RDC246 Lifestyle document RDC version 11.indd
Transcription
RDC246 Lifestyle document RDC version 11.indd
AFT DR LY ON ROTORUA WORK & LIFESTYLE PROFILE He aha te mea nui o te ao? He ta tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What hat is the mo most important thing in the world? It is people! It is ppeople! It is people! Our spirit of opportunity AFT DR LY ON CONTENTS KIA ORA, WELCOME TO ROTORUA.........................................1 Why live and work in Rotorua .................................................................... 2 Fast facts ............................................................................................................. 4 5 REASONS TO LIVE AND WORK IN ROTORUA ..... 6 1. Quality lifestyle .............................................................................................7 Community events .......................................................................................... 8 Arts and culture .............................................................................................10 Sports and recreation .................................................................................. 12 Dining and leisure ......................................................................................... 14 Affordable quality housing ........................................................................ 15 2. Extensive natural resources ............................................................... 16 Water, geothermal, forests ..........................................................................17 A gardener’s paradise................................................................................... 18 3. Central location and modern infrastructure .......................... 19 Accessible and connected ..........................................................................20 4. Strong support.............................................................................................21 Education services ........................................................................................22 Health services ...............................................................................................23 Community facilities ....................................................................................24 Expertise in science ......................................................................................25 Employment services ...................................................................................26 Business diversity - employment opportunities ............................... 27 5. Passionate people .....................................................................................28 Diversity of people ........................................................................................29 Keeping residents safe.................................................................................30 CONTACT US .......................................................................................................31 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................31 TESTIMONIAL PRABHA RAVI Prabha Ravi, International Education Director at Waiariki Institute of Technology, moved to Rotorua from Wellington to get back to the front lines of education after a spell in bureaucracy. As a recent arrival her first impressions are very favourable. “I think it’s a great place; the people are really warm and seem to be good at embracing all cultures. The staff at Waiariki are fantastic – it feels like a family here. This is a very supportive community”. Rotorua is a world famous mountain biking destination ...with over 100 km of trails to suit all ages and abilities This document has been prepared by the Rotorua District Council and Chamber of Commerce, assisted by contributions from various stakeholders in the Rotorua community, to provide a broad overview about Rotorua as a destination to live and work. Although all due care has been taken, neither Council nor stakeholders accept liability to any person who places reliance on the contents. It is recommended that people do their own research for any planning and decision making. AFT DR LY ON welcome Rotorua to Rotorua feel the spirit Manaakitanga This is our brand...it’s the unique spirit of the people, land and community culture that gives Rotorua a distinctive lifestyle appeal. 1 AFT DR LY ON WHY LIVE AND WORK IN ROTORUA? Rotorua is located in New Zealand’s Central North Island (CNI). The region is formally known as the ‘Bay of Plenty,’ named for its rich and bountiful natural resources. Rotorua is world famous. Since the 1830s international visitors have enjoyed Rotorua’s natural geothermal wonders and Maori cultural experiences. Rotorua has built a successful reputation as an iconic tourism destination, renowned for its welcoming hospitality – referred to in Maori as ‘manaakitanga’ (mar-nah-key-tongue-are). North Island ROTORUA DISTRICT BAY OF PLENTY REGION AUCKLAND 234km HAMILTON 108km WAITOMO CAVES 166km • Surf beaches • Private secondary schooling Within three hours: • Hawke’s Bay vineyards • Access to nearly 50% of NZ’s population • Major ski-fields • University of Waikato University of Auckland ROTORUA / INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHAKAPAPA / SKI FIELD 177km TAUPO 80km NAPIER 223km Close to great skiing Close to great surf beaches Residents benefit from easy access to world-class outdoor activities including fishing, camping, boating, swimming, hunting, mountain biking, geothermal bathing and wellness treatments. Within one hour: TAURANGA / PORT 86km WELLINGTON 460km South Island CHRISTCHURCH 888km Regional comparisons QUEENSTOWN 1,330km travelling times and distances TO/FROM: Auckland 234km 3 hours TO/FROM: Hamilton 108km 1 hour TO/FROM: Whakapapa Skifield 177km 2 hours 30 minutes TO/FROM: Tauranga 86km <1 hour TO/FROM: Taupo 80km <1 hour TO/FROM: Napier 223km 3 hours TO/FROM: Wellington 460km 6 hours INFORMATION SOURCED FROM NEW ZEALAND STATISTICS AND NIWA. Location Housing average price Rotorua Population Sunshine hours Rainfall (mm) $240,000 68,900 2,117 1,401 Central Auckland $607,054 404,658 2,060 1,240 Waikato $294,348 382,716 2,009 1,190 Tauranga $428,943 115,700 2,260 1,198 Wellington Central $542,191 179,466 2,065 1,249 Canterbury $368,784 521,832 2,100 648 2 AFT DR LY ON WHY LIVE AND WORK IN ROTORUA? Rotorua has been judged New Zealand’s most beautiful city six times in the last 11 years and is the current title holder. TO TAURANGA Kaituna River Residents living in Rotorua achieve unequivocal work-life integration through quality employment opportunities, a stunning natural environment and a thriving community conducive to sporting and recreational pursuits. (Tauranga Direct Road) 36 Okere Falls (via Te Puke) 33 Otaramarae Okere Hamurana TO AUCKLAND, HAMILTON AND WAITOMO CAVES TO TAURANGA Lake Rotoehu Lake Rotoiti Mourea 30 5 Lake Rotokawa Mokoia Island Mamaku 30 Rotoiti 30 TO WHAKATANE, OHOPE AND GISBORNE Lake Rotoma Gisborne Point TO WHAKATANE Te Ngae 34 Kawerau NORTH Lake Rotorua Mt Ngongotaha Tarawera Forest Access by permit The city maintains a strong Maori cultural heritage. The local tribe (iwi) is Te Arawa who have gifted substantial amounts of land to benefit the entire Rotorua community. There is a strong bicultural partnership between local government and Te Arawa. era ver Ri w Tara Lake Okareka Whakarewarewa Forest Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) State highway Public toilet Picnic area Lake Okataina ROTORUA key Walking trail Mountain bike trails Fishing Boating Tarawera Falls Lake Tarawera Tarawera Outlet Swimming Camping Geyser Golf course International Stadium 30 5 Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake) Hot Water Beach Mt Tarawera Tumunui Lake Rotomahana 30 Waimangu 5 Waikite Valley Excellent value-for-money lakeside, city, urban and rural housing living 3 TO TAUPO, TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK AND WELLINGTON Lake Okaro Rainbow Mountain Lake Rerewhakaaitu 38 Wai-O-Tapu TO MURUPARA, WHIRINAKI FOREST AND LAKE WAIKAREMOANA Plenty of family, sporting, art and music events to suit all tastes AFT DR LY ON FAST FACTS Economy • GDP $2 billion • 68,900 residents • 10,000 daily visitors • Multi-cultural – 150 nationalities • Median house price $240,000 • 3+ million visitors p.a. • 4 key industry sectors NZ’s most Environment • 261,906 ha total size of district • 41% forest • 43% agriculture • 8% lakes award winning beautiful city • 300 metres above sea level • 2,117 sunshine hours annually • 22-26ºC summer temperatures • 10-16ºC winter temperatures • 18 volcanic lakes (16 accessible) • 120 wetlands • 3 main ma rivers • 9+ geothe geothermal fields 4 AFT DR LY ON FAST FACTS Infrastructure and services • Rotorua International Airport • Modern public, several private hospitals • 16 general medical practices TESTIMONIAL MURRAY FLEMING • 80+ childcare facilities Murray Fleming, General • 47 schools Manager of Event Promotions, moved his • 21 tertiary training providers Life and leisure • 100+ things to do • 100+ sports & recreation clubs • 30+ arts and crafts groups • 30+ annual community events heartland of NZ’s Maori culture company to Rotorua to help him achieve his dream of growing it into the major event management company in New Zealand. “Rotorua is an ideal central base for our portfolio of events,” he said. Rotorua’s central positioning and the proactive and helpful support of the District Council • Two community theatre groups and other local stakeholders • 800 ha of reserves, gardens and parks free for public use business. • 1 daily & 2 weekly newspapers. Local TV station & 3 radio networks • 85% say Rotorua is a safe place 5 have made it a good place for Event Promotions to do As a former NZ representative in international marathons, with a personal best of 2hrs 18 min, Murray says “Rotorua is an outstanding place to live – I love running and biking in the forest. For quality of life and the people it’s a great place.” AFT DR LY ON 5 reasons live work inRotorua to and 6 AFT DR LY ON reason 1 quality lifestyle FOR MORE INFORMATION: 7 rotoruaNZ.com creativerotorua.org.nz sportbop.co.nz newcomers.co.nz rotaz.co.nz parksyde.org.nz realestate.co.nz AFT DR LY ON COMMUNITY EVENTS Rotorua has successfully hosted national and world championship events, including mountain biking, fishing, sailing, bowls, target shooting, rugby, touch and kapa haka. Rotorua also puts on impressive community events that are an important part of the lifestyle, culture and spirit. They bring together people from all generations, nationalities and religions to celebrate who we are and what we are about. Weekly markets (Thursday night, Saturday and Sunday) are complemented by annual events: Bike Festival The 10-day Rotorua Bike Festival celebrates Rotorua’s great terrain, on and off road, for cycling and mountain biking. The 2013 Bike Festival included the National Mountain Bike Championships, a new off-road enduro event, a spectacular downhill race series, plus family fun rides, Tykes on Trikes, criterium racing in the streets and many other events. January Blue Lake Rowing Regatta, Blue Lake Multisport Festival, Rhythm@RAVE February Raggamuffin Reggae Concert, Rotorua Bike Festival March Lakeside Concert, Redwoods Half Marathon, Walking Festival, Tarawera Ultra Marathon, Children’s Day April 100K Flyer cycle race, XTERRA Festival, ANZAC day commemoration May Rotorua Marathon, Cat Eye Moonride Raggamuffin Reggae Concert June Targa Rotorua Rally, Rotorua Blues Festival, 3D Rotorua Multi Sport events July N-Duro Winter Mountain Bike Series, Fire and Ice Festival, Matariki celebrations August Tough Guy & Gal September Kurangaituku Netball Tournament Raggamuffin is a summer Reggae music festival that has been held annually at the Rotorua International Stadium since 2008. With an audience of over 30,000, it has become a must-do for Reggae lovers across the country. October Ekiden Relay, Deepwali Indian Cultural Festival November Bike the Lake, Triathlon NZ Contact Tri Series December Rotorua Half Ironman, GLO Festival rhythm@rave Lakeside This music extravaganza features a wide range of local, national and international artists organised by the Rotorua BluesFeast Trust. Lakeside is a free outdoor summer concert at the Lakeside Village Green that attracts over 25000 people annually. With music for all tastes and ages, the event brings the community together like no other event in the region. 8 AFT DR LY ON COMMUNITY EVENTS Children’s Day Kurangaituku Netball Held every summer in the beautiful Redwoods, this Children’s Day celebration is a time for adults and children to enjoy the environment and the activities on offer. With free entry and activities including face-painting, nature-based games, creative art, story-telling, performances, music and other such forest adventures. The activities change every year and encourage adults to enjoy participating with their children. Tournament XTERRA Multisport Festival GLO This is New Zealand’s biggest multisport event and the largest XTERRA event held anywhere in the world. Rotorua’s three-day New Years festival. The festival is free to attend and has been put together with family in mind, offering activity for locals and visitors to enjoy. The evening’s entertainment ends with a grand fireworks display! XTERRA is for people of all abilities, with multisport events for everyone from professional athletes to once-a-year amateurs competing in teams or as individuals for swimming, mountain biking, running and walking events in spectacular scenery. There is even an interactive XTERRA Kids Zone. New Zealand’s largest netball club tournament has been in existence for over 75 years. Each year more than 300 teams compete at Rotorua’s Westbrook Netball Complex over three weekends. A staggering 650-plus netball games are played each weekend, not counting the semi-finals and finals. Teams travel from as far afield as Kaitaia in the north and Otautau in the south. Rotorua Marathon Rotorua Night Market New Zealand’s iconic marathon which takes participants around picturesque Lake Rotorua, celebrates its 50th birthday in 2014, attracting runners from around the world. The event also features half and quarter marathons and a 5.5km fun run. The Rotorua Night Market is a premier destination in the Heart of Tutanekai Street. 9 Every Thursday evening from 5:00 pm. Live entertainment and a wide variety of stalls ranging from artisan produce, arts and crafts and street dining. The market provides a main focal point for the community and visitors to Rotorua. AFT DR LY ON ARTS AND CULTURE An array of visual, literary and performing arts contribute to a vibrant, thriving community. Home to New Zealand’s Centre of Excellence for Maori Arts and Craft. Rotorua is proud of the influence of indigenous culture. Community, philanthropic, local and central government agency support Community Events and the City’s Art’s Village (RAVE). Concerts and Cultural Events • Free outdoor Lakeside Concert • Magma Short Film Festival and film-making workshops • The New Zealand Aria • Rotorua Concerto • Rhapsody Rotorua (Musical Workshop for Youth) • Music at the Band Rotunda • Stage Challenge • NZ Music Month Celebrations • SmokeFree RockQuest • Art in the Park Art Classes - beginners’ to advanced janetkeen.blogspot.com Tai Chi parksyde.org.nz TESTIMONIAL CLARE BARRATT-WOOD Reading Round get-together of book lovers rotorualibrary.govt.nz Introduction to Artisan Breadmaking facebook.com/ciabattabakerynz Rotorua Music Federation: Lazarus String Quartet rotoruamusic.org.nz Glass-blowing workshops defluteglass.co.nz Clare Barratt-Wood moved to Rotorua in 2010 and teaches contemporary dance. Her talents were quickly recognised and she was asked to choreograph ‘Rotorua Entertains’, working with community arts groups to create performance pieces to entertain fans during the Rugby World Cup. Besides her work with the highly rated Anne Samson School of Ballet, Clare works as a dance and movement specialist with special needs children at Kea Street Specialist School. “What’s great about Rotorua is its fresh, dynamic approach to the arts. There is a diverse selection of art forms and there is a great passion and drive for local people to get involved. I feel the opportunities here are just beginning; there are many great foundations to produce a wealth of talent in Rotorua.” 10 AFT DR LY ON ARTS AND CULTURE Arts and Crafts Rotorua Arts Village (RAVE) hosts about 30 arts, Crafts and community groups. With three large studios, a gallery, craft store and meeting rooms, the Village is a key part of the district’s culture life. Offering varied tuition in weaving, painting, origami, ceramics, photography and pottery. Theatre and Literature Rotorua has two community theatre groups, which generally stage two productions per year with at least one at the custom-built Civic Theatre. The Rotorua Musical Theatre also perform at their Riri Street Theatre while The Rotorua Little Theatre preform at the Shambles Theatre. The environment in Rotorua fuels creative writing and there are numerous writing and poetry groups catering for most genres. Exhibitions and Galleries • The iconic Museum of Art and History (Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa) brings significant national and international Art exhibitions to Rotorua. • The District Public Arts Collection contains heritage features, contemporary works, murals and sculptures. • Half a dozen galleries and studios offering paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and art glass • Cottage and retail industries offering Arts and Craft supplies support our creative community. • Rotorua Public Arts Trail featuring respected sculptors Jamie Pickenell, George Andrews and Rakei Kingi and artists Marc Spijkerbosh, John Pugh and Angel Croft. 11 thriving arts community with 30+ groups TESTIMONIAL MIKE FIRTH “Rotorua has always been a second home for me. When I returned from working in Los Angeles it was Rotorua that I came back to. It’s now my first and only home. I feel more connected to New Zealand living here. I’m not just saying this – Rotorua and the surrounding region are uniquely different to any other place in NZ.” “Rotorua has a relatively small community of creative people and we all know each other. Some of us work together on the Rotorua Magma Short Film Festival and on Film Central to promote the region as a filming location. “I am building a team of local talent in front of and behind the camera to produce a feature film here. There’s a genuine passion among locals to tell stories from the region, which makes for ment.” a more creative working environment.” AFT DR LY ON SPORT & RECREATION Rotorua is an adventure playground; a gateway to world class sporting and recreational activities for residents and visitors. Rotorua’s lakes and rivers cater for a wide range of activities including: • Fishing and boating The quality of Rotorua’s outdoor lifestyle is exceptional. Our lakes and rivers have wide appeal and our mountain biking tracks are amongst the best in the world. There is a diverse number of walks and tramps in the district and Sports and Recreation is well supported by over 100 clubs in the area. • White water rafting, sledging and kayaking • Water skiing, wake boarding and jet skiing • Windsurfing and kite boarding • Waka ama (outrigger canoeing) and flat water kayaking 1. LAKES AND RIVERS 2. MOUNTAIN BIKING AND CYCLING Rotorua has an abundance of water with 18 lakes, 3 major rivers (Waikato, Kaituna and Rangitaiki) and numerous streams and springs that flow through our district. The lifestyle benefits include: • Lak Lakeside living and or stunning views • Awesome b beaches – perfect for picnics, BBQ’s, swimming and playing • ional family cam Exceptional camping opportunities • Fantastic walking, running and hiking trails around our lakes 3. WALKING AND TRAMPING Rotorua has hundreds of walking tracks catering for gentle pram-friendly or wheel-chair accessible strolls through to multi-day rigorous hiking trips such as the Okataina Tramping Track, the Kaharoa Kokako Track, and the Mangorewa Track. There is also a 26km designated city walkway winding through scenic areas, lake frontage, bird sanctuaries, urban areas and geothermal activities. Within an hour of Rotorua, you’ll find Redpath Farm Trails and the Waikato River Trails. Further afield, Tongariro National Park is a two hour drive with one of the best ‘one-day’ treks in the world. Rotorua is ranked as one of the top 10 mountain biking destinations in the world. New Zealand’s most popular mountain biking adventure playground is centred in the Whakarewarewa Forest, only minutes from the city centre. With a network of more than 100km of tracks, it caters for beginners and family groups through to more extreme action riders. Te Ara Ahi, The Thermal by Bike cycle trail offers a 74km cycling adventure through a thermal wonderland of steaming vents, bubbling mud pools and spectacular geysers. Rich in diversity including rare flora and fauna and is steeped in Maori history and folklore. This trail is normally ridden over two days. 12 AFT DR LY ON SPORT & RECREATION 4. SPORTS CLUBS AND FACILITIES 5. MAJOR SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS There are over 100 sporting and recreational clubs in Rotorua. Selected examples include: • Running, athletics and track • Diverse array of team and individual sports • Swimming, water polo, underwater hockey • Triathlon and multi-sport • Horse-riding, marching or wood chopping Rotorua’s renowned natural environment and spectacular landscape makes it home to a wide range of significant sporting events including: Supporting Sport and Recreational pursuits in Rotorua, the district has exceptional facilities including: • Mountain Bike World Champs (2006) • Hosting three games for the Rugby World Cup (2011) • Oceania Mountain Bike Champs (2012) • Smallbore Rifle Shooting Championship (2013) • NZ Sports Academy • Energy Events Centre – purpose built indoor arena • International Stadium – for sporting fixtures, concerts and community recreational activities • National Te Matatini Kapa Haka Events (2013) • Aquatic Centre with outdoor 50m pool, lap pools, spa, lazy river, splash pool and family pool. • Whitewater rafting world championships • BMX track and Mid Island Gymnastic facility • • Tennis courts and specialised sports fields Kurungaituku – largest Netball Tournament in New Zealand • National standard hockey astroturf • • Netball complex Rotohoe Waka Ama – annual outrigger regatta • Internationally recognised golf courses • XTERRA Festival • Rotorua Bike Festival TESTIMONIAL - ALASTAIR GATT Alastair Gatt, a legal consultant at East Brewster, lawyers, first came to New Zealand when playing badminton for Scotland in the 1990s. “New Zealand felt like somewhere I could live and work as opposed to just enjoying visiting,” the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist said. So after 20 years practising as a solicitor in Edinburgh, he and his wife Catherine and daughter Scarlett made the move in 2007 and shifted to Rotorua not long after that. “The idea of bringing Scarlett up in New Zealand as opposed to a big UK city was a big factor in our move. Of course, the weather is a big plus when you come from Scotland! On top of that, we’ve found the people here very welcoming and very down to earth, which we really like.” 13 Catherine and Scarlett have started mountain biking, Alastair has started playing badminton again at masters level, and the whole family enjoys residents rates at many local attractions and a soak in a hot pool at the end of an active day. Alastair says he feels more involved at work, with East Brewster smaller and less hierarchical than firms he has worked at in the past. “I put my hand up to be the firm contact for our membership of the Rotorua Sustainable Business Charter and have found that really interesting. We’re in the process of implementing some fairly significant changes that are pretty innovative for a law firm, which will make our business much ‘greener’ and more sustainable.” 800ha of reserves, gardens, parks free for public use AFT DR LY ON DINING AND LEISURE Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and Breweries Residents Specials Truly cosmopolitan, Rotorua’s cultural diversity is reflected in Eat Street offering a mouth-watering selection of quality restaurants, cafes and bars. An instant success when a city block was closed to traffic, Eat Street has outdoor tables, planters and umbrellas. An abundance of delectable cuisine including Swiss, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Turkish, Mexican and Algerian. Many visitor attractions offer residents significant discounts or free entry with a paying guest, with proof of address. Rotorua also has it’s own award-winning craft brewery (Brew) and a specialty icecream shop. Aside from Eat Street, there are also beautiful dining experiences in all of the major hotels, and chic cafés located all over the city in shopping blocks and at many of the visitor atttractions. Leisure Activities • Indulge in one of the many quality spa resorts (Polynesian Spa, WaiOra Spa, Hell’s Gate, Waikite Valley or other smaller establishments) • Ask a local where the free hot pools are (e.g. Kerosene Creek, Butcher’s Pool) • Rotorua has a multiplex cinema (Readings) and a boutique cinema (The Basement) TESTIMONIAL - BRENT PARK Brent Park grew up in Rotorua, then headed off around the world to make a career as a winemaker. He had a dream to come back and set up a winery somewhere in the central North Island. When he met Sean Beer, another winemaker, at a West Auckland winery the dream began to take on substance. Brent and Larissa Park and Sean and Jo Beer began looking for the right place. “We saw a real niche here, for an attraction that is more relaxed rather than adrenaline filled. We have tthe view, good music and the wine: we could bring something to orua that wasn’t here h before.” Rotorua Rotorua’s solid tourism base, the fact that Volcanic Hills winery would be the only one in the district, and Brent’s knowledge of resources and skills available in the area made Rotorua the best choice. Allied with Skyline Skyrides, an iconic Rotorua attraction, and based at a major tourist hub Volcanic Hills is finishing its winery and offering tasting sessions at Skyline, a gondola ride above the town and overlooking Lake Rotorua. Brent and Larissa’s two children have started in year 4 and year 6 at St Mary’s Primary School – “a very beautiful and very welcoming school”. Brent already feels “very much involved with what Rotorua is about”. 14 AFT DR LY ON AFFORDABILE QUALITY HOUSING The cost of living and housing (both rental and purchase prices) in Rotorua are lower than other New Zealand cities. Rotorua offers city, urban lakeside and rural living wit options to suit all budgets and lifestyles. The median house price in Rotorua as at Jan 2012 was $230,000 compared to $355,000 for New Zealand as a whole. Lower house prices enable home ownership to be a realistic option for young families. Median house prices $400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $357,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $240,000 $50,000 $0 ROTORUA NEW ZEALAND SOURCE: ROTORUA ECONOMIC PROFILE. INFOMETRICS – MARCH 2012. Comfortable three and four-bedroom homes in good areas sell for $300,000-$400,000 and more modest family homes are still available in the $180,000-$250,000 range. In Rotorua, even many of the modest homes have excellent gardens and outdoor areas. One of the advantages of Rotorua housing is that in certain zones, homes are geothermally heated 15 which greatly reduces the cost of heating and hotwater. For the discerning buyer Rotorua boasts lake edge and luxurious properties (typically >$1 Million). Lifestyle properties 15 – 20 mins from the city ranging in size from one to six hectares sell for $500,000 to $1.5 million. With the city boundaries only minutes from downtown, demand g for inner city living is not substantial, but is slowly increasing. Most apartment developments are comparatively small scale, but there is a range of quality apartments available from $192,000 to $800,000. AFT DR LY ON reason 2 extensive natural resources FOR MORE INFORMATION: rotoruaNZ.com rot ro t ebop.govt.nz eb bop op..g go rrdc.govt.nz rd c.go c. govt go vt.n .n nz ggrowrotorua.com gr row owro wro roto tto oru rua. ac 16 AFT DR LY ON WATER, GEOTHERMAL, FORESTS If there is one thing Rotorua celebrates, it’s our natural environment: 18 lakes, numerous geothermal areas with hot pools and spectacular steam eruptions, glorious landscapes of native forests, some of the largest commercial plantation forests in the world, farmland, hundreds of kilometres of walking, cycling and mountain biking tracks. The city is nestled in a huge, ancient caldera 20km across at its widest point and 16km at the narrowest, with Lake Rotorua nearly 300 metres above sea level. Home to the World’s largest floating wetland ...protecting our lakes for future generations to enjoy 17 The district enjoys an average of 2,117 sunshine hours per year and 1,401 mm of rain. Temperatures are moderate. The forests, coupled with extensive trees and gardens in the city, suburbs and parks, support a rich and varied bird life, both native and introduced. Some of New Zealand’s rarer birds, such as the secretive and formerly endangered kokako and the spectacular native falcon, karearea, thrive in the district. Environmental action In recent years concern has grown about the effects of population growth and intensive farming on a number of lakes. Increasing enrichment of lake waters by farmland run-off and seepage from waste water and sewage have prompted a programme of improved sewage and waste water management and longer term work to reduce enrichment without unnecessarily damaging farming interests. Leading edge research and combined action by local, regional and central government, Te Arawa organisations and other community groups are making real advances in cleaning up the Rotorua lakes, supported by a $200 million funding commitment. The work under way at present will produce land use changes in the coming years, opening up new commercial and lifestyle opportunities. geothermal energy has strong potential Most beautiful city In the city and suburbs, the manmade environment has won Rotorua the title of New Zealand’s most beautiful city six times since 1999, rewarding the focus on continuing beautification, civic pride and litter reduction and removal. One of the things that strikes most newcomers (other than the distinctive sulphur smell only noticeable for the first day or so) is the high quality of both private and public gardens and the standard of maintenance of most homes and other buildings. It’s a mark of the ommunity. pride that Rotorua people take in their city and their community. AFT DR LY ON A GARDENER’S PARADISE If there is a gardener’s paradise, Rotorua is a strong candidate. The district’s free draining volcanic soils, its 2000plus hours of sunshine per year and its height above sea level of almost 300 metres make for great growing conditions. All fruit and vegetables grow well in Rotorua. A number of nurseries around Rotorua grow everything from blueberries to feijoas, along with big forestry nurseries. The free draining soils and cooler nights make EDUCATION Rotorua exceptional for growing Japanese maples, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, and deciduous trees have stunning colours in autumn. Kuirau Park has wonderful gardens, a huge pond and a fantastic playground, fenced off from boiling mud pools and thermal activity in the centre of Rotorua. The Rotorua Tree Trust, overlooking the city, has avenues of different types of trees and is a sight to behold in spring with native birds flocking to the flowering trees. There are many great parks and reserves around the Rotorua area like the Government Gardens, Kuirau Park, the Rotorua Tree Trust and the Redwoods. The towering Redwoods are a must-see and a great walk – six hectares of stunning Californian Coast Redwoods over 110 years old and nearly 70m tall. They are the gateway to longer walks through a variety of several other exotic tree species that make up The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest. Lush native bush areas surround many of our streams, lakes and parks. It is no wonder that Rotorua has won the most beautiful city award so many times. In spring you will be amazed by the thousands of tulips planted in the traffic islands, roundabouts and gardens in Rotorua. The Government Gardens house the picture postcard Museum and colourful surrounding gardens. Rotorua Festival of Gardens In late spring every two years Rotorua hosts its two-day Festival of Gardens, featuring visits to 35-40 gardens in the district – urban and rural, large and small. This popular event, organised by Rotorua District Garden Festival Incorporated to raise funds for community organisations, combines tourism and a love of gardening. Among the gardens that have featured in the Festival are: A Anna and Keith Garratt, Woodleyhill, Dansey Road Nine Betula Jacqmintii lead visitors to the expansive lawns. The surrounding borde borders feature colourful rhododendrons, perennials onds, making this thi a perfect place for a restorative picnic. and ponds, The Garden Art Gallery of Graeme and Jeanette Blackburn, Lynmore, is a fully landscaped garden full of colour. There are hostas, rhododendrons, old roses, perennials and specimen trees divided into two rooms. Two exclusive art galleries feature original paintings on sale from international artist Jeanette Blackburn. Rhodohill Nursery, Dave and Alisa Stewart, 569 Paradise Valley Road Paths meander through this stunning garden which features mature rhododendrons, maples, azaleas and cherries. A laburnum arbour is a special feature. A comprehensive nursery is attached. 18 AFT DR LY ON reason 3 central location modern infrastructure and FOR MORE INFORMATION: rotoruaNZ.com 19 rotorua-airport.co.nz rdc.govt.nz baybus.co.nz/regions/rotorua intercity.co.nz AFT DR LY ON ACCESSIBLE AND CONNECTED Rotorua’s convenient size, its strategic Central North Island location, international airport and a high quality road network built to serve an extra 8000-10,000 users a day make the city one of the most accessible in New Zealand. The great majority of residents live 10 minutes from anywhere else in Rotorua – friends, schools, medical and dental services, downtown or suburban shops, cafes, visitor attractions, parks and playing fields, even the airport. Rotorua’s Central Business District (CBD) is located on the shores of Lake Rotorua surrounded by world class visitor activities, attractions, accommodation and conference venues. Rotorua District Council along with local iwi have invested significantly to upgrade the CBD. 100+ THINGS TO DO The CBD offers free wi-fi hotspots connected to fibre for ultra-fast broadband. Parking is cheap and plentiful, traffic flows easily and public buses service many suburbs including discounts for tertiary students. For businesses, all the major transport companies operate in Rotorua, with domestic and international freight services available through such companies as Mainfreight’s local office. Heavy transport is a vital part of Rotorua’s economy, serving production sectors such as forestry and farming. The Port of Tauranga is the largest export port in New Zealand and is less than an hour’s drive away. The combination of freight and tourism means Rotorua lies at the centre of a network of high quality main roads that make it an important hub – Rotorua is only 60km south of Tauranga, 80km north of Taupo, 105km east of Hamilton and 230km southeast of Auckland, making it within three hours drive of 50% of New Zealand’s population. 20 AFT DR LY ON reason 4 strong support FOR MORE INFORMATION: 21 rotoruaNZ.com cab.org.nz ssnz.govt.nz raph.org.nz lakesdhb.govt.nz parentingcentral.co.nz educationcounts.govt.nz schoolzones.co.nz nsrotorua.info rotorualibrary.govt.nz y.g .gov ovt. t.nz nz rdc-aquatic.co.nz uatic. c co co.nzz talentid.co.nz ent n idd.co. o nz AFT DR LY ON EDUCATION SERVICES Rotorua is well served by educational institutions from early childhood through to tertiary, providing quality learning, cultural and sporting pursuits. EDUCATION There are more than 80 licensed early childhood services providing an early start to formal education for more than 3,400 Rotorua children annually. Rotorua district has 47 schools; 15 full primary schools (including two catholic schools and a private Christian school), three intermediate/middle schools, four kura kaupapa Maori, 18 contributing schools and seven secondary schools (including four co-educational and two same-sex, five state schools and one Catholic). The district also has a specialist school, a teen parent unit, a Montessori unit and a Rudolf Steiner school. Rotorua boasts New Zealand’s only trilingual Maori, Spanish and English speaking school and is a leader in Chinese language and culture learning programmes. Rotorua’s central location also provides easy access to private secondary schools in Tauranga, Cambridge, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay and Auckland. Rotorua has 21 tertiary providers including private training establishments. Waiariki (WIT) is Rotorua’s largest tertiary provider followed by Te Wananga o Aotearoa. related timber applications. Waiariki Academy of Sport aims to develop young, talented athletes to their potential while they also gain a tertiary qualification. Academy staff work with the athletes, their coaches and their mentors to provide complete support through training and competition. Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music students are supported and mentored by staff who are experienced in working with singers and musicians and are held in high regard in the music industry. The academy hosts a band, quartet, a kapa haka team and a choir, and provides performance opportunities to help students build their music portfolio. Students now have the opportunity of full time study towards two music qualifications in Contemporary Music Performance at levels 4 and 5. Waiariki Institute of Technology Waiariki offers an extensive list of qualifications and has particular strengths in hospitality and tourism, forestry, geothermal, nursing and agriculture. The Waiariki National Centre of Excellence for the Forest and Wood Industry built on Mokoia Campus in 2008, supports courses associated with the forestry and timber industries. It includes a computer suite featuing specialist software and technology relating to forest mapping, forest operations and TESTIMONIAL - ALASTAIR JOHNSON Alastair Johnson, Head Coach at Swim Rotorua, moved to the United Kingdom from New Zealand when he got his big break 10 years ago as the National Youth Swim Coach for Scotland. But he and his family wanted to come back to New Zealand, and he saw the Swim Rotorua role as a perfect opportunity to be involved in a relatively new programme that had heaps of potential to improve. So how’s it going after a few months? “Fantastic! I am loving it here. My work is going extremely well. The club is growing very quickly and we are improving every month. I am very fortunate to work with so many great people who are very supportive and who all take the long term view. Success always takes time, but our goal is to build a swim club that the whole city is immensely proud of. “My family are really enjoying it too. My wife has just started her nursing degree at Waiariki whilst my two children are thriving at John Paul College. “I sincerely believe that Rotorua is New Zealand’s best kept secret. It’s obviously a great tourist hot spot, particularly with the geothermal and Maori attractions, but to me it is much bigger and better than that. The compact city with great amenities, a place where people can do business, the lifestyle afforded by the awesome forests and lakes, and of course the friendly locals, all add up to a truly special place”. 22 AFT DR LY ON HEALTH SERVICES Rotorua has a recently upgraded public hospital with extensive secondary services and specialties, including an Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, surgical and orthopaedic units, a Coronary Care Unit and medical unit. In addition, Rotorua Hospital and several private hospitals have a range of special services not usually seen in a district of Rotorua’s size. These include: • A fully equipped renal dialysis unit at Rotorua Hospital • Private provider QE Health offers a unique rehabilitation service for patients with chronic pain and disability, dealing with rheumatology, post-polio syndrome, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling and education, vocational and home based rehabilitation, orthotics, orthopaedics, balneotherapy and research. • A 32-bed private surgical hospital, Southern Cross QE, with high-tech operating theatres and a range of new clinical facilities for medical specialists and their patients. • The privately owned Rotorua Eye Clinic has three specialist eye surgeons who consult on all aspects of ophthalmology Primary Care Sixteen general medical practices provide front-line care It is relatively easy to enrol with a GP. Most practices are members of Health Rotorua Primary Health Organisation, which subsidises a range of doctor visits and other services for the 71,000 enrolled patients in the district. Lakes Primecare provides after hours care and some emergency care services. Owned by a group of Rotorua general practitioners and staffed by a roster of local GPs, the centre provides services seven days a week for residents and visitors. St John Ambulance has a strong presence in Rotorua, providing ambulance services and first aid and emergency care services at key community events. Other health services include nutrition services, speech services, mental health services and sexual health services. 23 specialist care including consultations, ophthalmic surgery, laser procedures and ACC cases. • Rotorua Hospital’s Radiology Department DHB is one of the few public departments in New Zealand that holds IANZ accreditation. Rotorua Hospital also has an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine, made possible by the generosity of the Rotorua Trust. In addition, two private radiology providers in Rotorua offer a range of speciality radiology services, giving patients a choice of provider. • The Rotorua Trust chemotherapy day unit at Rotorua Hospital for cancer patients. • The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter covers Rotorua and the surrounding Bay of Plenty region and sometimes areas well beyond. The service is supported by strong community fundraising and volunteers. AFT DR LY ON COMMUNITY FACILITIES Rotorua’s built facilities are exceptional and are some of the best in New Zealand. 4000 in theatre style. Exhibitions or trade shows with up to 500 booths can be staged by using the whole complex. The Rotorua Museum of Art and History has by far the largest number of visitors of any museum outside the four major cities, and has recently been expanded, refurbished and modernised to broaden its appeal still further. The city has another five substantial, dedicated conference and event centres, including the downtown Convention Centre, Novotel Rotorua, Millennium Hotel, Distinction Hotel and Holiday Inn Rotorua, plus a number of smaller venues. The Museum in the Government Gardens is consistently in the running for the title of most photographed urban scene in New Zealand. The Rotorua Girls High School Arena is also suitable for medium-sized conferences and a wide range of business and community events. It’s fine if you’re having up to 350 round for dinner. The Blue Baths. The 1930s Spanish Mission-style Blue Baths are described by the NZ Historic Places Trust as a building of national and international significance both for its association with the history of tourism and for its rarity as a building type. The building has been restored to its unique 1930s ambience and operates as a private function facility. The Convention Centre includes the Civic Theatre, recently refurbished with new stage facilities, and the Concert Chamber. The Energy Events Centre is the newest major building in Rotorua and one of the half dozen biggest conference and events centres in New Zealand. The centre has four multi-purpose function spaces and a further six break-out rooms. One of its larger rooms can accommodate 2600 delegates for a seated banquet or One of the big advantages of Rotorua is how quickly residents and visitors can get to so many of its facilities. Ten minutes from the CBD, with extensive parking for big events, is the Rotorua International Stadium with seating for 30,000 or standing room for up to 60,000. The Rotorua Aquatic Centre has conference facilities, heated 50-metre outdoor pool, indoor and outdoor spa pools, learners’ pool, fun pool, splash pad, picnic areas and playground. Rotorua International Airport Underpinning much of the visitor-driven extra facilities is Rotorua International Airport, 10 minutes drive from the CBD. The airport has daily flights to main centres in New Zealand, plus several flights a week to Sydney to link with the major South Pacific hub for international travel. Rotorua Public Library, established in 1889. The library is an important repository of local history, including a rich store of Maori history. It reflects the Rotorua culture and the diversity of the community with special collections of New Zealand, Maori and Polynesian history, matched with information and books in other European, Asian and Pacific languages. It plays an important role in improving the standard and quality of life for residents by providing a means for lifelong learning, independent decisionmaking and cultural development. 24 AFT DR LY ON EXPERTISE IN SCIENCE Rotorua’s unique position at the heart of New Zealand’s forest industry makes it an important, world-class centre for fundamental and applied research and development. Clustered around Scion, the only Crown Research Institute (CRI) based outside a major city, are a group of smaller research organisations working on specific forestry and environmental programmes, often in conjunction with the CRI. For almost 70 years, Scion has provided the science behind one of the most productive plantation forest industries in the world. Scion’s purpose is to drive innovation and growth from New Zealand’s forestry, wood product and woodderived materials and other bio-material sectors, to create economic value and contribute to beneficial environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand. Scion is becoming increasingly known for its work on bio-fuels, bio-plastics and other bio-materials. Current projects include TERAXTM, a world leading system of technology to convert municipal sewage and waste water into energy and useful products, as well as slashing the amount of solids going to landfills from sewage treatment plants. Formally known as Waste-2-Gold, TERAXTM is based on principles and knowledge developed from treating waste from pulp mills. Scion’s expertise in tree improvement and tissue culture has supported a cluster of local businesses dedicated to conifer breeding and propagation. From Timberlands Tree Nursery to specialised producers like Forest Genetics Ltd, Radiata Pine Breeding Company and Plant Protection Chemistry NZ, these businesses draw on technologies and knowledge that connect with Scion through research programmes or through the experience of former staff members. SUCCESS STORY - SCION Scion is a Crown Research Institute dedicated to improving the international competitiveness of the New Zealand forest industry and building a stronger bio-based economy. The only major CRI based outside New Zealand’s main centres, Scion has 320 staff in Rotorua. • Forestry research was established in Rotorua with an experimental station in 1947, so there is a rich legacy from the development of trial plots, specialist infrastructure and industry linkages in the region. • There is a strong concentration of the forest industry in Rotorua and nearby districts. • Rotorua provides an attractive physical environment for staff. It is centrally located, has sound transport links to major centres and, for those with outdoor interests, a huge array of things to do. • Scion sees strong potential for further strategic alignment and integration with the district and regional economic development plans, particularly in water quality, geothermal and core forestry practice. 25 Future Forests Research Ltd aggregates forest industry and government research funding to commission and manage a wide range of research into forest growing and management, new and existing commercial tree species, harvesting and logistics and environmental aspects. FFR also plays an important role in reporting back to its members and helping them to implement the benefits of research. The research carried out and commissioned in Rotorua is increasing New Zealand’s competitiveness and productivity, finding new and sustainable uses for natural fibres and chemicals and increasing understanding of cellular properties and influences of growth on wood quality. AFT DR LY ON OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES Rotorua and the surrounding district offers plenty of employment opportunities in a wide range of industries. A satisfying and productive work place coupled with balanced work-life integration ensures Rotorua residents have a quality lifestyle, leading to personal fulfilment, sense of purpose and genuine happiness. Tourism and Hospitality Tourism is the district’s largest employer with over 100 attractions including Maori cultural experiences, NZ wildlife and adventure pursuits. Leading tourism businesses include Te Puia, Skyline, Polynesian Spa, Agrodome and Agroventures. Rotorua also hosts large corporate and sporting events throughout the year. Supporting the vibrant tourism sector is Rotorua’s Hospitality Industry offering significant employment opportunities in customer service, cuisine, bar-tending and food services in several large hotels, quality restaurants and cafés. Agriculture and Forestry The main industry sectors of Forestry & Wood Processing and Agriculture are well established within the region and are excellently supported by a number of leading forestry companies including Red Stag Timber, Scion, Lockwood, PF Olsen, Peterson Sawmills, Tachikiwa, McAlpines, Claymark, Timberlands and Verda. Employment opportunities exist for manual and skilled workers including forestry workers, machine operators, mechanical engineers, management roles, technical and research positions and health and safety officers. Geothermal and Manufacturing Rotorua is well positioned to take advantage of geothermal energy. The industry is established with standards, stability and monitoring in place. Leading SOE NZ energy company Mighty River Power has relocated to Rotorua. Rotorua has an innovative, established Manufacturing industry with companies like Hayes International and Damar Industries offering employment for skilled workers. Business and Innovation Rotorua has an industrious, profitable and thriving business and retail community. Many of these small to medium organisations are truly innovative and compete globally. Rotorua Chamber of Commerce provides a professional network where business operators network, receive training and share resources. Rotorua District Council is committed to working collaboratively with public and private partners to grow the Rotorua Economy in line with the Rotorua Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy. Uniquely Maori Opportunities There are unique opportunities to work with local Te Arawa and other Maori tribe in tourism, geothermal, forestry, hospitality, the arts, health and education. Employment Services Rotorua works hard to ensure its residents and new arrivals can find work. They offer recruitment services and settlement support for newcomers to the region. tourism is a major employer 26 AFT DR LY ON BUSINESS DIVERSITY - EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Hayes International The Agrodome Mighty River Power PF Olsen Hayes International is a world leader in the design and manufacture of roll-forming machinery to produce roofing and wall cladding profiles, structural sections, long length power folding machines and associated metalworking equipment. The Agrodome is one of New Zealand’s most loved tourist attractions, established more than 40 years ago and highlighting the best of our country’s agriculture and horticulture with fun and informative activities. The Agrodome won the supreme award in Rotorua’s 2012 business awards. Mighty River Power is New Zealand’s only large, renewable dominated energy company with both hydro and geothermal generation. PF Olsen Group is a leading independent provider of forestry services in Australia and New Zealand, employing 104 staff in 15 centres. Damar Industries Polynesian Spa Rotorua District Council Red Stag Timber Damar Industries Ltd is a manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of coatings, chemicals and aerosols under its own brands and for customers. Damar produces more than 7,000,000 aerosol cans a year at its state-of-theart manufacturing centre. Polynesian Spa is a 100% New Zealand-owned private company operating for over forty years. It has developed a reputation as a world class must-do experience in Rotorua. Polynesian Spa employs 90 staff and the organisation’s focus on innovation and excellence in customer service has been recognised. Rotorua District Council is one of the top five employers in the district that offers a range of roles and career paths with senior management, operational and front line service positions across many fields including the regulatory, planning, building, engineering, I.S., scientific, finance, H.R., horticulture and tourism departments. Red Stag Timber is an independent, privately es drive owned timber company, only 10 minutes from the city. Approximately 260 staff are employed to meet the various operational and as a proud business skill requirements. Red Stag has ’s largest employers history of being one of Rotorua’s mmunity. and having a close-knit community. 27 AFT DR LY ON reason 5 passionate people FOR OR MO M MORE O INFORMATION: rotoruaNZ.com rro otooru ruaaN NZ. Z.co .coom newcomers.co.nz mer ers.co s.co s. co.n nz rdc.govt.nz ssnz.co.nz rotoruachamber.co.nz rro ottoor amb mbber er.co. o.nz nzz 28 AFT DR LY ON DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE Rotorua is a growing ethnic district with people from around 150 nationalities. Most residents of Rotorua (80%) are New Zealandborn. At any one time about 3% of residents are newcomers and 11% are longer term migrants. Many of the remainder are foreign students studying at Waiariki Institute of Technology or at one of language schools based in the city. More than a third of residents are Maori – about two-and a-half times the proportion of Maori in the New Zealand population. Over the past two Census periods the number of Rotorua people in the European ethnic group has fallen by more than 5000 to 38,076 in 2006 – not because they are leaving but because people in this group have classed themselves as New Zealanders rather than New Zealand Europeans. here and finding work that meets the criteria of the skilled migrant category. The largest ethnic groups after these are Pacific Island and Asian – though both represent a range of nationalities. Rotorua’s importance as an international tourist destination means that tourism and hospitality operators often need a range of language skills among their staff, especially Chinese and Korean. New settlers are served by a Settlement Support Coordinator at the Rotorua District Council and the Newcomers Network Coordinator for Multicultural Rotorua, plus job-hunting assistance through the New Kiwis online service run by Immigration NZ and the Chamber of Commerce. Education is also an important catalyst for ethnic diversity, with a number of private language schools in Rotorua as well as a range of courses at Waiariki Institute of Technology that are tailored for students from many parts of the world, particularly in the fields of forestry and health care. Up to half of the Chinese, Korean, Fijian, Tokelauan, Indian and Filipino newcomers living in Rotorua are in the student age group. Twenty percent of Waiariki’s students are from overseas. About a dozen formal national groups run regular events, and many more ethnic communities get together informally for social, sporting, festivals, cultural and religious activities. Over the next few years Waiariki will look to diversify its international market base in Latin America, North America, South East Asia and the Middle East, offering higher level qualifications like post-graduate studies. The largest proportions of newcomers have for many years been those born in England (21%), Australia (11%) and South Africa (9%). They all joined sizeable longer term migrant communities of people who were born in those countries. Waiariki is also developing opportunities to establish partnerships with overseas institutes which would see students completing one or two years of study toward a qualification in their home country and the final one or two years in Rotorua. Rotorua employers are very receptive to employing international students. In recent years the number of newcomers from England and other UK countries has decreased and the number of Indian migrants has risen due to international students from India completing studies Rotorua is a growing multi-cultural district 72% These figures add to more than 100% because people may classify themselves as more than one cultural group. 29 36% 4% 3% European Maori Pacific Islands Asian TESTIMONIAL - ALADINA HARUNANI Aladina Harunani, Director of APA Architects, came to New Zealand from Kenya as a student in 1989 and worked as an architect, project manager and design manager in Auckland for 17 years. From the early 90s he enjoyed Rotorua as a holiday destination. After he and his wife began to think about raising their children somewhere “in a quieter place”, he accepted a job offer because he saw potential for development and an opportunity to contribute to the city’s growth – as well as a great place to relax. Through APA, Aladina has involved himself in community and iwi projects that have become flagship features on the firm’s website, www.apaarchitect.co.nz. “Here I can talk to anyone – the Mayor, the local MP – and the district is open to involvement in community matters, as well as having the lifestyle. “My wife has a shop in the CBD. The kids are all in good schools – that’s a major element for us. We are very happy with our lifestyle in Rotorua.” AFT DR LY ON KEEPING RESIDENTS SAFE Every year Rotorua’s District Council conducts a survey to find out how safe people feel. In 2011 just over 85% said Rotorua is definitely or mostly a safe place to live. More than 90% of respondents said they felt safe at home and in their neighbourhood during the day, and 88% felt safe or very safe in their homes at night. Policing plays an important role in perceptions and the reality of safety. Proactive policing has seen significant reductions in most categories of crime, according to the latest statistics for the district. Particularly significant have been falling rates of violent crime. police foot patrols, a 27-camera CCTV system, mostly in the CBD but also covering favourite tourist spots such as the lakefront and Government Gardens, plus a mobile unit and fixed cameras at the Redwoods forest parking area (popular with local and visiting walkers) and Okere Falls parking area. In addition Rotorua has introduced its City Safe Guardians Project, using five fulltime guardians in the CBD and nearby reserves as extra eyes and ears for the Police, businesses and the Council. New Zealand Police and the District Council have combined to develop a range of measures to keep Rotorua’s citizens safe. The City Safe Guardians report potential or actual behaviour problems to the Police, work with businesses to report crime, report and ensure that vandalism and graffiti can be dealt with promptly and answer questions from locals and visitors, with maps and brochures to distribute. Recent developments include the formation of a Neighbourhood Policing Unit to work with residents in areas experiencing particular problems. The initiative aims to prevent crime rather than react to events. Their aim is not only to reduce problems, but to continue improving perceptions of safety, ensuring that locals and visitors feel the Rotorua CBD is a safe place to visit and shop. Citizen-based Neighbourhood Support, working with police, has 585 active groups in the district, with representation in every suburb. Its success can be measured by its achievement in winning the overall award in the 2011 Rotorua TrustPower Community Awards. Media reports can sometimes link Rotorua with major criminal trials, but this is affected by the fact that the city is home to the High Court jurisdiction that deals with serious charges arising throughout the entire Bay of Plenty and some nearby areas. Safety and security in the central business district is tackled through visible 85% is a say Rotorua safe place 30 AFT DR LY ON CONTACT US If you would like more information about living or working in Rotorua, contact: Settlement Support Rotorua: A: 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua, 3010, NZ P: +64 7 351 7054 E: ssnzrotorua@rdc.govt.nz W: rotoruaNZ.com Rotorua District Council: A: 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua 3010, NZ P: +64 7 348 4199 E: mail@rdc.govt.nz W: rotoruaNZ.com Rotorua Chamber of Commerce: A: 1209 Hinemaru St, PO Box 385, Rotorua, NZ P: +64 7 349 8365 E: ceo@rotoruachamber.co.nz W: rotoruachamber.co.nz CYCLING TRAIL TO NGONGOTAHA AQUATIC CENTRE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS KUIRAU PARK TOILETS TOILETS ROTORUA PUBLIC HOSPITAL OHINEMUTU AMOHIA STREET TUTANEKAI STREET SHOPPING TOILETS NZ POST OFFICE LIBRARY T DINING FR ON BOUTIQUE TOILETS AREA KE TOILETS TOILETS LA LARGE RETAIL ARAWA STREET This document was largely prepared by Zeal Communication, with information contributed by Roger Gordon, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce; Sue Wilkie, Lakes District Health Board; Brent Crowe, NZ Police; Kathy Hawker; Damien Radesic, Wayne Werder, Sport Bay of Plenty; Phil Hereford, Professionals Real Estate; Mel Short; Russell Dale, Future Forests Research; Kiri Jarden, Nick Dallimore, Rotorua District Council; Darryl Pierce; Don Atkinson; Margriet Theron; Kay Clark; Kellie Hamlett and Julia Charity. LAKE ROTORUA TOILETS Testimonials & Success Stories Murray Fleming, Event Promotions; Prabha Ravi, Waiariki Institute of Technology; Alastair Johnson, Swim Rotorua; Claire Barratt-Wood; Mike Firth; Aladina Harunani, APA Architects; Brent Park, Volcanic Hills Winery; Alastair Gatt, East Brewster Lawyers. POLICE SUPERMARKETS ROTORUA ROTORUA DISTRICT DISTRICTCOUNCIL COUNCIL TE ARA AHI Go Thermal by Bike NZ National Cycle Trail GOVERNMENT GARDENS www.rotoruaNZ.com TOILETS N Graphs, Images and Other Information Destination Rotorua Marketing; Huang Wei; Pig & Whistle; Red Stag Timber. MUSEUM CYCLING TRAIL TO REDWOODS 31 ROTORUA CHAMBER ROTORUA CONVENTION CENTRE ROTORUA ENERGY EVENTS CENTRE AFT DR LY ON Our spirit of opportunity www.rotoruaNZ.com PUBLISHED: AUGUST 2013 33