24 Jul 2018

Fining night shelter would be 'totally dopey' - councillor

From Morning Report, 6:16 am on 24 July 2018

A Rotorua District Councillor says it would be unfair and unnecessary to fine a man who failed to get consent for a night shelter. Night shelter creator, Tiny Deane, says he had to close the shelter's doors at the weekend because he was told he could be fined up to $200,000 by the council for allowing people to sleep in the building. Rotorua Lakes District Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait couldn't confirm if the council had raised the prospect of a fine but she says she wouldn't be happy if they did. RNZ reporter Katie Scotcher asked her why the shelter closed.