The importance of the role the local economy plays in sustaining communities in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area has been recognised in the adoption of the board’s 2023 plan.
Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says communities that are strong economically can thrive, supporting the goals residents have for their each other and the wider community.
“In adopting the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Plan 2023 we have put a focus on the economy, but not one with grand language and aims.
“We have kept it simple and committed to working so that our residents thrive by being supported to develop and achieve their education, career, and business goals.
“Only by having people actively engaged in their communities and the local economies that supports, can our people and businesses prosper together.”
Community feedback has been used to shape the plan, just one of the 21 required by law and produced every three years by local boards across the city.
It sets out the board’s priorities for the remainder of its term, on top of the economic focus, also listing:
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Māori outcomes
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Climate action
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Our people
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Our environment
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Our community
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Our places.
Autagavaia says better Māori outcomes will be supported through projects including co-governance partnerships, working with mana whenua to re-establish traditional Māori names for local parks and places, and programmes that promote te reo and te ao Māori.
“Our residents told us they expect us to play a role in climate action and the environment too, so we have recognised mana whenua as kaitiaki of our environments, and will enable community places such as libraries and churches to become information hubs.
“We have been sent a clear message to care, protect and enhance our natural environment and to do that by ensuring there are more trees, and by partnering with mana whenua and communities around sustainability.”
But Autagavaia says while the economy, climate action and the environment are all areas that affect people, those same people must come first.
“Our people and our communities are our greatest resource.
“We will work hard throughout the remainder of our term to support people while celebrating the diversity of the community with programmes that encourage people to be active and engaged.
“That’s especially true for rangatahi, and we also have a focus on enabling community-led delivery of projects and events so that no group is left behind.
“We want our programmes and facilities to be accessible to all so that our growing and changing community is well served with attractive spaces and open green areas.”
The plan is here.
