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Get to know your community, from your local butcher to our city’s mayor.
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Rotorua businesses back local women’s footy from the first whistle
Friday, June 13, 2025
Just days out from one of their biggest matches yet, Lakes FC’s Senior Women’s teams have scored some amazing support from two proud Rotorua businesses. Polynesian Spa has signed on as the Primary Women’s Sponsor, while The Pet Vet Rotorua is backing the teams by sponsoring their warm-up kits.
I Am Rotorua – Shaq Stone
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
You’d think that it would be just sports people that come in, but it's the complete opposite, we have people who come in just to have them time, alone time, stress release, and it helps a lot with mental health. That’s another benefit, not only physically but mentally.
I Am Rotorua – Isabel Talabis-Ronquillo
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
My husband and I migrated from the Philippines 15 years ago, and have been here for eight of those years. We love Rotorua. Just the fact that you can do all the things like biking, and we are into disc golfing at the moment. We have been doing that every morning for the past three months. The lakes are just there and I love how you can just feel the culture more here than anywhere else.
I Am Rotorua – Toni Austin
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
I actually moved away from Rotorua like seven or eight years ago, I think, and personally, I’m just born and bred Rotorua, I am a Rotorua girl. So when I moved away, I really really missed it. Although it was cool to go away, it made me appreciate Rotorua more and I am really happy.
I Am Rotorua – Kane Radford
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
“Me and my family moved back to Rotorua about four years ago now, basically to start working in the family business that’s been in Rotorua for 30 years, Radford Roofing, and to start following in dad’s footsteps – and to progress our family forward and have a much better lifestyle.
I Am Rotorua – Isabel McCandlish
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
My family lives in Holland but I have lived in Rotorua forever, my whole life. I was in property management prior to this and just the connection of bringing people into their own homes has inspired me to become a real estate agent, and I have managed to secure my first 2 sales which has been exciting!
I Am Rotorua – Keegan Mitchell
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Keegan Mitchell loves to run! You’ll often spot him early in the morning running through the city centre – and probably lots of other places around Rotorua too. He started up a run club, Good Day Athletic Club, hoping to inspire others to give it a go.
I Am Rotorua – Merenia
Monday, June 9, 2025
I have always been creative and have had quite a few endeavours that I’ve pursued in my life but I never knew I was good at cake art. I have five kids and it’s expensive to buy cakes for five kids so I gave it a go and I was really good at it. From there, whānau started asking and it was a domino effect. I was home based and for nine months I just worked really hard and gained a really great portfolio and a lot of customers.
I Am Rotorua – Rauhina Martin
Friday, June 6, 2025
I didn’t grow up here, but my partner did. I have been here for three years, and I love that Rotorua is so enriched in Māori culture. Living in Rotorua is pretty special compared to other places. It has a slower, more relaxed pace of life, but there’s always something happening, whether it’s cultural events or outdoor activities.
I Am Rotorua – Benjamin Overington
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
I moved here from Mount Maunganui. Once I got fully qualified in flying, I basically searched the entire country for my first flying job and the absolutely dream job became available at Volcanic Air, not only just fulltime flying but flying floats and the charters and scenics. It’s any pilot’s dream first gig.
I Am Rotorua – Rebecca Shrimpton
Friday, May 30, 2025
I have lived in Rotorua for about 40 years now. I started Juniper two and a half years ago. The name Juniper actually came from the Juniper tree which is a tree that can survive in really adverse conditions, like it doesn’t need a lot of resources to thrive and it also provides shelter for other little things to grow up underneath it so that’s kind of the concept that I am heading for – that we can help other people get the stuff done that they need to.
I Am Rotorua – Anaru Grant
Friday, May 30, 2025
Whanoa Jiu Jitsu was established with a clear vision: to provide a safe, welcoming, and empowering space for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Our kaupapa is deeply rooted in whānau, respect, and personal growth, ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors feels supported on and off the mats.
I Am Rotorua – Cheyenne Kennedy
Friday, May 30, 2025
I love raising my kids here in Rotorua, it’s my home. I have lived here my whole life and so have my parents and grandparents. Rotorua is deeply rooted into my family’s history. Ngongotahā is home to me, it’s where I feel my strongest connection.
I Am Rotorua – Chevez Makan
Monday, November 25, 2024
I came back to teach here because I wanted to give these boys the same experience I had. I’m an old boy myself—one of 30 on staff right now. It’s kind of funny when you think about it, how many of us came back to give back in some way.
I Am Rotorua – Tania
Friday, November 22, 2024
Tania from Portico talks about what it is that she loves about her mahi as a framer.
I Am Rotorua – Geraldine
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
There’s something precious about owning a book. That you see, that you can hold, you can feel. You can turn the pages. It’s a different feeling from reading that book online.
I Am Rotorua – Trevor Shaw
Monday, November 18, 2024
“Some people look at me and just see a fella with a guitar, but I’m here to give something back."
I Am Rotorua – Digraj Baghela
Friday, October 25, 2024
“You probably wouldn’t notice it unless you knew to look. I used to be a chef for 12 years, always in the kitchen, always moving fast. But when I got married and had kids, it became harder to keep up with that life. So, I switched gears.”
I Am Rotorua – Renee Tapsell
Monday, October 21, 2024
“We’ve been at this for about two or three years now, and we’re turning three this month. It’s been quite the journey, not just in terms of the business, but in my own māoritanga, too."
Krissie Knap – Why music saved her life
Monday, October 7, 2024
Krissie Knap is someone whose presence effortlessly, and at times unintentionally, commands attention. It doesn’t matter if she’s on the stage performing or if you come across her on the streets of Rotorua, the energy she gives off always makes you feel better.
