Rotorua Lakes Council

09/06/2026

🗣️ Rotorua, local government changes are coming. It’s time to tell us what you think.

The Simplifying Local Government Programme is exploring a major shift, reducing the number of councils across New Zealand and moving toward combined unitary authorities.

Got thoughts? Put them where they count. Our survey is open until 22 June.

Tell us:
✅ What matters most to you
✅ Any concerns or opportunities you see
✅ Where you feel the strongest connections across regions

No decisions have been made yet. Now’s your chance to be heard.

🔗 More details, FAQs & survey: https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/reforms-legislation/simplifying-local-government

09/06/2026

Parking permits are on the way, here’s a quick breakdown to help answer some of the questions we’re seeing. 🚗🅿️

This series covers when permits apply, where you can park, and how it all works.

🤔 Got more questions? Check out our FAQ page for more detail: https://rlc.net.nz/v60nqa

New one- and three‑month parking permits will be available to purchase one week before the 1 July start date. Sign up below and we’ll send everything you need, including the online purchase link and instructions, straight to your inbox as soon as it’s ready.

📩 Register your interest: https://rlc.net.nz/parking-permits-register

05/06/2026

Yep, the weather’s a bit hit or miss at the moment, but if you catch a break in the clouds… ☔🍁

Now’s your chance to see the last of the autumn colours at the Tree Trust / Centennial Park Maple Grove.

From Monday (8 June), the pathway through the grove will close for around five weeks while we carry out reinstatement works (weather dependent).

There’ll be fencing and signage in place, so please take care and follow directions while crews are on site.

The rest of the park remains open. Check out the autumn colours from the platform or take the alternative path through the native planting.

04/06/2026

🅿️🚗💨 Work in the inner city? Here’s an easy win for your future self.

New parking permits (one- and three‑month) will be available to purchase a week before the 1 July start date. Sign up using the link below and we’ll send everything you need (including the online purchase portal link & instructions) straight to your inbox as soon as it's ready.

🔗 Sign up now: https://rlc.net.nz/parking-permits-register

Pricing: One month is $50 (approx. $12.50 per week) & three months is $130 (approx. $10.80 per week). For comparison, full-time parking in the current pink zones is currently $20 per week.

04/06/2026

99.999% of E. coli removal 💪 That’s the level of community health protection coming with Rotorua’s upgraded wastewater treatment plant.

It’s not just infrastructure. It’s a system that serves our community’s current needs, keeps up with housing growth, and represents one of the most significant investments in environmental and community health protection our city has seen.

We’re in the final stretch, with commissioning starting this August.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

◾Built to meet our community’s current needs and to handle population growth
◾Up to 92% nitrogen and 94% phosphorus removal contributing to the lake’s water quality
◾Advanced UV and ultrafiltration to eliminate harmful bacteria

Big upgrade. Long-term benefits for Rotorua.

04/06/2026

🟡☔ A Heavy Rain Watch is in place from Whakatāne westwards, including Rotorua, from 2pm–11pm, Friday 5 June.

Forecast (as of this afternoon): Periods of heavy rain, with totals that may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms are possible in the evening, and there is a moderate chance the Watch may be upgraded to a Warning.

Stay weather-aware and plan ahead where you can.

Consider checking and clearing gutters and drains today (if safe to do so). If heavy rain does arrive, avoid driving where possible. If you do need to travel, take extra care.

Report any weather-related issues by calling 07 348 4199 📞

UPDATE: as of 6:46am, Saturday 6 May

Hi everyone, good news the Orange Heavy Rain Warning and the Heavy Rain Watch have been lifted.

There'll still be a few showers across the Bay of Plenty today, so keep safe out there.
---------------------------

UPDATE: as of 7:41pm, Friday 5 May

Kia ora all, just an update about the Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for the Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatāne. From 8pm this evening until 5am tomorrow morning (Saturday), expect a further 60 to 80 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but possibly 25 to 40 mm/h in localised downpours. Squally thunderstorms possible.

We will update you if anything else changes.

Take care and stay safe out there!

---------------------------

Mōrena everyone,

MetService New Zealand have issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne for a period of 12 hours from 5pm on Friday to 5am on Saturday. 70 to 90mm of rain is expected with peak rates of 20 to 30mm per hour about the ranges.

There is also a Heavy Rain Watch in place for Bay of Plenty from Whakatane westwards, including Rotorua for a period of 9 hours from 2pm to 11pm Friday 5 June.

Thunderstorms are possible, and streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

As always, weather can change frequently and quickly, so it’s important to be on alert during this time and keep an eye on the latest forecasts.

You can find forecast information at MetService: https://www.metservice.com/national

Any preparedness advice can be found here: https://getready.govt.nz/

State highway updates can be found here: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

Keep an eye on your local council page for any localised updates (such as roads and other infrastructure): Tauranga City Council Western Bay of Plenty District Council Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Whakatāne - Whakatāne District Council Rotorua Lakes Council Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Kawerau - Kawerau District Council Ōpōtiki District Council

03/06/2026

Set your reminders now, the nationwide Emergency Mobile Alert test is happening Sunday 14 June between 6–7pm.

It might catch you off guard if you’re not expecting it, so take a minute to know what to expect. More information below, courtesy of our friends at Bay of Plenty Civil Defence 💛

This year's nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system is taking place on Sunday 14 June between 6-7pm.

EMA’s are broadcast to all capable phones from targeted cell towers to areas affected by serious hazards. NZ Civil Defence routinely tests this system to make sure it’s working well nationwide.

If you have a hidden phone for your personal safety, or the sound of the alert affects your physical or mental health in any way, we recommend turning off any devices with a SIM connection between 6-7pm on Sunday 14 June, or putting them into flight mode.

You can mute the sound of the alert by pressing the volume button on the side of your phone – this mutes the sound of the EMA while leaving the message on screen for you to read in full.

For more information about EMA’s, visit: https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/ema