At the heart of Ōrākei is a strong sense of community and connection, and a passion for protecting our environment. From empowering rangatahi to delivering inclusive events that bring neighbours together, Ōrākei Local Board plays an active role in enhancing community wellbeing.
Its support extends to maintaining safe and welcoming public spaces, investing in parks and recreational facilities, and promoting environmental sustainability.
We’re currently working on our plan for the next three years which will be shaped with the help of your feedback. Find out four ways we’ve been making our community a better place to live, and let us know what else you’d like to see!
1. Helping youth thrive
Youth of Ōrākei is a group of volunteers aged 15-20 who work together to improve the livelihoods of rangatahi (young people) in the area through various projects. Members are mainly recruited through local secondary schools.
In 2025, the organisation reached more than 8,000 local youth, creating meaningful opportunities for them to get out and be involved in the community.
Youth of Ōrākei is funded by Ōrākei Local Board.
Carols on the Green, Vellenoweth Green.
2. Celebrating Ōrākei together
Bringing the community together is a major focus for the board. Movies in Parks and Carols on the Green are family favourites suitable for everyone, creating opportunities for neighbours to connect and enjoy free events in our parks. Offering entertainment, food trucks, and plenty of kids’ activities, these are highlights of our calendar.
We also fund two biannual events to celebrate local businesses and environmental groups, and the annual St Heliers Anzac service and parade.
3. Keeping our community safe
In 2025, Ōrākei Local Board funded two council compliance warden roles for the local area. Their ultimate goal is to make public places safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Some of the activities they keep an eye on include parking on beaches, dog bylaws and registration, anti-social behaviour, illegal street trading, damage to parks and council-owned land, freedom camping and alcohol bylaws.
They work alongside our volunteer community patrols and police to bolster community safety.
Crossfield Reserve playground.
4. Caring for our parks and environment
Ōrākei is home to 122 parks and reserves, which are home to a variety of landscapes spanning wetlands to sports fields.
In 2025, we adopted our Local Parks Management Plan to help us make good decisions about how parks are used and protected. This was written after consultation with the community, and addresses what needs to be considered when developing and enhancing our parks.
Over the past three years, the board has funded new playgrounds at Crossfield Reserve in Glendowie and Michaels Avenue Reserve in Ellerslie.
We support healthy ecosystems and sustainability through local board-funded initiatives such as planting, pest control, stream and water quality enhancements.
Our environmental community groups help with much of this work, and we greatly appreciate their time and dedication!
Have your say
These are just some of the ways local investment is making a difference. We want to hear from you as your feedback helps shape what comes next for Ōrākei, visit akhaveyoursay.nz/localboardplans.