15 Jun 2021

Rotorua publican hasn't seen crime improve since government intervention in city

From Morning Report, 6:38 am on 15 June 2021

A Rotorua business owner hasn't seen any improvement to criminal behaviour or conditions for residents living in emergency housing since the government stepped in a month ago.

The city's mayor, Steve Chadwick, says the plan is rolling out and improvements will take time.

The Police Minister is refusing to release figures on criminal activity at ten motels around the country, all earning big sums of money from emergency housing, prompting calls for more transparency.

Owner of Hennessy's Irish Bar, Reg Hennessy told political editor Jane Patterson accommodation shortages are pushing tourists out too.