Ōpōtiki District Council has launched Ōpōtiki Rising: Your Voice, Our Future, a two-month engagement programme aimed at gathering community ideas and feedback to help shape the district’s economic future.

The initiative is designed to be more than a traditional consultation process, focusing instead on community-led conversations about local aspirations, challenges and opportunities.

The programme will include events, workshops, think tanks, guest speakers, business networking, coastal drop-ins and one-on-one conversations to ensure a wide range of voices are heard.

Feedback gathered during the series will help shape the council’s economic development strategy, with a focus on sustainable growth, innovation, business development, tourism, training and local enterprise.

Council is encouraging participation from businesses, entrepreneurs, rangatahi, creatives, tourism operators, training providers, community groups and residents interested in Ōpōtiki’s future.

Ōpōtiki District Council chief executive Stace Lewer said the strategy would be developed alongside the community.

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

Planned events include Food for Thought dinner-table discussions, Sip & Scent with Jakob Carter exploring creativity and business growth, and Māori Enterprise & Wāhine in Business sessions featuring Māori Millionaire author Te Kahukura Boynton.

The council will also partner with the Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce for networking events and is exploring a “Meet a Business” concept with the Ōpōtiki RSA.

A Visitor Economy and Business Outlook Forum is also planned, bringing together tourism operators, industry representatives and economist Brad Olsen to discuss tourism trends and economic conditions.

Engagement coordinator Joseph Hayes said the programme aimed to make participation more accessible by taking conversations into everyday spaces rather than relying on formal meetings or lengthy surveys.

This approach was about hearing from people already contributing to the local economy, those with ideas, and those who may not usually see themselves as part of the conversation, he said.

Mr Hayes said the programme recognised the value of all forms of local enterprise, from side hustles and home-based businesses to tourism, Māori enterprise and community-led initiatives.

He will also be available for one-on-one discussions with businesses, organisations and residents wanting to share feedback directly.

Engagement events will run throughout June and July, with further details to be released through council channels.