Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā
Where rangatahi lead, create and belong
A kaupapa of Te Ariroa Evolutions Charitable Trust - nurturing creativity, leadership and connection across Ōpōtiki. We offer a range of activities, programmes and workshops for our tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and kaumatua which help grow confidence, creativity and community wellbeing.
Our Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā helps bridge gaps between community, kura and whānau — building stronger connections, support networks and shared opportunities for us all.
Kia ora! Nau mai ki mātou Pā Harakeke!
Te Ariroa Evolutions Charitable Trust is a community-focused kaupapa based in Ōpōtiki, dedicated to empowering tamariki and rangatahi through creative workshops, diverse opportunities, and access to essential services.
We aim to uplift our community by nurturing untapped potential, supporting personal growth, and fostering a sense of collective wellbeing.
Our Purpose
We exist to:
Create spaces like the Te Ariroa Evolutions Hub and Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā where tamariki and rangatahi can learn, create, and thrive in a safe, supportive, kaupapa Māori environment.
Empower our young people to connect deeply with culture and identity.
Strengthen whānau and community values by nurturing leadership, confidence, and collective responsibility.
Walk alongside local whānau as they navigate the challenges of raising tamariki.
Bring back the village — surrounding our future leaders with aroha, opportunity, and guidance.
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To advance education by establishing and operating Te Ariroa Evolutions hub and Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pǎ for the purpose of providing educational, cultural, recreational, and social activities to local tamariki in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment;
To be beneficial to the community by empowering and enriching our tamariki's connection to their cultural identity and kaupapa Maori;
To advance education by strengthening local whanau and community values in our youth by investing time and instilling leadership values into our Rangatahi;
To be beneficial to the community by providing support to local whanau navigating the challenges that are raising tamariki, and specifically in the Opotiki district and surrounding areas;
To advance education and leadership values of our rangatahi, by ensuring that the idea of a 'village' raising our future leaders is achieved.
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Operate the Te Ariroa Evolutions Hub and Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā to provide educational, cultural, recreational and social activities for local tamariki in safe, supportive and nurturing environments.
Empower cultural identity by strengthening tamariki and rangatahi connection to kaupapa Māori.
Advance education and leadership by investing time, mentoring and opportunities that grow community and whānau values in our rangatahi.
Support local whānau as they navigate the challenges of raising tamariki in the Ōpōtiki district and surrounding areas.
Uplift collective responsibility — bringing back the “village” that raises our future leaders.
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Our purpose comes to life through the mahi we do every day — creating safe, creative and empowering spaces for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
We bring our values into action by:
Hosting workshops and wānanga that grow confidence and connection
Supporting rangatahi leadership and creative expression
Collaborating with kura, community groups and local businesses
Providing opportunities to learn, share, and celebrate our stories
It’s not just about programmes — it’s about strengthening our village and walking alongside our people with aroha, purpose, and hope.
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Our kaupapa is lived through everyday acts of creativity, connection and care. We walk alongside our community to:
Empower rangatahi to lead and express themselves
Support whānau wellbeing and collective growth
Honour tikanga and mātauranga Māori in everything we do
Build bridges between generations, kura, and community
The moon phase Ariroa reminds us that growth is a long pathway — one that moves through high tides and quiet waters alike, guided by imagination, reflection, and shared responsibility.
Follow us on our socials!
Join our FB Group Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā
Join our Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā Discord
Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou!
We’re grateful to every organisation, funder, local business and whanau who has believed in our kaupapa and invested in our community.
Yout support helps us provide workshops, kai, programmes, and creative spaces for rangatahi and whānau across Ōpōtiki. Together, we’re growing a village where everyone has the chance to thrive. From funding to koha, volunteering, and everyday awhi - every act of support strengthens our village.
Together, we’re lifting each other, nurturing leadership, and growing a community where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Every workshop, wānanga, and community event begins with aroha — but behind the scenes, it takes power bills, leases, admin, and countless unpaid hours to keep the kaupapa alive.
By supporting Te Ariroa Evolutions Charitable Trust, you help sustain the foundation that keeps our mahi flowing. Operational funding covers the essentials - rent, power, admin, kai, and coordination - so our kaimahi can focus on what matters most: growing confident, creative, and connected rangatahi.
Your koha helps us:
Keep our safe spaces open and welcoming
Offer free or low-cost workshops and wānanga
Provide kai, resources and creative opportunities
Support paid roles for local kaimahi
Build sustainable systems for long-term impact
Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā is more than a space — it’s a movement led by young people, grounded in culture, and woven with community. Together, we can make sure our pā harakeke continues to thrive for generations to come.
Thank you to our sponsors, funders and whanau who make this kaupapa possible!
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Focus:
AfterSchool Vibes, Ōpōtiki Horizons Press, Rangatahi Redeemers, Rangatahi Programmes, mentoring, hauora, and leadership.
Funders & Sponsors:ODC Creative Communities Scheme
Lottery Minister’s Community Facility Fund
Tū Manawa (Sport BOP)
Pass it Forward
Eastern Bay Community Foundation
Inspiring Stories
Marnie Anstis Literacy Fund
Te Rau Ora - Rangatahi-Led Innovation Fund
Gift Collective
Local whānau volunteers
Kura Collaborators: Ōpōtiki Primary School, Ōpōtiki College, Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui, Waiotahe Valley Kura, Ōhope Beach School
St John’s Church (venue host)
Māori Presbyterian Church (venue host)
Magnus Lennie Ltd (transport support)
Royal Hotel Ōpōtiki (Quiz Night host)
Their support helps us grow confident, connected rangatahi through creative, physical, and leadership-based wānanga.
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Focus:
Family support, kai sharing, safe spaces, community connection, and volunteering.
Funders & Sponsors:St John’s Church
RSA Ōpōtiki
Eastbay REAP
Local whānau, māmā, pāpā, kuia, koro, and volunteers
These Kaupapa Partners help us nurture collective wellbeing — ensuring whānau are supported, seen, and celebrated.
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Focus:
Tarawa Creek restoration, garden projects, and outdoor learning.
Funders & Sponsors:BOP Regional Council (future planning andactive discussions)
Tarawa Creek Community Care Group
Local whānau and rangatahi volunteers
Bunnings Whakatāne (materials koha)
Court Kings & local sports groups
Together we care for Papatūānuku and teach rangatahi the importance of protecting and honouring our whenua.
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Focus:
Ōpōtiki Horizons Press, podcast studio, creative literacy, and digital storytelling.
Funders & Sponsors:Te Rau Ora
Gift Collective
Local artists and writers (Marnie Anstis, Nikki Slade Robinson, Rilee Mae Gillies, Zoe Haimona, Anubhav Sarkar, Alex Le Long)
Eastern Bay Community Fund - Marnie Anstis Fund
Eastbay REAP (venue host and kaupapa partner)
Their investment lets us celebrate the voices of our rangatahi through art, media, and indigenous innovation.
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Focus:
Feasibility study, building a youth centre (Pā Harakeke), long-term sustainability and governance.
Funders & Sponsors:Lottery Minister’s Community Facilities Fund
Impact Consulting
Gift Collective (financial hosting)
Eastern Bay Community Foundation
Te Ariroa Evolutions Trustees & Advisors
Tamariki and Rangatahi, our ŌRP OG Crew and the many young people we’ve connected with that have inspired us to help make this dream a reality
These supporters are helping us bring our long-term vision — the Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā — to life.
Te Ariroa Evolutions Charitable Trust
We are a group of community members who want to lift the collective consciousness of our community, support each other to raise a village, look after our future rangatira and ensure the whispers of our tūpuna are heard and enacted.
TAECT Trustees
Alex Le Long
Paddy Moore
Kathleen Sanft
Joseph Biddle
Te Ariroa Evolutions
“You are your tupuna’s wildest dream. Keep growing. Keep surviving. Start thriving!”
“Look back and take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. Poho kereru ki a koe!”