Ōtaki Kids Market, a space where young people discover entrepreneurship, express creativity, and gain real-world skills in a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment

Claire Roper, part of the Otaki Women's Community Group is helping to build a generation of eco-conscious young entrepreneurs in Otaki.

​

The Otaki Kids Market: This list celebrates visionary leaders driving transformational change. Highlighting individuals and teams pushing boundaries, shifting mindsets and setting new standards for what’s possible.

The Ōtaki Women’s Community Club is proud to be named a finalist in the Electra Business Awards, recognising its dedication to community, innovation, and local enterprise.

​Otaki Market: Finalist in the Wellington Airport Community Awards: Health and Wellbeing.

Otaki Kids Market: Winner in the Wellington Airport Community Awards: Child/Youth Development

Women's Group: Finalist in the Wellington Airport Community Awards, for Health and Wellbeing.

We were nominated for the NZEA Awards for a Community / Non-Profit Event under 3,000 people. For the Ōtaki Kids Market, 2024 Otaki Christmas Market and the 2024 Camping and Craft Expo. While we didn’t take home the top prize, we’re incredibly proud to have been nominated—and even more thrilled with the fantastic feedback we received from the judges!

The Otaki Women's Community Club was recognised by Volunteer Kapiti for their work within the community.

Claire Roper, Otaki Kids Market

This recognition, for the Ōtaki Kids Market, is a reflection of the hard mahi and commitment to voluntary work Claire and the market team have put into our awesome local market. The award-winning Ōtaki Kids Market is a whanau friendly event, supporting talented tamariki and rangatahi (5-19) to run and manage their own stalls.

Ōtaki Market

Winner of the Small Team category in the 2024 Workplace Excellence Award. When a workplace has a positive culture: People have energy. People have fun. People achieve lots together. And they feel good when they go home!

Ōtaki Women's Community Club and the Otaki Market

Chrissy Anderson has been named a finalist in the Kāpiti Coast District Council Good Sort Award, recognizing her incredible dedication to the Ōtaki Market and the Ōtaki Women’s Community Club. Her tireless efforts in supporting local businesses, fostering community connections, and driving initiatives that benefit the wider community have made her a true champion of Ōtaki.

Ōtaki Kids Market Stall Holders

Congratulations to Harper and Lana, two amazing young entrepreneurs from the Ōtaki Kids Market for being Outstanding Nominees in the 2024 Girl boss Awards!

Ōtaki Women's Community Club

Finalist in the Wellington Airport Community Awards, for Health and Wellbeing.

Ōtaki Kids Market

The Ōtaki Kids Market finalist in the Wellington Airport Community Awards, Education & Child/Youth Development.

Ōtaki Kids Market

Volunteers at the Ōtaki Kids Market. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and successful operation of this special event. With a passion for supporting young entrepreneurs and creating a fun and engaging experience for children and families, these volunteers dedicate their time and energy to various tasks before, during, and after the market.

Ōtaki Kids Market

It's the perfect platform for young minds to unlock their entrepreneurial talents, whether they're crafting handmade treasures or showcasing their baking prowess. Our Kids Market is more than just an event; it's a community celebration. Families from Horowhenua, Kapiti, and all-around Greater Wellington come together to support these young talents and share in the fun! Approx 80-90 young people take part.

Ōtaki Women's Community Club

Covid-19 had a significant impact on the Ōtaki Market, and with a downturn of stall holders and community support it was in danger of closing 12 months ago. The Ōtaki Women’s Community Club took up the challenge to revitalise the market back to its glory days.

Ōtaki Women's Community Club

A determined group of ladies aged from 40 to 90 years. Through fundraising activity including running the Ōtaki markets every second Sunday, they support the cultural, social and welfare needs of the Ōtaki Community. Wellington Airport, in partnership with Wellington Community Trust, and the five local councils have joined together to recognise the work carried out by community groups in the wider Wellington region. The focus of the Awards is to reward the valuable contribution made by volunteers.