Rotorua Mayor promises to fight 'dumping ground' as crime rises around homeless motels in the city

Tuesday, 1 September 2020

As police report increased crime around Rotorua motels used to house the homeless, Mayor Steve Chadwick has promised not to let the city become ‘a dumping ground’.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick has said the city will not become “a dumping ground for problems from other areas” as police report increased crime rates around motels used to accommodate the homeless.

Chadwick was speaking in the wake of Rotorua Police area commander Phil Taikato telling Stuff they had seen “a clear increase in offending” in the areas around Rotorua’s Fenton St.

“In particular, police have seen an increase in dishonesty offending and violent crime,” Taikato said.

“Police met with the Rotorua City Council last week and continue to work with partner agencies to ensure the safety of the community. Police will continue to address any enforcement issues as they arise.”

* Rotorua one of six ‘homeless hot spots’

* Motel hell forces Rotorua industry veteran to quit

* Homeless campaigner issues challenge to Rotorua council

Chadwick said she was concerned about the reports coming from both the community and police about increased anti-social behaviour, “and the effect this is having on local residents”.

Chadwick said she planned to meet with Rotorua’s Central Government agency leaders this week to ascertain the facts and plan to address any issues.

The dumping of shopping trolley’s was an issue everyone raised, but there were more serious concerns too.

Chadwick said the council and central government agencies would work together on the issue.

“People need to feel safe in their homes, neighbourhoods and businesses and Rotorua will not be a dumping ground for problems from other areas.”

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development confirmed to Stuff that they were providing 103 places across seven Rotorua motels for transitional housing, Covid-19 accommodation for rough sleepers and places for people in accommodation where social distancing was not possible.

A HUD spokesperson also told Stuff that providers contracted to provide transitional housing work closely with moteliers to monitor and address incidents of “negative behaviour”.

“Providers’ feedback is that incidents of anti-social behaviour in HUD contracted motels is rare,” they said.

In the streets surrounding a number of the motels, however, a different picture emerged.

Stuff spoke to numerous homeowners in the Glenholme area, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.

While everyone was in agreement places needed to be found for people to live who might otherwise be on the streets, all related negative experiences too, with the proliferation of shopping trolleys and litter on the streets mentioned by everyone Stuff spoke to.

There were more serious issues raised too.

'We’ve had one lot of intruders which made us add to our security,” one resident said, also complaining of discarded shopping trolleys and increased littering.

“It’s mainly the rubbish. It’s a different atmosphere in the street.”

Another resident said their parents had lived on their street for the last 17 years and had definitely seen a spike in anti-social behaviour.

“Boy racers, gang people, swearing,” they said.

“Kids knock on the door and before you can answer they’re trying the door handle. . . we’re a lot more careful about locking doors.

“This used to be a nice area and it’s starting to get not so nice.”

Another resident Stuff spoke to said they had seen dangerous driving and domestic disputes playing out on their street.

“The foulest language you could hear,” they said.

“I’m not sure it encourages people to stay in Rotorua.”