Inspiring Communities has been working alongside Opotiki leaders over recent years, especially in support of the community's aspiration for a sustainable future through new industry and jobs for local people. For years, Opotiki has been struggling economically, and the population has been in decline. But this community is positive, determined, and working outside the square towards a viable and prosperous future. Already people in this District have become experts in Kiwifruit production, and Gold Kiwifruit orchards on Opotiki's East Coast have won national recognition for production and efficiency. This 'can do' approach is about to be applied to another area of food production for world markets - farming the sea.

Local Iwi, Te Whakatohea, (www.whakatohea.co.nz) have gained resource consent for a huge mussel farm off the Opotiki Coast, and commercial trials have commenced. This has taken a decade. The local community and Council are right behind Whakatohea's vision, and have supported the resource consent to develop the Opotiki Harbour (www.opotikiharbour.co.nz), which will be essential to commercialising the offshore farm.

These visions for Opotiki are strongly supported by New Zealand's first regional Aquaculture Strategy, and there is growing interest in the commercial opportunities both within New Zealand and internationally. Other shellfish and fin fish species are potentials for the future.

Community spirit and enterprise, and a down to earth "what can we do about this" approach seems ingrained in Opotiki people. Community leaders across the board are passionate about the community's future, and are especially supportive of supporting opportunities for, and the initiatives of local young people.

Following are three more great examples:

Kai from the Coast - a youth enterprise generating ongoing investment in local young people

In 2008 this award winning book was designed and produced by Opotiki College students as an entry to the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme. The business plan has succeeded and the book continues to sell well! Last year the College purchased the company which the students had formed, and has re-printed the colourful publication. Profits from ongoing sales are re-invested in support of other Young Enterprise Scheme initiatives. Take a look at some examples on the Student Achievement pages on the Opotiki College website (see the links on right hand side on home page).

Retired local schoolteacher, Margaret Green, oversees the sales. "We are very lucky that three Opotiki shops - Tangata Whenua, Paper Plus and Teddy's Stationery all sell it for the College. They do not take anything for doing that. They just do it in support of the College and we are very grateful for this. Whitcoulls in Whakatane and the White House Café and Gallery at Paroa also sell it for us on this basis."

Click to view the Kai from the Coast flyer PDF: Kai from the Coast (197.18 kB)

Opotiki Youth Art Murals - Bountiful Outcomes - and a fledging community enterprise to generate funds for more Murals

These images are parts of a huge mural at the Opotiki Port. It portrays the young people's image of Tangata Whenua sailing into Opotiki on the left, and their vision for a youth led Opotiki Mussel factory in the future, on the right.

When artist Shona Hammond-Boys shifted to Opotiki "for the quiet life and to develop a Monet garden around my cottage", local policeman Ian Dodds found out she was in town. And he wasted no time in enlisting her skills alongside others who work with children and young people in Opotiki, using art as a medium.

The results are manifold - engaging young people of all ages from local schools and organisations, forging new friendships and relationships, building new skills and confidence - and creating stunning art in public places which convey the rich tapestry of Opotiki and its environment. In terms of community safety, the rates of tagging and of youth crime have substantially decreased, and local people and police leaders attribute this in great part to the Murals Project.

A published book tells some of the story (see the New Zealand Children's Art House Foundation Trust website) and this summer, guided walks around the murals in the township provided entertainment and a great learning experience for visitors to Opotiki. The guided walks, at $5 per person, and the book at $18.95 per copy, generate funds which are ploughed back into a savings plan for the next Opotiki Youth Murals.

Inspiring Communities will bring a more indepth story about the murals in the near future.

Small Community Enterprise - optimising local strengths and relationships in communities with few resources - the Opotiki Water Park Development

Having adventurous activity options for young people and families is a "must" for Opotiki people. Local leaders across the board recognise the need for physical activity and adventure - especially for young people. In 2007 Opotiki's Mudslide became a magnet not only for locals, but for a growing visitor industry with an emphasis on family fun. (See TVNZ's 2007 coverage and a story on the Corrections Department website about inmates' contribution)

Three years on, when the decision to close the mudslide was taken, local leaders were determined to have another option ready for the summer months, even though time was very short. Great relationships among local contractors, engineers, concrete makers, builders enabled a rapid build stage, once the consents were approved by the regional and district councils. And in time for Christmas 2009, a fantastic water park was created, just two blocks away from the town centre on the Otara River, upstream from the Opotiki Port. There is a floating pontoon to swim to, a waterslide and rope swings.

Size does matter, when it comes to communities. In smaller communities there can more easily be opportunities for local people to participate in conversations, contribute to decisions, and to help with implementation, and these all assist with community-building.

Leadership matters too! And in the spirit of adventure, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Opotiki helped to "open" the Opotiki Water Park by taking the plunge!

Click to read the Opotiki District Council's media release on the Water Park: Opotiki Water Park Development media-releaseDec09 (10.18 kB)

Deputy Mayor Selby Fisher, Mayor John Forbes, Whakatohea Kaumatua Te Riaki Amoamo (and Santa)

Mayor Forbes was a speaker at the recent Community Economic Development conference, held in Waitakere. To know more about this, see the article Communities come together to share enterprising ideas. There are links to Mayor Forbes' and other presentations at the end of the item.