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"We want to create a way of working as a whole community, agencies and us together, that creates hope and optimism"
Georgie Thompson, Ruapotaka Marae, Tamaki

Opotiki

Building blocks for better future- what we are learning

Inspiring Communities (IC) is a non-profit trust that supports initiatives and policies that strengthen local communities, and their capacity to take leadership. Working at local, regional and national levels IC is intent on building the knowledge, understanding and practice of community-led development, and noticing the real and sustainable differences which these approaches can make. (See www.inspiringcommunities.org.nz )

It is challenging to be optimistic in these difficult times. Our connectedness through media confronts us daily with information which does not bode well for the earth’s natural resources, traditional cultures, our economies, and our local communities. However, if we look to our past, in order to learn for our future, even in times of great adversity communities have survived. Communities survived, not just individuals, and they did so by adapting and re-organising to newly changed conditions.

We are seeing evidence around the world of a movement to “bring community back to the centre” around the many complex issues nations are currently facing. Sustainable solutions to huge and complex issues (such as the survival of traditional cultures, the protection and enhancement of natural resources and plentiful food, or climate change and peak oil) cannot be addressed through policy and legislation alone, but are dependent on people making changes together at local levels. Countless attempts to focus significant change solely through large scale institutional or structural arrangements have not succeeded.

Aquaculture and Opotiki – the future’s looking bright

August 2011

The forward looking vision of Whakatohea Iwi and Opotiki people was celebrated and acknowledged at a public event in August, co-hosted by Whakatohea Maori Trust Board and Opotiki District Council.

Seventy-five people packed the Council Chambers to hear about progress towards a viable local aquaculture industry for the District, which has for years been in population decline due to loss of industry.

The meeting heard that determined investment by the Iwi and their business partners in securing offshore water space, and investigating the commercial viability of species is revealing positive news. Trials to grow mussels at the site which is eight kilometres off the Opotiki Coast are producing high levels of local spat (young shellfish) and great quality unique mussels – and they are growing at a rate more than double what was anticipated. This is great news, and the meeting was informed that current business plans estimate the need for 228 positions to operate the core business within five years of starting, rising to 547 by year twelve. These estimates do not include all of the additional jobs which will be necessary to support the industry.

Opotiki youth honour officer with Mural

July 2011

Opotiki is becoming known for its amazing murals created by local young people, and now has one more - pictured below, and now hanging in the Police Station.

Opotiki’s Shona Hammond-Boyes honoured for celebrating children

July 2011

A visit to Washington DC has seen the realisation of a long held dream for an Opotiki woman.

Shona Hammond-Boyes has recently returned from the US capital, having received a President's Volunteer Services Award (Shona is pictured with this and her Queens Service medals below in Opotiki News item). It recognises her many years of support for the World Festival of Children.

Opotiki’s aquaculture development highlighted on international stage

On 16 March, Local Government NZ President Lawrence Yule addressed the Commonwealth Local Government Forum conference. His speech was titled The Role Of Local Government In Energising Local Economies. Mayor Yule (of Hastings District Council) discussed some of the challenges facing local government in its efforts to support local economic development, and outlined LGNZ’s five-point framework for the sector, which is underpinned by “sustainability, place shaping, and Māori”.

Highlighted as one of two examples of innovative and successful approaches by local government was Opotiki’s aquaculture development, where Mayor Yule cited the “…enabling and can-do attitude in local government, central government, iwi, organisations and agencies…” which had overcome roadblocks and resulted in economic benefits for the region.

The full speech can be viewed at the LGNZ website http://www.lgnz.co.nz/news/pr1300654410.pdf.

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