Articles by Laura Smith
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National
Rotorua emergency housing motel wind-down: Where will tenants go?
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 10:48amThe future use of Rotorua’s remaining two non-contracted emergency housing motels hinges on “local demand”, as the Government...
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Lower North Island
Revealed: The dates each Rotorua emergency housing motel must close
Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 6:29pmAll seven of Rotorua’s emergency housing motels have received resource consent extensions despite local opposition. Independent...
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National
Saved again: Iconic pie company given third life
Thursday, 5 December 2024, 9:21amMaketū Pies has been saved again, two weeks into its liquidation process. Privately-owned catering business Montana Group...
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National
Dogs are 'family': Why vet says city's decades-old ban should go
Friday, 20 September 2024, 2:47pmA Rotorua vet has made his case for why he believes dogs should be allowed on leads in the CBD. David Barrowman has been...
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National
'Ripped to shreds': Woman mauled by three dogs calls for harsher penalties
Friday, 20 September 2024, 9:40amWarning: Graphic images “It felt like I was being ripped to shreds … I felt their intention and their instinct was to kill...
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National
'We’re not here to censor them': Council adds public forums for first time
Friday, 26 July 2024, 2:09pmThe Rotorua Lakes Council has introduced public forums to its meetings for the first time – but speakers will have to stick...
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National
'Lives are at stake': Police, councils may lose access to NZTA cameras
Saturday, 13 July 2024, 4:39pmThere are fears police and councils could lose access to New Zealand’s network of more than 1000 highway CCTV cameras – a...
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National
'Monumental': Funding secured to fix and reopen Rotorua Museum
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 11:12amConstruction to reopen Rotorua’s museum will begin in June as the council secures the final funding needed and brings down...
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National
'They have taken us for fools': Councillor hits out over homeless motels
Thursday, 25 April 2024, 9:42amA Rotorua Lakes councillor says Government agencies have “taken us for fools” over the city’s controversial emergency housing...
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National
'It's a sad day for Rotorua': Iconic tourism business in liquidation
Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 10:25amIconic Rotorua tourism paddle boat business Lakeland Queen has gone into liquidation. It comes after the company ceased...
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National
'Couldn't move': Allergic woman trapped in home as 'millions' of wasps swarm
Tuesday, 12 March 2024, 12:07pmA Rotorua woman says she is forced to shut herself inside her home as “millions” of wasps from a neighbouring property swarm...
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National
Maggots, rats, poo on the walls: Tenants paid up to $600pw at 'disgusting' lodge
Saturday, 9 March 2024, 9:20amMaggots on the floor. Human excrement on bathroom walls and floors. Rodents so common one resident gave them names. These...
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National
Boatie fears he may lose foot after boat ramp injury, flesh-eating bacteria
Tuesday, 30 January 2024, 7:54amWarning: Graphic images A boatie fears he could lose his foot to infection after stepping on corroded metal at a council-maintained...
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九一星空无限
Rotorua Lakeland Queen owner told to build new jetty then gift to iwi and lease back
Monday, 18 December 2023, 9:02amFor 36 years, the Lakeland Queen provided tourists and locals with opportunities to cruise and dine on Lake Rotorua. But...
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National
Crumbling teeth or a home? The choice a retired couple say they are weighing up
Saturday, 2 December 2023, 10:38amFix crumbling teeth or keep their home? A retired couple say they are weighing up their choices in the face of a potential...
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National
Speed limit U-turn: Rotorua moves to 'tailored' approach over blanket rules
Friday, 3 November 2023, 7:31amRotorua’s council has taken a U-turn from a “blanket” approach to reducing speed limits and will instead work with schools...
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Politics
'Stop our children being a political rugby ball': Teacher's message to candidates
Thursday, 28 September 2023, 2:43pmA Tauranga teacher is pleading for children to stop being used as a “political rugby ball”. Primary school teacher Vanessa...
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National
'They really are a problem': Fence aims to stop destructive pest spreading
Saturday, 5 August 2023, 2:35pmKilometres of fence line have been laid in Rotorua as part of an attempt to halt potentially millions of dollars in wallaby...
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National
Housing shortage: Homes could be built on cemetery reserve
Thursday, 13 July 2023, 2:37pmCemetery reserve land could be returned to iwi and developed to help address Rotorua’s housing shortage. The Rotorua Lakes...
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National
'The water just goes up': The lakeside community being slowly swallowed
Saturday, 8 July 2023, 9:10amFlooded homes, threatened highways, and months of anxiety are what Rotorua’s lakeside communities are battling as the ground...
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National
From 'dream retirement home' to 'worst nightmare': Fast-rising lake inundates houses
Saturday, 3 June 2023, 9:08amRotoehu homeowner Joan Blair has gone from living her dream to her worst nightmare. She is among those in the small lakeside...
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National
Doubled parking fees, more paid parks and pricier pool admission proposed
Tuesday, 25 April 2023, 10:24amRotorua Lakes Council proposes to double parking fees from $1 to $2 an hour and have 200 more paid parks. The change is proposed...
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National
Rotorua Annual Plan: Hundreds give feedback in first week of consultation
Wednesday, 19 April 2023, 4:30pmAn “outstanding amount” of feedback from 450 submitters was received on Rotorua’s draft Annual Plan in the first week of...
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National
Costs for Lake Tarawera sewage scheme expected mid-year
Friday, 7 April 2023, 9:17amOwners of Lake Tarawera properties being connected to a council sewerage network will not learn the total amount it will...
