About Elevate Ōtaki
Elevate Ōtaki’s focus is on how to elevate Ōtaki to the next level – economically and as a great place to live and visit.
What will future success look like? It will be a community that is thriving, and with a busy retail centre that is a destination in itself. This will be achieved while retaining the town's special and unique community character.
Brief history
In 2009 / 2010 when the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) first met with the Ōtaki Community Board (OCB) to discuss the planned Peka to Ōtaki Expressway, locals knew something had to happen as the congestion was a source of frustration.
The community board agreed that the way forward was to work collaboratively with NZTA to achieve the best outcome for the community. Since then the OCB has worked with NZTA and Kāpiti Coast District Council to negotiate funding to help Ōtaki mitigate the effects of the expressway during construction and beyond.
In 2017 Elevate Ōtaki was formed. It is made up of local people with a passion for the community and with a wealth of experience to volunteer their time to look at opportunities to promote Ōtaki as a destination and advise on how funds should be spent.
With the new road providing faster and safer travel, Elevate Ōtaki seeks to build on that, promoting the natural assets within the Ōtaki / Te Horo area, attracting businesses to set up here and encouraging visitors, tourists and shoppers to come and experience all that Ōtaki has to offer.
Elevate Otaki Group
Councillor James Cootes
James is Ōtaki Ward Councillor with a special interest in economic and youth development.
Christine Papps
Chris is Chair of the Ōtaki Community Board and has run several successful businesses.
Councillor Angela Buswell
Angela is a Kapiti District Councillor a successful business woman and owner of Superminx
Hanna Wagner-Nicholls
Hanna comes with a background in destination marketing and experiences to help ensure Ōtaki maximises opportunities.
Libby Hakaraia
Libby is well known for her extensive work in the indigenous film industry and bringing Māoriland Film Festival to Ōtaki and the world.
Sam Pritchard
Sam is a director of Land Matters. He brings extensive knowledge of industrial and commercial retail.
Mark Rudings
Mark has a background in business start-ups and business economics, and is establishing his own new business in Ōtaki.