Local Services Mapping: Opotiki
Opotiki District is centred on the town of Opotiki on the eastern coast of the Bay of Plenty. About half of the district’s population of just over 9,000 people live in the Opotiki Township with the remainder living in smaller outlying communities. There are twenty marae in the district, which are a focal point for local communities, along with a number of strong farming, lifestyle and coastal settlements.
This report is the result of collaboration between Opotiki District Council, Family and Community Services, community providers and the Opotiki Social Wellbeing Forum (which comprises representatives from local government, central government and Iwi).
The Social Wellbeing Forum shares the Opotiki District Council's vision for the district: 'Strong Community - Strong Future', with a desire to support initiatives that build a strong community spirit, and economic growth.
Responses from questionnaires, workshop feedback and meeting minutes were used to identify the following key social priorities for Opotiki:
- Lack of access to and information about helping services
- Perceived limited community leadership
- Rural isolation and related issues
- Poor parenting skills
- Limited opportunities for engagement of young people
- Lack of after hours emergency services
- Unemployment
- Families experiencing multiple social problems
- Drug and alcohol use
- Family violence.
Stock take of services
Social services in Opotiki district
The Family Services Directory is an online directory of support services and programmes available to families throughout New Zealand.
For a listing of services available in Opotiki District, simply click 'Go', or use the 'add keyword' option to refine your search. Once on the 'results' page, you can use the 'display options' to show only those service providers that are physically located in Opotiki.
