Ōtaki

Discover what makes Ōtaki unique by exploring our community’s vision for the future of our People, Place, and Partnerships. These areas of focus reflect your insights and aspirations, so we can shape a future where we deepen our connections, protect our natural and cultural treasures, and build partnerships that support a thriving Ōtaki for generations to come. 

Showing audio icon When you see this symbol, click to hear insights shared by our community during the engagement process.

Vision Ōtaki Summary Report  [PDF 3.63 MB]

People | Place | Partnership

Your Vision for Kāpiti

Together, we’ve shaped a vision for Kāpiti that reflects our collective aspirations for the district through 2060 and beyond. By understanding what our community values and the changes they wish to see, we can plan for growth that is sustainable and supports our place, people, and partnerships to thrive. 

Each theme reflects your insights, our shared connections, and the shifts we want to make for a vibrant, inclusive future. Explore how your feedback guides our commitment to strengthening community bonds, respecting our environment, and building a collaborative future for generations to come. 

People

People

Ōtaki is a vibrant and diverse community that values its cultural diversity and community connections and champions bilingual and bicultural inclusivity. There are strong creative and cultural industries, and the community seeks more opportunities for community interaction through enhanced social infrastructure and hubs. The community would like to see improved access to healthcare and better public transport networks.  

We’ve heard that you would like to work together to foster safe, vibrant spaces that celebrate cultural diversity, support our young people, and bring our communities together. 

Connections

Connections

Where we are

We have strong community bonds, a small-town character, and a focus on youth and cultural activities.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Feedback shows you want Ōtaki to be a thriving, connected community with inclusive spaces and regular cultural events. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Developing youth-focused facilities and grounds. Supporting cultural events and amenities to service events. Providing nice safe spaces for gatherings.

Your ideas

Click to listen community feedback 1
"Upgrade public amenities, modernise playgrounds and parks, install splash pads, and improve BBQ facilities."
"Create entertainment spaces like theme parks, arcades, and movie theatres."
"Upgrade public amenities in Ōtaki: modernising playgrounds and parks, splash pads and better BBQ facilities: support more community recreational sports/outdoor facilities/activities."
"Facilitate cultural events and celebrations, such as Matariki."
"Promote community gardens and events that encourage multi-generational gatherings."

Health

Health

Where we are

We face limited access to healthcare services and are concerned about the availability of local primary and emergency care.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Our community would like to have comprehensive local primary healthcare with mental health support and after-hours urgent care. Open access to regional hospital services both to the North and South. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Establishing a local health hub, improving GP and emergency services, and enhancing mental health care. Advocating for better access to hospitals.

Your ideas

"Improve Ōtaki healthcare primary services, including better access to GPs and a local comprehensive health hub."
"Enhance after-hours access to GPs, care facilities, and pharmaceuticals for urgent and emergency care."
"Improve access to Wellington and Palmerston North hospitals."
"Upgrade Levin hospital to service Ōtaki and consider establishing a local hospital with full services."
"Enhance specific services for elderly, dementia, and mental health care."
"Improve ambulance services."
"Educate the community about healthy living."

Energy

Energy

Where we are

We are interested in sustainability, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Feedback shows that our community would like sustainable energy infrastructure with widespread adoption of renewables. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Promoting renewable energy projects and integrating sustainability into planning.

Your ideas

"Mandate the use of solar panels."

Networks & Connectivity

Network

Where we are

We are concerned about limited public transport options, road safety, and pedestrian access.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expresses a need for safe, accessible public transport network with improved road safety and better pathways.

The shifts you want us to make 

Advocating to expand the public bus and train services. Improving local road design and management to meet safety objectives. Providing new and enhancing existing pedestrian and cycle pathways.

Your ideas

Click to listen community feedback 1
"Establish bus services to Te Horo and Levin."
"Synchronise bus services with trains at Waikanae."
"Increase frequency and accessibility of buses within Ōtaki town and beach areas, with covered bus shelters."
"Electrify the train between Waikanae and Ōtaki and upgrade the Ōtaki railway station."
"Extend and maintain cycleways and footpaths, including better connections and signage to local amenities, and more scenic walkways."
"Improve road safety and traffic management."
"Improve connectivity between diverse areas like highway shops, Waitohu, Riverbank commercial area, Main Street township, and beach."
"Consider public-private partnerships for infrastructure development."

Food

Food

Where we are

We support local food resilience initiatives.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expressed a desire to have a strong local food system enhancing community resilience.

The shifts you want us to make 

Supporting community gardens and local food initiatives. Protecting agricultural and horticultural enterprise.

Your ideas

"Encourage sustainable farming practices."

Housing

Housing

Where we are

We have high unmet demand for affordable, diverse housing options and are concerned about housing development costs.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expressed a desire to have access to a range of affordable housing options, including public housing. Housing development preserves community character.

The shifts you want us to make 

Supporting affordable housing initiatives. Advocating for more public housing. Streamline district planning and consenting processes. Planning and designing to preserve Ōtaki’s character and cultural heritage.

Your ideas

"Educate the community about housing."
"Reduce costs associated with housing development."
"Incentivise affordable housing projects, simplify zoning and consenting processes, and encourage smaller, more cost-efficient housing designs."
"Utilise local construction materials and labour."
"Increase low-cost, high-quality housing options."
"Expand Government-owned rentals."
"Reinstate papakāinga housing."
"Support generational tenancy, enabling residents with whakapapa in Ōtaki to stay in the community."
"Implement initiatives to reduce costs associated with housing developments."

Income and Work

Income and Work

Where we are

We desire more local employment opportunities and support for our local businesses.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expressed a desire to have a thriving local economy with diverse employment options and vibrant local businesses. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Encouraging investment and supporting local entrepreneurship. Promoting Ōtaki as a destination to visit and explore. Support revitalising shopping areas and beach areas to boost appeal.

Your ideas

"Enhance local tourism and encourage guided tours and history trails."
"Improve employment conditions and initiate employment programs."
"Encourage investment in local shopping and dining, ensuring a diverse mix of businesses."
"Propose rent control to retain diverse retailers."
"Improve public transport to facilitate commuting and access to job markets."
"Support local businesses that develop entrepreneurs."
"Revitalise main streets and beach areas to boost visitor appeal."
"Provide vocational training for in-demand skills, job creation schemes, and ensure educational opportunities lead to employment."

Peace, Safety, Equality

Peace, Safety, Equality

Where we are

We are concerned about community safety, including anti-social behaviours. Need better access to social services including police. Need safety through design with safety and security systems.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expresses a need for Ōtaki to be a safe, inclusive community with high-quality public spaces, and robust safety and security measures. Our community want Ōtaki to be well served by locally present social services.

The shifts you want us to make 

Advocating for increasing social services available locally, including police. Improving urban design through crime prevention philosophy and safety and security systems.

Your ideas

Click to listen community feedback 1
"Ensure infrastructure is designed to withstand natural hazards including floods, earthquakes, and storms."
"Improve street lighting and security systems (including lighting at courts and skate parks)."
"Create safe spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, pets, and marginalised groups (LGBT)."
"Increase Police presence with 24-hour patrols and beach visibility."
"Implement crime prevention programs and stronger enforcement."
"Identify tsunami safe zones and install billboards about risks."
"Improve animal control."
"Strengthen freedom camping management and compliance."
"Ensure Council facilities are accessible for community use."

Education and Training

Education and Training

Where we are

We need to enhance support for educational providers so they can expand vocational learning opportunities. Better youth and young adult educational and sports resources are wanted.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback shows a desire for comprehensive learning opportunities and educational infrastructure, with a focus on lifelong learning and vocational training. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Advocating for new classrooms/schools to meet population growth. Supporting existing education providers, and encouraging expansion of vocational programs.

Your ideas

"Provide better support for educational providers."
"Secure funding for community and youth education facilities, especially in vocational training."
"Expand educational opportunities for programs like Earn-to-Learn and vocational training for in-demand skills."
"Establish youth centres offering diverse educational and vocational programs."
"Allocate better resources for youth education and sports."
"Establish more educational facilities, including a new high school and polytechnic campuses."

Place

Place

Ōtaki has a rural outlook and a small-town feel. The township is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes; nestled by the Ōtaki River and bounded between the Tararua Range and Tasman Sea, its unique heritage and access to the outdoors are central to the town’s identity. The community would like to see innovative housing models that preserve the existing character of the town. There is strong support for local food systems and community gardens to ensure a resilient local food system.  

Guided by your feedback, we aim to protect and enhance these places for future generations through sustainable land use that accommodates growth whilst preserving productivity and natural character. 

Land Use

Land Use

Where we are

We are concerned about balancing growth with the preservation of our community character.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expresses a need for balanced, sustainable growth that is sympathetic to community character and cultural heritage. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Strategic planning to avoid sprawl and preserve open spaces.
Coordinating urban design, residential growth and the provision of infrastructural services. Focusing on enhancing our beaches and river access, community areas and green spaces.

Your ideas

Click to listen community feedback 1
"Preserve open spaces, market gardens, and enhance waterfront areas."
"Use land smartly through mixed-use developments to maximise resources and affordability."
"Coordinated urban design, including transport links and community spaces."
"Beautify public spaces like the main entrance of Ōtaki and market areas."
"Avoid building in flood zones."
"Create vibrant town centres with bars and restaurants."

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Where we are

We value our connection to natural habitats and green spaces.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expressed a desire to have a thriving with protected natural areas and healthy biodiversity. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Working to enhance habitat protection, including at the beaches. Expanding green spaces and access to those spaces. Achieve predator-free status

Your ideas

"Embrace the 3-30-300 rule to increase greenery and tree cover."
"Support wildlife protection (plant and animal)."
"Implement better campfire controls."
"Designate significant natural spaces as reserves and limit vehicle access, making the main Ōtaki beach vehicle-free."

Climate

Climate

Where we are

We are committed to climate resilience and support community-driven sustainability efforts.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback reflects a desire for community-led climate adaptation and strong environmental stewardship has led to widespread climate-conscious behaviours. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Promoting sustainable practices. Developing and implement adaptation strategies. Educating the community about climate change facts.

Your ideas

"Make the recycling centre free."
"Reduce waste through clothing swaps and repair cafes."
"Enhance community understanding of climate change issues to inform decisions."
"Increase the number of rubbish bins in parks and walkways."
"Collaborate with Ngāti Raukawa to deliver more sustainable waste management."
"Manage and protect beaches."

Water/Ocean Health

Water / Ocean Health

Where we are

We are concerned about our natural freshwater and seawater quality.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expressed a need for resilient and healthy freshwater and seawater, and for the. design and development that preserves or restores waterways and wetlands. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Improving stormwater management. Managing saline intrusion into freshwater ecosystems. Designing principles and planning protect water quality.

Your ideas

"Build resilient stormwater systems and manage saline intrusion."

Partnership

Partnership

Ōtaki thrives on trust, collaboration, and through collaboratively achieving shared goals. The community values governance that reflects their voices and fosters partnerships that empower everyone. There is a desire for minimising costs and a focus on essential infrastructure to reduce impact on rates. The community supports diverse community initiatives and events, including celebrating local culture and belonging. 

Trust & Confidence

Trust and Confidence

Where we are

We call for increased transparency and better communication from the Council.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Community feedback expressed a desire to have trusted, transparent governance with strong community involvement. 

The shifts you want us to make 

Improving Council transparency, including around project costs. Establishing better ways of communicating more effectively with the community.

Your ideas

"Increase Council visibility and communication about local happenings."
"Focus on essential infrastructure projects with clear, measurable returns, transparency in spending, and prioritise community needs while preventing unnecessary expenditures."

Community Partnership

Community Partnership

Where we are

We want to improve community partnerships.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

Strong community partnerships influence decisions.

The shifts you want us to make 

Supporting valued community projects. Fostering partnerships with the community.

Your ideas

Click to listen community feedback 1
"Support community organisations and events such as food swaps, film festivals, and annual cultural events."
"Establish a dedicated community connector role to foster partnerships."

Shared Direction

Shared Direction

Where we are

We have a strong desire for inclusive, participatory decision-making processes.

Where you want us to be by 2060+

We have inclusive governance with regular community feedback and participation

The shifts you want us to make 

Fostering participatory decision-making.
Empowering the community board to the extent legally and corporately possible.

Your ideas

Your ideas

Click to listen community feedback 1
"Advocate for changes in the Local Government Act to grant decision-making authority to community boards for certain financial decisions."