Ōpōtiki Rising: Community Invited to Shape Ōpōtiki’s Future

Ōpōtiki District Council is inviting the community to help shape the district’s economic future through ‘Ōpōtiki Rising: Your Voice, Our Future’, a two-month engagement series focused on gathering ideas, feedback and local insight from across the district.

Ōpōtiki Rising has been designed as a community-led approach to developing the district’s economic development strategy, placing local voices at the heart of decision-making.

The programme aims to create opportunities for people to share their aspirations, challenges and ideas in practical, relevant and accessible ways.

A range of engagement opportunities will be offered throughout June and July, including workshops, think tanks, guest speakers, networking events, local business experiences, coastal drop-ins and one-on-one conversations.

Insights gathered during the series will directly inform Council’s economic development strategy, with a focus on sustainable growth, innovation, business development, tourism, training, enterprise and creating opportunities for local people.

Ōpōtiki District Council Chief Executive Stace Lewer said the process is about working alongside the community to define success for the district.

“This is about genuinely working alongside our community to understand what success looks like for Ōpōtiki. The strategy will reflect the ideas, energy and potential that already exists here.”

Council is encouraging participation from a wide range of people, including business owners, entrepreneurs, side hustlers, home-based operators, rangatahi, creatives, tourism operators, training providers, community organisations, industry groups and coastal communities.

Among the planned events are Food for Thought, a series of dinner-table conversations over kai; Sip & Scent with Jakob Carter, an interactive workshop exploring creativity, local enterprise and business growth; and Māori Enterprise & Wāhine in Business, featuring Māori Millionaire author Te Kahukura Boynton.

The Council is also partnering with the Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce to deliver business-focused engagement opportunities, including networking and speed networking events.

A proposed “Meet a Business” concept, developed alongside the Ōpōtiki RSA, aims to provide a relaxed environment for local businesses, entrepreneurs and residents to connect.

Other initiatives under development include a Visitor Economy and Business Outlook Forum, bringing together tourism operators, industry representatives, Council and national voices to explore opportunities for growing Ōpōtiki’s visitor economy.

The forum is expected to feature economist Brad Olsen, who will provide insights into national and regional economic conditions and what they may mean for local businesses.

Engagement Coordinator Joseph Hayes said the programme has been designed to make participation easier for people who may not typically engage through formal consultation processes.

“The approach reflects a commitment to meeting people where they are, recognising that not everyone has the time or interest to attend formal meetings or complete lengthy surveys.”

Instead, the series will take conversations into everyday settings, including community spaces, local businesses, workshops and coastal communities, as well as through one-on-one discussions.

Hayes said the goal is to hear from people already contributing to the local economy, as well as those with ideas and ambitions who may not normally see themselves as part of the economic development conversation.

“The series also embraces a broader view of economic development in Ōpōtiki, recognising the value of local enterprise in all its forms, from side hustles and home-based businesses to tourism, training, creative industries, Māori enterprise, wāhine in business, and community-led initiatives, with a strong focus on unlocking this potential by listening to the people who know Ōpōtiki best.”

Hayes will also be available for one-on-one catch-ups with businesses, community groups and individuals who would prefer to provide feedback directly.

Further details about upcoming events and opportunities to participate will be released in the coming weeks.