Rotorua tourist toilets not up to standard

A toilet block near Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village has been criticized for its condition, with one tour operator calling it an “embarrassment.” Rotorua Lakes Council acknowledges the facilities are not currently up to standard.

Concerns Raised by Tourism Operator

Tour bus operator Murray Guy advised visitors to the Tryon St toilet block to “take a mask” due to concerns about cleanliness and odour. He actively discourages passengers from using the facilities, describing them as “an absolute embarrassment” and noting numerous complaints from tourists.

Guy, a former Tauranga City councillor, said he had repeatedly attempted to address the issue with the council, stating they had “made no attempt to even keep it clean.” He highlighted that many of his passengers arrive in New Zealand directly after international flights, making the toilet block one of their first impressions of the country.

Condition of the Facilities

Local Democracy Reporting observed the building to be worn, with cracked paint, holes in windows, and a patched roof. An unpleasant odour was present, though not overpowering, on a recent warm afternoon.

Council Response and Planned Improvements

Rotorua Lakes Council community experience group manager Alex Wilson confirmed the council is responsible for the toilet block and has received three complaints in the past 12 months. Cleaning occurs three times daily, but conditions remain “not up to the standard” desired by the council.

The council manages 70 toilet facilities across the district, prioritizing maintenance and renewal based on age, condition, cost, and usage. A $12,000 tidy-up, including interior and exterior painting, is scheduled for next week. A full renewal is estimated to cost at least $250,000.

Future Plans

Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village is planning to build its own toilet facilities next year. The council will determine future plans for the existing facilities after the village’s project is complete. Village marketing and communications officer Renee Raimona-Hunter expressed hope that construction on the new toilets will begin before the end of the year.

Tourist Feedback

Two tourists interviewed by Local Democracy Reporting offered differing perspectives. A Canadian visitor, Mason, found the toilets better than some he’d encountered elsewhere but noted it was “unusual” to see such facilities in New Zealand, suggesting a “real deep clean” might suffice.

A backpacker from the Netherlands, Franke, described the toilets as “not the best” but “not the worst,” hoping any upgrades would preserve the structure’s unique, whare-shaped design. She appreciated its character, stating it was “better than just a boring metal box.”