Key Takeaways:
- The toilet block at Tryon St, near the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village in Rotorua, has been labeled an "embarrassment" due to its poor condition and cleanliness.
- The Rotorua Lakes Council has acknowledged that the facilities fall below standard and has scheduled a $12,000 tidy-up for next week.
- The council is responsible for 70 toilet facilities in the district and prioritizes maintenance and renewal work based on factors such as age, condition, cost, and use.
- Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village plans to build its own toilets next year, which may affect the future of the existing facilities.
- Tourists have expressed mixed opinions about the toilets, with some finding them dirty and in need of improvement, while others appreciate their unique character.
Introduction to the Issue
The toilet block at Tryon St, near the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village in Rotorua, has been a subject of concern for tourists and locals alike. The facilities have been described as smelly, dirty, and in need of repair, with many considering them an "embarrassment" to the city. Tour bus operator Murray Guy has discouraged his passengers from using the toilets, citing their poor condition and unpleasant odor. Despite his efforts to raise the issue with the Rotorua Lakes Council, he feels that no attempt has been made to address the problem.
The Current State of the Toilets
The toilet block’s condition is indeed concerning, with cracked paint, holes in windows, and a patched roof. While the building’s exterior may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, it is the interior that is of greatest concern. The toilets are cleaned three times a day, but this has not been enough to maintain a satisfactory level of cleanliness. The Rotorua Lakes Council has acknowledged that the facilities fall below standard and has scheduled a $12,000 tidy-up for next week. This will include interior and exterior painting, which should help to improve the overall appearance of the building.
The Council’s Response
The Rotorua Lakes Council is responsible for 70 toilet facilities in the district and prioritizes maintenance and renewal work based on factors such as age, condition, cost, and use. While the council has received only three complaints about the Tryon St toilets in the past 12 months, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the issue. The scheduled tidy-up is a step in the right direction, but it may not be enough to bring the facilities up to standard. A full renewal of the old toilet block is estimated to cost at least $250,000, which may be a significant investment for the council.
The Impact on Tourism
The Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village is one of Rotorua’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year. The toilet block at Tryon St is often one of the first impressions that tourists have of the city and the country. As such, it is essential that the facilities are clean, well-maintained, and welcoming. Tourists have expressed mixed opinions about the toilets, with some finding them dirty and in need of improvement, while others appreciate their unique character. Canadian visitor Mason noted that the toilets were better than some he had encountered in other countries, but still required a "real deep clean." Backpacker Franke from the Netherlands thought that the toilets needed an "upgrade," but hoped that the character of the whare-shaped structure would remain.
Future Plans
Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village plans to build its own toilets next year, which may affect the future of the existing facilities. The village has been in talks with the council about building its own toilets, and marketing and communications officer Renee Raimona-Hunter hopes that the work will start before the end of this year. This may provide an opportunity for the council to re-evaluate the existing toilet block and consider options for its future use or redevelopment. Ultimately, the goal should be to provide clean, well-maintained, and welcoming facilities that reflect the beauty and hospitality of Rotorua and New Zealand.