berm trim
They say the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but one Rotorua pensioner just wants the council to mow her berm.
'Need a clothes peg on your nose': What stinks in Rotorua?
Lake weed on a $40 million lakefront redevelopment is causing a stench in Rotorua and has so far cost ratepayers about $20,000 to clear.
‘It’s real, please take it seriously’ - Rotorua mayor tests positive for Covid-19
Steve Chadwick says the worst of the illness appears to be over but it hit her "very hard".
Motel emergency housing a 'stopgap measure', Ardern says
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says emergency accommodation is a "stopgap measure" and is concerned about its long-term social effects.
Muffins, scones, tea: Bay of Plenty leaders gobble almost $118k in a year
Some Bay of Plenty councils and health boards have spent almost $118,000 on catering in a year.
Rotorua Lakes Council almost $6m in the red
Rotorua Lakes Council is almost $6 million in the red, and the council says it is mostly due to the "ongoing impact of Covid-19".
Rotorua projected to have shortfall of 1890 homes by next year
First-home buyers and elderly renters are paying the price of a "dire shortage" of housing in Rotorua, agents say.
Councillor removed from council committees after breaches
Rotorua district councillor Reynold Macpherson has been removed from two council committees after failing to apologise for code of conduct breaches.
Whaka 100 cancellation 'nonsensical', but health experts say it's necessary
A would-be Whaka 100 participant says cancelling the popular Rotorua mountain biking event was "nonsensical" as a de-facto race will likely take place without safety measures.
'Really pissed off': Confusion, worry abounds in phase approach
A Rotorua community leader says people are starting to get "really pissed off" with changes to Covid-19 strategy "every couple of weeks".
Rotorua mayor says honour is recognition for battles fought
Steve Chadwick told LDR it was hard not being able to share the news with her late husband, but she said they would have joked over their competition with one another.
Can money be made from human poo? A council's spent millions trying
A Local Democracy Reporting investigation can reveal a $6.7m Rotorua District Council investment in technology to turn human waste into "gold" has returned zero dollars in 12 years.