Please note correction to earlier news release.
Bruce Horne's title is Inspector, not Senior Sergeant as was previously stated.
Apologies for any inconvenience.
Megan

  
News Release 

 Wednesday 23 June 2010 

Ceremony celebrates Rotorua’s international safe community status

ROTORUA 23.06.10:  The Treasure Rotorua group is hosting a celebration at Rotorua District Council’s Civic Centre on Friday [25 June] to formally recognise Rotorua’s success in achieving international safe community status, a concept developed by the World Health Organisation.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) Safe Community designation leader Amy Royston says Rotorua becomes the 200th community in the world, and the 14th community nationwide, to achieve International Safe Community designation, following a detailed evaluation from members of Safe Communities Foundation NZ and other central government agencies last month.

“Becoming the 200th community worldwide to achieve Safe Community designation has a special ring to it, and we’re rapt to have achieved the milestone that many people and organisations having been working so hard for over the last two years.”

Friday’s event will also involve the signing of a Safe Community Agreement between Rotorua organisations and the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion.

“The agreement is a commitment by Rotorua agencies and groups to continue with the Treasure Rotorua project to promote safety and injury prevention throughout the community,” says Ms Royston.

“It show’s our determination as a community to work together towards keeping Rotorua as a safe place to live, work or visit.”

Signing on behalf of Rotorua are Mayor Kevin Winters for Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Police Inspector Bruce Horne, Lakes DHB’s Cathy Cooney, ACC’s Heather Rivett, and iwi representative Toby Curtis.

Safe Communities Foundation NZ director Dr Carolyn Coggan says the review team was highly impressed by the calibre of Rotorua’s application document.

“It is one of the most comprehensive from New Zealand or around the world. There is a range of comprehensive safety programmes operating, and outcomes have been identified to measure their reach and impact.

“It is evident that there is good collaboration between different groups in Rotorua working to improve safety.”

Treasure Rotorua comprises Rotorua District Council, Castlecorp, Rotorua Police, Toi Te Ora, Lakes DHB, ACC, Neighbourhood Support, Te Waiariki Purea Trust, Ministry of Social Development and local iwi.

The group will continue to meet monthly to progress the project by supporting and promoting safety programmes in and around Rotorua.

[ENDS]

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