Latest news with #TaniaTapsell
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- RNZ News
Rotorua police announce new team of six to start on CBD beat
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, area commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson, Senior Community Constable, Tony O'Keeffe (far right) along with other local officers at Rotorua police station Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod A Rotorua store owner says she has been threatened, broken into, and had food demanded of her but having police on the streets is making a big difference . Two community constables have been working with the Rotorua Council's City Safe Guardians to address retail crime and inner-city safety over recent years. Now police have announced a new team of six starting on the beat across the central business district. Rotorua area commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika said Police Commissioner Richard Chambers had been very clear that he wanted police to 'get back to basics.' "Having this team in our CBD provides a real face-to-face interaction with our retailers, with our community, and with our visitors," he said. The streets were reasonably quiet and shops not too busy on a wet cold day in Rotorua when RNZ joined police officers, Mayor Tania Tapsell and Police Minister Mark Mitchell to see exactly what this policing looked like. At Goldiluck Bakery, owner Renneth Thongly said she had faced a range of issues such as being threatened, broken into, and had food demanded of her. But she said Rotorua Senior Community Constable Tony O'Keeffe had given her good tips on how to remember and identify offenders, and she was able to contact him personally if she had concerns. "Don't take him away!" she told Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Goldiluck Bakery owner Renneth Thongly speaks with Police Minister Mark Mitchell about the effects of having police on the streets. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod The Toyworld on Tutanekai Street in Rotorua was robbed four times in just over a week recently. Three out of four of the offenders have been caught, and the store manager Mark Sherman agreed it was good to have the number of a local police officer he knew would be able to respond. "We can always call him and say 'hey, if you are in the area we've got someone here who has just left', and usually they can do something," he said. Toyworld owner Chris Fleming also owned a second store in the local mall and found using the online security platform Auror helpful. "The same people come to both stores and if we can share that information, it makes it more likely that we are going to be able to deal with it," he said. O'Keeffe said when he started a shift, he could look at who was offending around the streets. "Some of these offenders are targeting retailers' multiple times, they will go to several different shops in a day and they get emboldened," he said. O'Keeffe said in the case of the four thefts at Toyworld he was able to find the offenders throughout the week, and they are now before the courts. He said it could be quite disheartening to hear the stories from retailers. "The violence and threats towards their staff - that's probably the worse thing about it," he said. Sergeant Colin Peers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell joining local constables on the beat. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said it was great to be starting the six-officer beat team in Rotorua. He said a lot of work had already been done in recent years to improve safety in Rotorua. "With the Rotorua Lakes Council and Māori wardens we created a CBD safety plan that has already shown results for the people and businesses in our city. "Now we'll have a beat team to support this ongoing work to keep our residents, retailers, and businesses safe," he said. O'Keeffe said a lot of the theft was fuelled by offenders battling addiction. "[The goods are] a currency for methamphetamine and drugs more than anything else," he said. Anderson acknowledged that the city faced some complex issues which required a joint approach of agencies, iwi, and community groups working together to solve them. "For our part, we want to ensure everyone who comes into our city feels safe - whether they live here, work here, or are visiting," he said. Minister Mark Mitchell said beat officers had an important role in ensuring retailers and members of the public felt and are safe. "We know it makes a huge difference to our communities to see Police out on the streets. Not only does it make people feel safer, we know it discourages crime," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
17-06-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Rotorua Specialist School- Te Kura Pūkenga o Rotorua unveils refurbished building
It was a 'full circle moment' when Rotorua Specialist School–Te Kura Pūkenga o Rotorua officially opened its refurbished building. Staff, students and guests, including Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, attended the opening of the building- Tāne Whakapiri Tangata - on June 10. The space was purpose-built to support movement, learning, connection,
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Matariki in Rotorua: Drone show, dawn ceremony highlight celebrations
'Matariki was tied to the land, and those who occupied it initiated practices on how best to prepare. 'These traditions continue today, and all of these events in Rotorua help us connect through kai, kōrero, music and shared experience.' Keepa said it was a beautiful time to be in the city, and particularly special to be able to share traditions with new generations, cultures, locals and manuhiri (visitors). 'Together, we are creating a new legacy around Matariki.' The public holiday falls on June 20, but as Matariki is more than one day, Keepa gifted the name 'Matawiki' to Rotorua, to acknowledge a full wiki (week) of connection, remembrance and celebration. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said Rotorua was fast becoming the top destination to celebrate Matariki. 'We really made a mark last year with a drone show on our Lakefront and we can't wait to build on this for 2025. 'We're so grateful for the opportunity to support and promote all the incredible people and organisations in our community contributing to these memorable and powerful Matariki events in Rotorua. Matariki highlights in Rotorua Tohunga Tūmau Dinner – A five-course indigenous dining experience celebrating Māori cuisine, on June 13 at the Energy Events Centre. Aronui Arts Festival Drone Show – A captivating Matariki storytelling experience featuring drones and light displays on June 19 and 20 at the Rotorua Lakefront. Rotorua Night Market – An expanded market with kai, crafts and stalls from past Aronui Māori Market vendors, alongside regular favourites, coinciding with the Drone Show on June 19 and 20 at the Rotorua Lakefront. Ngāti Whakaue Hautapu – Iwi-led, traditional Matariki New Year ceremony held on the morning of June 20 at Whakatāhuna Ngaru, a specific land section of what is widely known as the Rotorua Lakefront. Matariki Hautapu Ceremony – A sacred dawn ceremony of remembrance, gratitude, and renewal, held on June 20 at Te Puia. Whānau Fun Day at Te Puia – An interactive celebration for the whole family with activities and entertainment on June 20 at Te Puia. Te Mātahi o te Tau featuring 1814 – Celebrate the Māori New Year with live music from 1814, supported by Jordyn with a Why and R67, on June 21 at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Matariki Glow Show – A free, bilingual theatre performance for tamariki, on June 22 at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
Scoop
24-04-2025
- General
- Scoop
Rotorua Anzac Day Begins With Dawn Service, Civic Memorial
A pioneering pilot is set to share a message of aroha at this year's Rotorua Anzac Day service. Ahead of the day, she shared how she has seen mixed reactions to her military uniform and how she hopes service people will continue to be supported and appreciated in Aotearoa. Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League Inc will lead the city's dawn service in Ōhinemutu from 5.45am tomorrow, while Rotorua Lakes Council and Rotorua RSA will host an Anzac Day Parade and Civic Memorial Service beginning at 8.50am. Reverend Tom Poata is the officiating minister for the memorial service, and Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell will introduce this year's speakers. Anzac Day, named for the Australia New Zealand Army Corps, is a national day of remembrance that commemorates those who served. The date marks the disastrous beginning of the nearly year-long Gallipoli campaign that ended with more than 130,000 dead, including 2779 New Zealanders. Speakers at the Civic Memorial Service in Rotorua tomorrow include former Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot Angela Swann-Cronin and two youth speaker representatives, Patience Lister (Rotorua Girls High School) and Harrison Roberts-Brake (John Paul College). Rotorua-raised Swann-Cronin (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) was the first Māori woman to become an air force pilot. She retired in 2009 after a 13-year career and now flies 787s for Air New Zealand. "Anzac Day is always a solemn reminder of unnecessary suffering and loss in war and the combined contribution of New Zealand and Australia to the Gallipoli campaign," she told Local Democracy Reporting. "We ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten and those who returned are cherished." The ex-service person said she always felt pride standing alongside colleagues on Anzac Day and "keeping alive the memory" of her tipuna Hēnare Kōhere, who died at the Somme in 1916. "Whilst wearing the military uniform, I have experienced different public reactions to its symbology from gratitude to disappointment. "Despite this, I hope recognition of service people will continue to be supported and appreciated here in Aotearoa." Aroha was her message as opposed to war. "I aim to bring this into my brief Anzac Day kōrero. "It is also a recognition of Matatini winners Ngāti Whakaue and their tribute to the late Tā Bom Gilles." Mayor Tapsell said the day remained an important reminder of the losses created by war, and a moment to honour the sacrifice of young local soldiers who "fought for our safety and security". "With recent conflicts across the world, it's a chilling reminder of how we cannot stay complacent in the pursuit of peace. "Anzac Day is a time to come together as a community and celebrate the strength of unity." About 1000 people were expected to attend. Last year's service included a strong message from then-Rotorua Boys' High School head boy Jared Lasike, who spoke of his great-grandfather's contributions at war and how comradeship brought the country together like never before. His speech also called out New Zealanders for their divisive nature and suggested Kiwis could learn more from their ancestors. Commemoration organisers said in a statement, "G Botting will play the Last Post on his bugle before the Ode to the Fallen is read by WO11 Captain Rangi Rata (Te Arawa Returned Services League) and Dr Reynold Macpherson (Vice President Rotorua Returned Services Association)". Laying of the wreaths will take place during the service, and pipers from the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band will play as well as the Rotorua Municipal Brass Band. Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue will also honour Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies who was the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion. The service will be live-streamed and available on the council's YouTube page. Anzac Dawn Service 5.45am: Gather at Ōhinemutu 5.50pm: Parade march to Muruika Soldiers' Cemetery (by St Faith's Church) 6.00am: Dawn Service begins with a mihi (welcome) from Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League Prayers: Reverend Tom Poata Anzac dedication followed by hymn and guest speaker. The Dawn Service is expected to conclude about 6.30am. Anzac Civic Memorial Service 8.50am: Meet at Te Arawa War Memorial (next to Rotorua Museum in government Gardens) 9.00am: Anzac Parade leaves Te Arawa War Memorial and heads along Queen's Drive 9.25am: Parade arrives at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre 9.30am: Anzac Civic Memorial Service begins Anzac Day road closures (8.30am - 10am): Queens Dr from Prince's Gate Arch to Te Arawa War Memorial (roundabout next to the Rotorua Museum). Arawa St from Prince's Gate Arch to the intersection of Fenton St, (not including the roundabout). People are encouraged to avoid the Prince's Gate entrance to government Gardens due to the road closure.
