At Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā, we believe in empowering our youth to weave their own paths, rooted in the strength of our community and the wisdom of our ancestors. Here, young people are nurtured to grow, explore, and reach their fullest potential.
Our vision is to create a vibrant space where rangatahi can connect, learn, and thrive—embracing their dreams, building resilience, and shaping a brighter future for themselves and our whānau. Dive in to discover how we’re making a difference, one young life at a time.
Keen to go to NYDS next year?
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Love drama and acting?
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Love performance?
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Get in touch with Te Whare Tapere o Ōpōtiki today!
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Keen to go to NYDS next year? 〰️ Love drama and acting? 〰️ Love performance? 〰️ Get in touch with Te Whare Tapere o Ōpōtiki today! 〰️
Congratulations to Zoe and Gabriella for an EPIC contribution at this year’s National Youth Drama School!
Some of our NYDS kotiro <3 Awesome noho marae with you girls :)
Shout out to our most loyal supporters! These two always come to our stall at markets and support our tamariki and rangatahi!
Whaea Alex came home to Ōpōtiki for two reasons -- one - her iramutu and siblings and two - to create Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā. This day she could fully be both -- kaupapa led and purely in Aunty Allie mode <3 #IramutuTrips
A HUGE thank you to Josh and Nicole for facilitating safe spaces for our feasibility study. We're incredibly thankful to you and appreciate your epic mahi with our young people!
Blank canvas... who wants to create magic with us here?
Our new planter boxes from ITM Ōpōtiki! Legends!! Ngā mihi!! #communitygarden
One of our many beautiful maunga -- ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au. This was Whaea Alex's first ever walk through Pirongia, her tupuna maunga. An absolutely magical experience. Patupaiarehe and waiata rising up.
Our VERY cool Te Tāhuhu o te Rangi Makerspace. Come check it out!
Two of our young people -- prepping for their different projects, fundraising for their trip and supporting each other in their market stall success.
We had an epic korero with Te Rau Ora for one of our milestone projects through the Rangatahi-Led Innovation Fund for Ōpōtiki Horizons Press!
Whanau-led kaupapa :)
Prepping for our Ōpōtiki Horizons Press kaupapa!
Poems, gifted to us during our first year. Reminding us to keep going and believing in ourselves.
Another epic day at the wharf! A good reminder that day too -- keep yourself safe with those slippery wooden poles! Don't jump off of them!!
Our community bbq saved by Matua Kenny - Whaea Alex's brother and Kingston, Mila and Jorjah's dad. Our bbq was still broken and he saved the day!!
Celebration for Whaea Alex's birthday and to welcome our feasibility study team - Josh and Nicole from Impact Consulting
Another epic kai with our AfterSchool CraftyVibes kids :)
Our epic young people! We found these old kiwifruit boards in the Māori Presbyterian Church. Whaea Moana said it was okay to use them and we sure did! Heaps of designing, decoupage and crafting. Some made breakfast trays for their whanau, others made some decorative shadow boxes for their rooms.
Our crew changes each Wednesday arvo. We're incredibly lucky to have such epic support, whanau engagement and connection.
Karakia mo te kai <3
Another market! This time out at Waiotahe Valley School Gala. An epic chance to connect with the Waiotahe kids!!
One of our tamariki -- freshly finished decorating his display book for all the design mahi, entrepreneur planning and literacy activities we do
Naaw! Check out these epic designs!
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April Holidays — Come to our Community BBQ and Easter Egg Hunt!
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Pop-Up Events happening throughout summer 2024/2025! Keep an eye on Social Media and check in with Whaea Alex at the Community Garden :)
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Impact Consulting are coming to Ōpōtiki! A huge thank you to NZ Lottery Minister’s Community Facility Fund for providing the funds to make this happen! #FeasibilityStudy
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Community Input Hui — Thurs 20th Feb 2-4pm and Fri 21st Feb 2-4pm
Come share your stories about why we need a youth centre!
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Community Organisations hui — Fri 21st 12-1.30pm
What do you wish we had here to do for Ōpōtiki Rangatahi?
“trampoline park!”
“dancing studio”
“Maccas”
“Basketball court”
How might our Rangatahi Give Back crew help in our community?
“Mow lawns for the kaumatua!”
“Can you create a community garden?”
“Brighter shop fronts and bustling town centre”
“Social Enterprise — Hazard Healers”
“Bring back positivity”
“Clean Tarawa Creek”
What are your dreams for Ōpōtiki Rangatahi?
“Safe connections with others”
“Being able to walk around in town without being yelled at or intimidated”
“Activities to do!”
“Safe space to hang out and someone to talk to when things get hard”
Upcoming events
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AfterSchool Vibes: CraftyVibes
Wednesdays - 4-6pm
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Rangatahi Give Back Crew: Tarawa Creek Clean Up Day
Let's clean up give back to our taiao.
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Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā - Support Letters
Community engagement event
Week 1 - April Holidays 2025
Week 2 - April Holidays
