News Release
Thursday 3 December 2009

City Assist team on the beat and greeting international visitors at airport

ROTORUA 01.12.09: Rotorua’s City Assist ambassadors are out and about in the CBD for the third consecutive year, following two successful summer seasons on the beat.

Part of their brief is helping international and domestic visitors to get the best out of their time in Rotorua, and to stay safe.

This year they will also have a role out at Rotorua International Airport greeting passengers arriving from Sydney when Air New Zealand’s new trans-Tasman flights begin on 12 December.

Returning for his third term as a City Assist team member is John Gray, who is joined by new team members Michelle Cornes and James Tapsell-Kururangi. The trio are patrolling the city centre and surrounding reserves, acting as walking information centres.

Rotorua District Council community safety projects officer Juanita Conder says the main objective of the project is to increase visitor satisfaction, with ambassadors also playing an ‘eyes and ears’ role adding to community safety in the CBD.

“This year’s team members are excited about the project and especially their involvement at the new international airport. They’re looking forward to extending visitors a warm Rotorua welcome and helping them as much as they can this summer.

“They’re good communicators and well-trained in providing information about our city; whether it’s answering questions on local history or where to find a city map or giving directions to the nearest public toilet. Locals and visitors can have confidence that the City Assist team will steer them in the right direction.”

The City Assist ambassador programme continues until 1 April 2010 and is funded by the Ministry of Justice’s Crime Prevention Unit and coordinated by Rotorua District Council.

ENDS

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