I’ve served one term on Council and the Rotorua Lakes Community Board attending 123 of a possible 124 formal meetings this triennium.

 

My wife and children were born and raised in Rotorua, proud of their Te Arawa tipuna.  My relationships and community involvement keep me attuned to the important issues for a safe and caring Rotorua.

 

I support  initiatives and relationships that foster sustainable economic development, preservation of our special environment, affordable rates, well directed expenditure and a Council Executive that strives for staff excellence.

 

I’m passionate about the role sport & recreation has in developing young people and remaining engaged, active and healthy as we age.  My voluntary organisation of corporate, community and major events over many years makes me a staunch advocate of their importance to the economy and vibrancy of Rotorua.

 

I’m approachable and committed to working hard to achieve the best outcomes for our richly-endowed District

Top 5 Issues

1. 'A safer Rotorua'. Aside from other responsibilities such as Civil Defence and food safety, Council has a leading role to play in reducing Alcohol-related Harm and Road Trauma, particularly as they affect our younger more vulnerable citizens. In partnership with Govt Agencies and Organisations, through it's regulatory arm and by the use of temporary and permanent liquor bans, Council can make a major contribution to alcohol harm reduction. Councils also need legislation enabling them to control the proliferation of liquor outlets in inappropriate locations. As Chair of the District Road Safety Action Planning Committee I've supported initiatives and programmes to educate young drivers and their passengers on the need to make wise safe choices. As the Council appointee to the Drivewise Trust I recognise the the value of this committee in bringing road safety and sustainable transport issues to the attention of the decision-makers.
2. 'Stewardship of our natural and built environment'. Council has a major role to play in the protection and enhancement of our environment. Relationships and protocols with Iwi and other landowners/managers, developers, and community care groups must be fostered to ensure sustainable development and to maintain momentum on environmental protection projects. Council must stick to it's infrastructure program [e.g. wastewater reticulation of lakeside communities] and search for new technologies and partnerships [e.g. Waste 2 Gold] so that we leave a legacy of lakes, forests and reserves that remain healthy and can be accessed and enjoyed for generations to come. The revitalisation of the Rotorua Lakefront and our CBD north of Victoria St requires the continued careful attention and energy of Rotorua's next Council.
3. 'Economic Development'. Rotorua's next Council must shoulder responsibility for making real progress on key infrastructure projects essential to underpinning economic growth. These projects include 4-laning of Lake Rd, the Victoria St arterial project as well as an upgrade of our waste-water treatment plant. Council needs to encourage innovative and appropriate applications to the 'Grow-Rotorua development fund' to ensure this fund delivers real growth in jobs and wages for the District. Completion of the Rotorua International Airport extensions is budgeted for and will be completed in the term of the next Council. I pledge to ensure that where appropriate, provision for alternative sustainable transport options, including walking and cycling, is considered relative to all these projects.
4. 'Fostering continued development as a vibrant cultural and events destination'. Establishment of the new Tourism Standing Committee will be an important step in lifting our share of the visitor market. Council must provide funding and leadership to ensure we retain and build Rotorua's portfolio of quality events while at the same time enhancing Rotorua's position as a fun and exciting place to live.
5. 'Affordable and equitable rates'. I am proud of the current Council's achievements in the area of the rating review and the control of rate increases. That said, there is work still to be done and inflationary pressures are mounting. Capital projects cannot be deferred forever. Rotorua's next Council will have more hard decisions to make in ensuring the ownership of property [residential-business-farming] in our District remains affordable for most. This is a key factor in enabling people and businesses to not only remain here, but to make the decision to [re]locate here.

Personal Profile

Dave Donaldson QSM

Born in Whakatane in 1950; my parents lived in Te Teko at the time.

Raised in Matamata from age 1yr, I left Matamata College with University Entrance to enter the Police as a cadet.

I retired from a 38 year Police career in December 2005, 33 years of that in Rotorua where for the last 18 years of my service I held the rank of Senior Sergeant.  Some highlights of my Police Career included commanding a team policing unit at all but 1 venue in the 1981 Springbok Tour, Russian Motorcade Commander for the 1999 APEC Summit in Auckland, several years in charge of the Police SAR Squad in Rotorua and Police Operation Commander for the 2005 Lions Tour rugby game in Rotorua.   I was also involved in the planning and project management of the new custodial facility at the Rotorua Police Station.

I remain a retired member of the NZ Police Council of Sport and was twice awarded the 'Sports Administrator of the Year' trophy for services to Police Sport.

My 33 years in policing Rotorua has provided me with a very good understanding of the profile of our community and the issues facing it's people.

Elected to Rotorua District Council in 2007, I have held the following responsibilities:

- Along with all 12 Councillors, attendance at Works, Planning & Bylaws, Community Parks & Recreation and Finance Committees

- Appointed member of the Rotorua Lakes Community Board

- Council appointed trustee on the Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust

- Council appointee on the Drivewise Committee and Chairman of the Rotorua District Road Safety Action Plannng Committee

- Member of the steering committee for the 'Thermal by Bike' National Cycleway project - Nga Haerenga

Outside of Council - but often in co-operation with RDC:

I am a Life Member and currently the Vice-President of the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club [Inc].   I have been on the Committee of the RMTBC for all but one of the last 15 years.  I am also the co-ordinator of the MTB Club volunteer Search & Rescue team.  I have organised the Rotorua round of the Kids Bike Jam since it's inception here several years ago.

- I regularly attend MTB Club working bees and when time permits I get out on working bees with the hardworking crew from the Tikitapu Bush Restoration project.

- I have been active in advocacy at all levels from Parliamentary  Select Committee, on Marae, in Boardrooms and in the Media seeking to secure and preserve access to forest and reserve lands for recreational use by all citizens and visitors to our District.

- I have attended Te Reo and Tikanga Maori courses to improve my understanding and responsiveness to issues that are important to Te Arawa Iwi, and to increase my effectiveness as an advocate in the important relationships we share with the Tangata Whenua of the District.

- In 1996 [Cairns] and 2001 [Quebec] I represented NZ in Cross Country at the UCI MTB Masters Championships.   I was NZ MTB Masters Champion in 2000 and NZ Team Manager at the 2001 UCI MTB World Championships in Vail - USA.

- In 2000, with support of the then Rotorua Mayor Grahame HALL, I initiated a bid to host the UCI MTB + Trials World Championships.   With the support of a talented team of Rotorua MTB enthusiasts, Council and Businesses, BikeNZ  and the expertise of Arthur Klap, our third bid succeeded in 2003.   I was Chairman of the Organising Committee for Rotorua's hosting of the 2006 UCI MTB + Trials World Championships, and event with a $2million+ budget.

- In 2008 I chaired a bid for Rotorua to host the 2009 UCI Trials World Cup finals, and chaired the organising committee that delivered this event outside the Ibis Hotel in September 2009.

- I have assisted with the organisation of the MTB leg of the Xterra Festival since it's inception in Rotorua, and I've organised or assisted with several other Police or Community sporting events including trout fishing, MTB and multisport competitions.

- In 2 April 2010 I participated in the Rotovegas Boxing Gym's fundraising 'fight night' going down in a split decision to Golds Gym owner Steve Gardiner.  Not the hardest but certainly one of the most intensive sporting experiences of my life, all for a good cause.   Rotovegas Boxing Gym is a great example of a sports organisation providing a positive influence and direction for young kids in a low-income area of Rotorua.   It was a priviledge to be a part of their fundraiser [before I'm too old] helping them mentor more young people in the area of sport and fitness in a disciplined environment.

When commitments permit Shreeve and I like to travel, usually for sport or to visit whanau, but the best thing about visiting other places is getting back to Rotorua.   All things considered, I can't think of a better District or Community to live in.