The ideas listed here emerged from an informal community meeting organised by Grace Hoete to discuss positive ways of creating a safer community in Ōtaki.

Grace called for people to put their resources, time, input and action into this kaupapa, “because Ōtaki and our future generations deserve it”. 

The rangatahi – the youthful voice – at the meeting spoke about:

• needing things to do

• transportation to Porirua or Palmy. Why we asked? Because they have things to do there Ōtaki doesn’t

• Somewhere to chill out with stuff that we like; couches, food, boxing bags, gaming laptops, PCs, Logitech, TV, pool table, ping pong table, a space for day and night

• A safe space to hang out after 7pm till midnight for us older ones

• 24-hour arcade

• Zeal

• Paintballing day or night in the Pine Forest

• Go karts, drift track & dirt bikes & tracks.

The community ideas that came to light at the meeting, recorded verbatim include:

• Rangatahi leading rangatahi

• The development of a Rangatahi Council deciding what they need

• Identifying what youth want through opportunity

• Driving Skills Training

• Leadership training – identifying potential /role models

• Vocation days

• Mechanics

• Singing

• IT skills training

• Career building/gardening/connecting with the college

• A place to go at night

• Physical activities

  • Top Town

  • Amazing Race

  • Trolley races

  • Raft races

  • Weight-lifting training

  • Body building

  • Body & Soul Gym

  • Boxing club

  • Hip-hop dancing

• Bring Zeal into town (music training and recording, DJing)

• More KYS (Kāpiti Youth Service) services (only Tuesdays at the moment)

• Improve services, amenities and availability of services

• Level Up services so Ōtaki gets the same as Levin, Waikanae, Paraparaumu etc

• What’s on offer for youth and families, parks/facilities?

• Combine all rangatahi services (social, medical, counselling)

• Not having to go out of town to Levin or Paraparaumu for services

• Improve affordability for things – subsidies

• Normalising communication, voice opinions with respect and value

• Establish and encourage relationships within community

• Positive role models

• Regular events/meet ups

• Koha kai

• Parental responsibility for families

• Parental communication with their kids

• Youth, respect, adults to be role models – Listen!

• Open communication so youth can talk to adults and expect a civil answer

• Violence-free Ōtaki

• Safe space

• Budgeting – money management

• More art

• Venue

• Youth centre close to town

• Drug and alcohol counselling and education

• Creative cooking

• Meditation

• Skating rink

• Māori wardens

• Rangatahi being leaders

• Go-cart days

• Ōtaki Community Patrol

• Self healing/self respect

• Communication skills

• Parents/aunty/uncle participation

• Life skills

• Opportunities to learn how to do basic mechanics, building-construction training, panel beaters and trades

• Defensive driving courses.