Rotorua is prepared to cope with the global coronavirus outbreak but the responsibility lies with outside agencies, says Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick in response to a question under urgency raised by Rotorua Lakes Councillor Peter Bentley.

Peter was supported by Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, who as an elected member of Lakes District Health Board – Lakes DHB, said the concerns were taken seriously.

'I'm dismayed to see that even after all the warnings we don't even have hand sanitisers in council facilities and council entrances, so people at least a semblance of sort of knowledge that at least there's a risk out there,” Peter told the meeting.

But that and another item Peter raised at ‘inner city lawlessness' were not regarded as urgent by Steve, who chaired the meeting.

They would be dealt with a sub-committee levels, where it was appropriate, Steve says.

Referring to the coronavirus outbreak, Steve says, 'It is not Council leading the appropriate response for New Zealand – the Ministry of Health is responsible for pandemic planning”.

'I'm very aware that Council is central to our local response.”

At the appropriate time, should it indications of the virus occur, the Council will respond.

'We are not the lead agency around a community response,” says Steve.

Merepeka says it's obvious the Lakes DHB is concerned at the coronavirus outbreak.

She suggests an update of what is currently happening, that there are 'some things in train and it would be good for us to know about that”.

The hospital is preparing in the eventuality, she says.

Steve says the Council's chief executive Geoff Williams was soon engaged, once alerted by Lakes DHB.

Geoff confirmed the matter is a government issue which also looks at the defence of the country's borders.

As for the economic impact, though the overall impact was too early to assess, he noted that following the Sars virus in the mid-2000s, there was a short-term GDP wobble.

'But in a six month period there was an economic rebound of 30 per cent above the previous GDP level.” Says Geoff.