16 September 2004
Vision Rotorua Attracting Strong Interest from Mayoral and Councillor Candidates
Vision Rotorua announced today that it had written to all candidates in the coming mayoral and councillor elections. To
date it had received written feedback on its Action Plan from candidates Knocker Dean, Charles Sturt, Cliff Lee and
Russell Judd and a phone call of support from Trevor Maxwell. Vision Rotorua congratulates those candidates for taking
time from their busy schedules to respond and notes that it is expecting responses from other candidates in the near
future.
Vision Rotorua believes that all candidates have an obligation to clarify their views on the future of the district to
all residents in Rotorua. The think tank has no objection if mayoral and councillor candidates wish to make their
responses to Vision Rotorua’s Action Plan public.
Vision Rotorua Web Site Operational
In response to requests from many in the community to access the ideas and become involved in Vision Rotorua it has
developed a website. The site has details of its Action Plan, media statements, members and its role. Chair of Vision
Rotorua, Deryck Shaw, stated that “he encouraged all people in the district to view the site and comment on the ideas.
The site has a chat facility so that people can outline their ideas and why they think that they are important to
develop the district further”. The site can be reached at www.visionrotorua.co.nz or www.visionrotorua.org.nz. Emails
can also be sent to Vision Rotorua.
Student Essay Competition Vision for Rotorua – deadline extended
Vision Rotorua announced today that has extended the deadline for the essay competition for the students of Rotorua. All
schools in the district had been written to and the feedback had been that with the end of term there was not sufficient
time for many students to enter. The extension of the competition to 24 September will provide further time (one week)
for students in their holidays to outline their great ideas for the future of the district.
All entries should outline their vision for the future of Rotorua District and the reasons they believe that it is
important. Further details are as follows:
Lockwood Secondary School Student Vision for Rotorua Competition
The winner will receive $250, as will the secondary school the student is attending. The second placed student will
receive $100 and the third placed student will receive $50. Entries will be restricted to two A4 sides.
Waiariki Institute of Technology Intermediate School Students Vision for Rotorua Competition
The winner will receive $200, as will the intermediate school the student is attending. The second placed student will
receive $80 and the third placed student will receive $40. Entries will be restricted to one A4 side.
Royal Lakeside Novotel Primary School Student Vision for Rotorua Competition
The winner will receive $200, as will the primary school the student is attending. The second placed student will
receive $80 and the third placed student will receive $40. Entries will be restricted to one A4 side.
Iles Casey Tertiary Student Vision for Rotorua Competition
The winner will receive $350. The second placed student will receive $150 and the third placed student will receive
$100. Entries will be restricted to two A4 sides.
To enter the competition, email your ideas to deryck@apr.co.nz or post them to “Rotorua Students Vision for Rotorua
Competition”, PO Box 1715, Rotorua, or fax them on 349 0609.
To be eligible students must state their year, school (or tertiary institution) and be currently attending a primary,
intermediate or secondary school or tertiary institution in Rotorua District.
The closing date for the competition is Friday 24 September 2004. Deryck Shaw, chair of Vision Rotorua stated that the
group wanted high quality judges for the competition and was pleased to announce that well known Rotorua identity and
former school principal Terry Morrison, Daily Post Editor Karyn Scherer and Waiariki Institute of Technology CEO, Dr
Reynold Macpherson had volunteered their time as judges. Mr Shaw said that to have people of the calibre of those on the
judging panel making the decisions would ensure that all ideas would be carefully considered.
Over $2,000 of cash is available to those who are placed in the four competitions and Vision Rotorua was extremely
grateful for the support that had been given by the four sponsors Iles Casey, Lockwood, Royal Lakeside Novotel and
Waiariki Institute of Technology.
Vision Rotorua had been encouraged with the support that they had received from many in the community and the members of
the group were very keen to explore other ideas from the people of Rotorua for the future of our district.
ENDS