Issue 9 - Rotorua

Rotorua, NZ’s coolest hot spot
Heart of the City NEWS
rotoruanz.com
Sep/Oct 2014 - Issue 9
Kia ora
Welcome to the ninth edition of Heart of the City NEWS.
Rotorua is blessed with stunning cycle trails. Mountain
bikers, road riders and multi-sporters flock to Rotorua from
all over New Zealand and around the world to ride in our
forests and on our roads. Now that we are connected to
the national cycle way by Te Ara Ahi, Rotorua has become
an important destination for all cycle adventurers touring
our beautiful country. Every cycling magazine from around
the world will at some stage have published an article
about cycling in New Zealand.
About five years ago a small group of keen cyclists got together aiming to make
cycling an accepted form of transport around town. Have you ever thought about
riding your bike to work? Or riding to town on a balmy summer’s afternoon to catch
up with friends? Or even allowing your children to ride to school? Rotorua Cycle
Action (RCA) was formed with the aim of providing a platform where the public and
the council could interact and provide solutions for safe cycle facilities in future
projects. Our initial focus has been on safe cycling routes to schools and linkages
through the city, including input into safer street design.
In partnership with the Rotorua District council RCA has drawn up a view on how the
city centre could benefit from cycle and pedestrian access leading onto our main
promenade Tutanekai Street. Currently we have cycleways entering our inner city
from all angles but they do not link up, and cycle amenities inside the inner city are
still lacking. RCA has devised a plan to link these cycleways and make the inner city a
destination - a place to visit and spend time.
The diagram below provides a draft concept connecting from Kuirau Park via
Haupapa Street to Tutanekai Street (for people visiting from the West) and from
Sulphur Point via Hinemoa Street to City Focus (for people visiting from the East). This
creates an area between City Focus, Pukuatua and Haupapa intersections where
people can park their bikes and walk and enjoy the central spine of Tutanekai Street.
BE IN TO
WIN
See pg 8
Inside this issue
P2
• Vehicle access through City Focus to
be trialled
• Summer night market extension
• Mark these events in your diary
• Neighbourly launches in Rotorua
• News from your library
P3
• Opportunities to shine in 2015
• New crime reporting tool
• More Jake seats to be installed
P4
Pukuatua St
Fenton St
Tutanekai St
Amohia St
Ranolf St
Haupapa St
Hinemoa St
A key aim is to make Tutanekai Street the ‘heart and spine’ of the inner city. The concept
for the intersections would be to make them more pedestrian friendly, creating shared
spaces where all forms of propulsion can exist on an equal footing. These central
spaces would link Tutanekai Street together and create one long experience from
Rotorua Central to Eat Streat - shared by pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
The sketch is a concept of what we’re thinking and we welcome your feedback and
suggestions. You can talk to us on Facebook, or email [email protected].
Harm Zuidmeer, Rotorua Cycle Action Group
Heart of the City NEWS contributers: Dubzz Digital Marketing, Inner City Focus
Group, Neighbourly, Polynesian Spa, Rotorua Cycle Action Group, Rotorua Daily
Post, Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Police, Rotorua X, Rotorua Yarnbomb Group,
Running Events, Sport BOP, Waiariki Institute of Technology.
• Government Gardens campervan
parking available
• Waiariki helping to create temporary
art garden displays
• Sport BOP - ‘active’ & ‘outdoors’
• SmartFutures to improve inner city
decision-making
• Watch this wall
• Police proud of new premises
P5
•
•
•
•
P6
• Dubzz Digital Marketing moves in
• New businesses
P7
• Hot topics for review - have your say
P8
Hi-Tec Rotorua Ekiden
New luxury mineral pool
Yarnbombs adding brightness
High approval of council inner city
facilities and services
• Help make Rotorua the most
spectacular city this Christmas
• Key contacts for Heart of the City
• Keep Rotorua beautiful
• How you can support two coming
events
• Interested in being involved with
TRENZ 2015?
• BE IN TO WIN
• Yarnbomb workshops
Insert - What’s on calendar
General updates
Heart of the City NEWS
- September/October
2014
Heart
of the City NEWS - November
20132
rotoruanz.com
Vehicle access through City Focus to be
trialled
Mark these events in
your diary
The Inner City Focus Group is to trial slow moving vehicle access straight
through Tutanekai and Hinemoa streets. Part of the City Focus will be
opened to traffic by dropping the removable bollards and installing low
planter boxes to direct traffic. The trial will begin in October and during this
time people can provide their feedback via the online Inner City Ideas Bank
(rdc.govt.nz) or to the Inner City Focus Group by emailing
[email protected]
Inner city businesses are being
encouraged to join in and help make the
inner city look and feel attractive and
vibrant leading up to Christmas:
Summer night market expansion planned
The Thursday Night Market is popular for locals and visitors and interest
from new stall holders is growing. One of the recommendations from
celebrity chef and restaurateur, Ray McVinnie, was to expand the Night
Market. Starting in November, the night market will extend with a mobile
food truck area on the Haupapa Street reserve providing opportunities
for more craft-type displays in the existing space. The library is also open
late on a Thursday so the extension will add vibrancy to this area while the
summer days are longer. A trial over the summer period will determine
whether this becomes an annual summer feature.
Brigitte Nelson, Rotorua Night Market Manager
Tulip Fest Rotorua, 26 - 28 Sep 2014
The inner city will be adorned with even
more stunning tulips this year. A tulip
walking trail is being created as well
as interactive activities at Te Runanga
Tearooms and The Arts Village over the
weekend.
SCRUB DAY, 1 Nov 2014
Building owners, property managers and
tenants will again freshen-up and tidy their
premises, with opportunities for residents
and visitors to plant flowers and generally
spruce-up the inner city
Light Rotorua campaign, begins 6 Nov 14
A competition will be run as part of the
campaign where retailers who have the
best light display will receive prizes. To
help there will be workshops leading up
to the day.
Inner City pop-up shop 1 Nov 14 - 9 Jan 15
Neighbourly website launches in Rotorua
Neighbourly is a new free and privately owned website developed to
foster interaction and conversation between neighbours and community
organisations. You can use Neighbourly to:
• Find and recommend
trustworthy local services
such as babysitters, builders
and restaurants;
• Report suspicious activity,
share traffic updates, discuss
local crime and send/receive
urgent alerts for emergency
situations;
• Organise neighbourhood
events, such as garage sales and street barbeques;
• Find lost pets or locate owners of regular furry visitors;
• Sell, give away, borrow and loan items;
• Create common interest and street groups; and
• Connect with local organisations and get to know your neighbours
Neighbourly also offers crime prevention and emergency planning tools for
members within its communities ­including a free urgent crime and safety
feature for those who have signed up for text alerts to be sent to their mobile
phone. Many groups and individuals have already joined so we encourage
you to check it out for yourself. Visit neighbourly.co.nz
Run by the Inner City Focus Group, this will
be an opportunity to see proposed plans
and projects. Contribute your thoughts and
ideas to help create a vibrant city heart that
attracts people and activity. The pop-up
shop will be at 1233 Tutanekai Street.
To find out more phone 07 351 7057 or
email [email protected]
News from your library
Free internet services
As part of a national programme, 20
computers have been supplied at no
cost for library members and visitors to
access the internet free of charge.
New opening hours
Mon-Wed9.30am-6pm
Thu 9.30am-8pm
Fri 9.30am-6pm
Sat 9.30am-4pm
To find out more about what’s
happening at your library visit
rotorualibrary.govt.nz
General updates
Heart of the City NEWS
- September/October
2014
Heart
Heart
ofofthe
theCity
CityNEWS
NEWS- -November
November
2013
20133
rotoruanz.com
Opportunities for the inner city to shine in 2015
Next year could see many
businesses enjoying their
best trading year ever with an
impressive line-up of existing
and major new events on
the horizon. Here are some
suggestions or tips to attract
repeat and new visitors
through your doors:
• Register your business
for free online. Visit
rotoruaNZ.com/register;
• Come up with some
‘value added’ products
or services that can be
promoted online. Tailor
the offer to suit each
event. This service is free
through rotoruaNZ.com;
Major events from Jan – May 2015:
January
February
Rotorua GLO Festival •
Blue Lake Rowing Regatta •
NZ Sevens •
Northern IPS Touch Tournament •
• Lakeside
March
NZ Ironman •
Rotorua Offroad Half Marathon •
National Secondary Schools •
Waka Ama
100K Flyer •
Crankworx •
• Know what events are
coming up so you can
encourage visitors to
return;
April
• Provide consistently
outstanding hospitality
and service;
• Theme your store or
office to link with each
event and it’s participants;
• Join forces with other
businesses to theme your
street and stand out;
May
• Xterra
TRENZ •
(New Zealand Tourism industry’s
largest expo)
• Get in touch with local
event organisers to see
how you can get involved.
3D Rotorua •
To keep ahead of what’s going on check out the event listings page on rotoruaNZ.com.
New crime reporting tool for
inner city businesses
From the first week in September, our City Safe Guardians
team will be distributing a free crime reporting tool. The
wall-mounted flip-chart encourages reporting of crime
and suspicious behaviour to the Rotorua Police, and
provides crime prevention tips and advice on what to do
if a crime occurs. It also includes information on when to
call other crime prevention and safety agencies, such as
Neighbourhood Support and the City Safe Guardians team.
The new resource was developed as a collaborative
project by Rotorua Police, Neighbourhood Support, the
Inner City Focus Group and Rotorua District Council.
To encourage familiarity with the information included in
the resource there is a week-long quiz offering cash prizes.
Entries can be emailed to [email protected] or placed
into the entry box at City Focus.
Additional copies of the new crime reporting resource are
available for inner city businesses from City Focus.
More Jake seats to be installed
Six more seats, designed by young local designer Jake Krebs,
are to be installed this month. Four of these seats have been
generously sponsored by The Holmes Group, TPB Properties
and Neighbourly Ltd. The seats will be installed by the end of
October on the Pukuatua/Tutanekai intersection and Eat Streat
as requested by the donors. If you would like to sponsor a seat
email [email protected]
General updates
Heart of the City NEWS
- September/October
2014
Heart
of the City NEWS - November
20134
Government Gardens campervan
parking available
Daytime parking for campervans and motorhomes is being made
available near the recently upgraded Sulphur Lake area and is
accessed off Hinemoa Street. Signs will be installed by the end of
September and then promoted through various tourism channels.
This area offers ideal daytime parking and within easy walking
distance of the heart of the city.
rotoruanz.com
Waiariki helping to create
temporary art garden
displays in City Focus
Waiariki engineering and carpentry students are
working on a garden installation to enhance City
Focus. The temporary garden will complement the
removal of some existing seating to draw visitors
and improve the look and feel of the space. The
new look will be finished by the end of October.
Sport Bay of Plenty
encourages getting ‘active’
and ‘outdoors’
Our office is located on
1189 Amohia St and we’ve
coordinated a variety of fun
activities over the next two
month. September’s theme
is ‘activate’ and October
is ‘outdoors’. This is about
encouraging people to be
more active, more often with
activities that are either free
or low cost. Inner city activity
includes rock climbing at The
Wall for only a $1 per climb.
You can pick up a calendar
from the office or download a
copy from
sportbop.co.nz/playinthebay
SmartFutures to improve inner city
decision-making
If you undertake qualitative or quantitative research or you
purchase reports about Rotorua’s people, business, infrastructure
and or environment, then Rotorua District Council would like to
hear from you.
SmartFutures is a one-version-of-the-truth tool to help businesses,
community groups, residents and councils make informed
decisions to help create a positive tomorrow. Workshops will be
held where you’ll be able to find out more. Register your interest
by emailing [email protected] or phone 07 351 8021.
Police proud of new premises
Rotorua Police are extremely proud and excited about their new
police station. The building’s official opening was an emotional
and moving event, reflecting the unique diversity of the Rotorua
community.
It is the first police station in New Zealand to be given a name. After
discussions with Te Arawa leaders about the vision of the new
station they graciously offered the name -’Te Amo Whakaruruhau’
Amo is an abbreviation for Amorangi, which means to carry on and
take up; or peacemaker and leader. Whakaruruhau means shelter,
cover or protect. So the name of the new station is a wonderful
expression of the role that police perform in our community as
leaders in helping make people safe.
Denton Grimes, Senior Sergeant, Rotorua Police
To feature your activity in future Play in the Bay
calendars phone me on 07 348 4125.
Melissa Gordon, Recreation Advisor, Sport BOP
Watch this wall
KFC invited local artisans to present concepts
reflecting our community, heritage or environment
that could look fantastic on the large Amohau
Street wall, facing the KFC carpark. The winning
concept will be announced in September with
artwork finished by November.
Inner city success
Hi-Tec Rotorua Ekiden
growing each year
This October is Ekiden’s 12th year and it’s expected
to attract over 1500 runners and walkers. Outside of
local entrants, Ekiden’s top three domestic sources are
Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. The Village Green
is seen by the organisers as the perfect place to start
and finish as it offers a stunning setting, is centrally
located, shops and amenities are nearby, and the
Lakefront is a safe place for entrants to use as a base.
Ekiden is a fun event - a
challenging run or walk and a
great day out with your team
mates or friends and family!
Date: Sat 11 Oct 2014,
Time: 8am–3pm For more information visit
ekiden.co.nz
Heart of the City NEWS - September/October 2014
rotoruanz.com
New luxury mineral pool
Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa has opened a new mineral
pool in its Deluxe Lake Spa meaning guests now have
access to both renowned acidic and alkaline mineral
waters for ultimate bathing wellness. Acidic mineral
water is sourced from the Priest Spring and is popular
because it relieves tired muscles, aches and pains.
Alkaline water is from the Rachael Spring and features
the antiseptic qualities of sodium silicate which
nourishes the skin. The combination of these two types
of mineral waters is only found at Polynesian Spa.
The new mineral pool is tucked away in its own
privately landscaped area, complete with a water
feature wall and overlooking the Sulphur Bay Wildlife
Reserve and Lake Rotorua - it’s the perfect spot to
wind down before a spa therapy.
Simone de Jong, Sales and Marketing Manager,
Polynesian Spa
Yarnbombs adding
brightness with more to come
The success of The Arts Village’s colourfully
decorated tree has inspired more yarnbombs in the
city including:
High approval of council
inner city facilities and
services
• 12 bollards at City Focus
Rotorua residents were recently surveyed by
independent research company National Research
Bureau (NRB) and the results included a big jump
in approval of city parking. Last year 68 per cent of
residents approved of parking facilities but this year
the figure has shot up to 83 per cent. The survey was
conducted after the introduction of Rotorua’s new
parking regime in the inner city, including free twohour parking in central city locations.
Future yarnbomb projects include
Satisfaction levels recorded include:
•
Beautification and landscaping (95%),
•
City cleanliness and appearance (93%),
•
Parks, reserves and playgrounds (88%),
•
Tourism and events promotion (85%),
•
Parking (83%),
•
Library (81%)
•
Museum (80%)
To view the full report visit rdc.govt.nz
• Picnic Café’s little tree; and
• Cottage Flair’s tree, carpark sign, street sign
and seat railing
• Tulip Festival Floral Wall:
Planned for completion by Friday 26
September, and cascading down from the
old Westpac building at City Focus. The floral
wall will feature green and earth coloured
knitted squares with tulips
• Poppies for Anzac 2015:
The Rotorua Museum team is planning
a special yarnbomb poppies installation
as part of the World War One 100th year
commemorations. This project will begin in
early October.
If you would like to get involved email me at
[email protected] or phone 0274 896 522
Annette Bates, Coordinator, Rotorua Yarn
Bombers
5
Inner city success
6
Heart of the City NEWS - September/October 2014
rotoruanz.com
Dubzz Digital Marketing moves in
New businesses
The Heart of the City welcomes
1
2
Dubzz Digital Marketing
1304 Ranolf St (opposite Spot Light).
3
La Porta Verde (Gift store)
1147 Pukuatua St (next to Be Rude Not To)
HINE
O RU
A CE
Rachel Warrender, Director, Dubzz Digital Marketing
NTR
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ST
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3HAUPAP
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1
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TUTA
PUK
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WA
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The new space has been fantastic, with our clients
now popping in to visit us much more frequently. It
enables us to build better relationships with both our
existing customers and potential new customers who
pop in to see what we do and find out how we may be
able to help them. Our team has enjoyed taking ownership
of the space.
ARA
AKI
K AU
FEN
2. How are you enjoying your new space?
2
AMO
After working out of a home-based office, we relocated
as we needed more room for the business to grow. We
chose the inner city as we’re passionate about seeing
it thrive. Our location on Ranolf Street is at a hightraffic intersection with the aim of increasing brand
awareness of Dubzz Digital Marketing.
WHA
PUK
HIA
R AN
1. Why did you move?
ST
OLF
ST
R AN
GIUR
EAT S
TREA
T
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Now Rotorua (IT business)
1237 Haupapa St (next to Redspot Creative
Solutions and Flair Marketing)
M OA
ER A
ST
ST
AMO
A L M H AU S T
ALL
Out and about highlights
TE N
GA E
Map Key:
RD
P120 ZONE. Free parking, maximum two hours*.
MAL
MIXED PARKING. Longer term paid and free parking*.
FRO
Y RD
* All areas still include Disabled, P15 and Loading Zone spaces.
TI ST
SED
CAR
GRE
DON
N OT
ST
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Photo supplied by Rotorua Daily Post
Daily
Photo supplied by Rotorua
Post
ST
Get involved
Heart of the City NEWS - September/October 2014
rotoruanz.com
Hot topics up for review – have your say
The Inner City Group is currently leading discussion on several hot topics and welcomes
your feedback to help make informed decisions for the good of our inner city.
Free P120 parking
This initiative was introduced in December last year and has proven to be popular
according to the 2014 National Research Bureau survey of residents’ perceptions. However
some retailers think the two hour period is too long so we are seeking your feedback:
1.
Should the current free P120 parking period be shortened?
No Yes If yes to what period? 60mins
30mins
Other
2.
Should free parking be extended to other areas of the inner city?
No Yes (If yes, where specifically?)
3.
Any additional comments regarding inner city parking?
SUBMIT YOUR
FEEDBACK
To give your feedback visit
rdc.govt.nz and click on the
‘Submit It’ button or email
[email protected] or
phone her on 351 7057.
Mike Steiner and Ron Finn,
Inner City Focus Group
Representatives
Inner city cycleway
As mentioned on the first page of this issue the Rotorua Action Group is working with the council to create a
designated cycle route in the inner city that links up with existing cycleways. It is hoped to have this in place
by March next year in time for Crankworx. The aim is to further enhance Rotorua’s growing reputation as New
Zealand’s cycling capital.
1.
Do you support the proposed cycleway in the inner city?
Yes No (explain why, or what you think would work better)
2.
Any additional comments about cycling in the inner city?
City Focus - shared access through Tutanekai and Hinemoa streets
In October this area will have undergone a refresh and a ‘shared access’ trial for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists would
have commenced. The aim of the upgrade and shared access trial is to improve visibility up and down the heart of the inner
city (Tutanekai Street) and to improve traffic and pedestrian flow. The area will still be able to be closed off for special events.
When this trial takes place the public will have the opportunity to provide their feedback.
7
Get involved
Heart of the City NEWS - September/October 2014
rotoruanz.com
Help make Rotorua the most spectacular
Christmas city
Brightening our shops and streets for Christmas is the aim of the Light Rotorua
campaign. Workshops for window dressing, potted Christmas trees, festive bunting
and brightly lit trees are all part of this project. This is another example of people
working together to help attract more people and activity into the heart of our city.
To join the action email [email protected]
Keeping Rotorua
and our inner city
beautiful
Imagine our city if all Rotorua residents
help take care of, and actively work
to restore, enhance and protect, our
environment. That’s the vision. Keep
New Zealand Beautiful Clean-up Week
takes place from 14 to 20 September
and Rose Hiha-Agnew is our local
coordinator. Phone Rose on 3484 199 or
email [email protected]
How you can support two coming events
There are many ways you can support iconic inner city events like Ekiden in
October and The Podium Podiatry & Footwear Running Festival in November.
1. You can participate – both events are perfect for team building;
2. You can allow posters to be displayed in your store or office; and
3. You can encourage entrants to buy your products and services through
incentives.
If you would like to support these events email Milly at milly.hemsley@
gmail.com or to find out more about either event visit ekiden.co.nz and
rotoruarunningfestival.co.nz
Interested in being
involved with
TRENZ 2015?
Key contacts for
Heart of the City:
Brigitte Nelson
Rotorua Night Market
P: 07 351 7057
E: [email protected]
Denton Grimes
Rotorua Police
E: [email protected]
Harm Zuidmeer
Rotorua Cycle Action Group
E: [email protected]
Heinz Fett
Raising the Bar Group
E: [email protected]
Karen Hunt
Councillor, RDC
P: 07 348 4199
E: [email protected]
Mike Steiner
Inner City Focus Group
E: [email protected]
Peter Riordan
Rotorua Police
E: [email protected]
Richard Horn
Inner City Supervisor RDC
P: 07 348 4199
E: [email protected]
BE IN TO WIN
We’re preparing to host what we
hope will be the most successful
TRENZ event ever when it returns
from 17 to 20 May next year.
Influential international travel and tourism movers and
shakers will get to experience the best our district has to offer. More than 1000
important visitors will stay in local accommodation and get to visit cafes, bars,
restaurants and shops during their free-time. The much sought-after rights to
host New Zealand’s largest annual tourism business event offers a massive
opportunity to enhance perceptions about Rotorua and to lift the city’s profile as
New Zealand’s premier family destination.
We’re inviting businesses, community groups and residents to get on board
with us and become ambassadors. Why? Tourism is a key economic driver
for growth and prosperity. So if our community can provide an unforgettable
experience for buyers and exhibitors, from the moment they arrive to when they
depart, Rotorua will achieve more visitors, longer stays, increased spend, new
businesses and greater employment choices. Phone Patrick on 07 348 4199
Patrick Dault, Trade Manager, Destination Rotorua Marketing
Thought for the month
Where did Ekiden originate from and
what does passing a 'tasuki' mean?
Email your answer to:
[email protected] and you
could win 4 x free entry fees for the 4k
community run - part of the Running
Festival this November
Yarnbomb workshops
for the Tulip Fest
Location: The Arts Village
Dates: Wed 3, 17, 24 Sep from 2-6pm.
Sun 14 Sep from 10am-2pm
Every client you keep, is one less that you need to find.
Nigel Sanders