Two Ōtaki organisations and one helping local families have received funding from Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Social Investment Fund. 

Energise Ōtaki receives $150,000 for its Bright Futures programme; Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki has $75,000 to provide a safe space for the community; and Birthright Levin receives $45,820 to restrengthen and maintain its presence in Ōtaki to support single caregiver families.

Energise Ōtaki, having expanded capability since 2018, is now moving into the next phase, focusing on three strategic action areas. Called “Bright Futures 2022-2025”, the interlinked initiatives tie to both social outcomes and climate action: Owning Our Carbon Footprint, Warm up Ōtaki and Beyond, and Growing our Carbon Capture Forest.

Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki  responds to community needs by providing safe, warm and accessible spaces where the community can meet. It’s based on a simple concept ʻ create the space and the community will come.

Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki already has people dropping in for vaccinations and staying on a lot longer to enjoy a cuppa and catch up with others. This will be extended to providing extra activities, including access to the internet and printers, and providing safe spaces where people feel connected. Government agencies and other organisations will be able to tap into the space.

Birthright believes that all children have the right to a happy, secure and loving home environment. It wants to strengthen and maintain its presence in Ōtaki to ensure sustainable support of the concept of “whānau led by one person”.

It entails working with local parents to design a project that will have a lasting effect in their community.

The  $1 million three-year fund is available for not-for-profit organisations, iwi and hapū. In total there were nine Kāpiti initiatives selected as recipients of the 2022-25 Social Investment Fund.  Other successful applicants were:

•  He Tāngata Village Trust $45,820: towards wages for a coordinator

•  Kāpiti Youth Support: $150,000 for Project Youth

•  Manaaki Kāpiti: $149,760 for a kai hub

•  Paekākāriki Pride Inc: $21,000 for the Pride Festival

•  Greater Wellington Neighbourhood Support: $157,600 to re-establish their presence in Kāpiti

•  Volunteer Kāpiti/ Kāpiti Impact Trust: $240,000 to move into phase two of the Capable Sector project.

For more information, visit kapiticoast.govt.nz and search for “social investment"