Participating in online consultations

Consultation and engagement projects are open to the public and anyone can participate. Click on a current project to be taken to the project page where you can read more information and give us your feedback. You can do this by completing a survey or one of the other feedback tools available on the page or if relevant, by uploading your own submission. If you have any questions about using the Participate platform you can email participate@rotorualc.nz.

You can also register by clicking on the Log In / Join button at the top right-hand side of this page and then click Sign up.

Why is Rotorua Lakes Council seeking feedback and advice online?

Traditional community consultation usually involves attending 'town hall' meetings or providing written submissions to Council, and this can often be time consuming, inconvenient and sometimes intimidating. Participate | Wātea - Rotorua gives you the opportunity to have your say on issues and opportunities that are important to you, at a time and place of your choice.

Here's why:

• It is a quick, safe and convenient way to have your say on a range of issues and topics
• It is a great way to keep up to date and contribute your views on issues affecting your community
• You can see what other community members think about an issue or topic, respond with your own views and engage in a discussion
• You don't have to attend community meetings at a set place and time, you can contribute at a time and place that suits you
• It allows for a range of different people, with different views to discuss matters that impact on their community and for individuals to better understand and acknowledge differing views and work together to provide solutions that benefit the whole community.

How are the online forum and other public comments moderated?

In the first instance, moderation is carried out by Social Pinpoint independent to Council.

The site uses either a (a) post-moderation tool where all content submitted by users on our site is immediately published and then reviewed by our moderators to ensure it complies with Social Pinpoint's Moderation Policy or (b) pre-moderation tool where all content must be approved by our moderators before appearing on the site.

For more information, please refer to the Moderation Policy on the Social Pinpoint website.

Is my privacy protected?

Yes! Your privacy is absolutely protected, and Rotorua Lakes Council and the providers of the Participate Rotorua (Social Pinpoint) will only use your email to contact you with updates and to invite you to participate in consultations.

Your email address and any other information provided by you will not be distributed to any third party or used for any other purpose. For more information, please view our privacy policy.

Submissions and the Privacy Act and Official Information Act

Submissions for district plan consultations are made under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Bylaws

The Council must use the special consultative procedure when making or amending a bylaw. Section 83(1)(a) of LGA 2002 requires the Council to prepare a Statement of Proposal. Section 86(2) requires the Statement of Proposal to include: a draft of the bylaw as proposed to be made or amended and the reasons for the proposal; and a report on the relevant determinations by the Council under section 155 of the LGA 2002.

Submissions and the information contained in them will be held by the Rotorua Lakes Council and will also be available at Rotorua Lakes Council's Customer Centre, the Rotorua library and on the Rotorua Lakes Council website.

By taking part in this public submission process submitters will, for the purposes of the Official Information Act 1982, be understood to have waived privacy interests in their submission.

Submitters are also reminded that the information supplied in written submissions may be personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1993. Submitters are advised that under the Privacy Act that they have the right to enquire as to the personal information held by the Council and request that it be accurate.

What other ways can I have my say?

Your Councillors and Community Board Members are available to discuss your ideas, issues or concerns.

Contact a Councillor or Community Board member.

Keep an eye out on when Elected Members and Council staff will be out and about in your community.

Alternatively, you can email us at participate@rotorualc.nz.