Ōtaki Market nominated for nzea award

The heart of Ōtaki is beating a little prouder this month, as the Ōtaki Market has been entered into the prestigious New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) Awards. Among them The Best Non Profit Community Event —a category that honours events attracting fewer than 3,000 participants but delivering exceptional impact through community connection, local engagement, or cause-driven purpose.

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!

Ōtaki Kids Market

The Ōtaki Kids Market is a unique community event designed to support and empower young entrepreneurs. First launched in 2023, the market provides tamariki and rangatahi with the opportunity to create, market, and sell their own products, learning valuable business and entrepreneurial skills in a hands-on environment. With a strong focus on fostering creativity, independence, and resilience, the Kids Market aims to build confidence and offer a platform for young people to showcase their talents to the local community.

"What a great initiative by a wonderful community group. Early exposure to business thinking is a great way to foster an industrious future generation. Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu!”

“Thank you for submitting your market entry. I loved reading about the incredible work you have been doing to uplift the skills and aspirations of all the market stall holders. Your entrepreneurial movement clearly demonstrates a strong commitment to empowering individuals and community. Keep up the fantastic work your dedication is making a meaningful difference!”

2024 Christmas Market

The Ōtaki Christmas Market is an event that brings festive cheer to the heart of Ōtaki, rekindling the spirit of the traditional family Christmas markets from the 1980s. The vision behind this special day was to revive a wholesome community celebration—one where families come together to shop, connect, and enjoy the magic of the season.

“Otaki seems very fortunate to have such a proactive and passionate Women's club. Great to see a resurgence of a traditional local experience being brought back to life.”

“Thank you for your Ōtaki Christmas Market entry. The revival of a lost classic looks like it was a huge success. Challenging yourselves with such a tiny online marketing budget set a real test, which you met head-on. Your community spirit and commitment to engagement truly shine through.”

2024 Camping and Craft Expo

2024 Craft and Camping Expo spanned two days, and partnered with legends Otaki Hunting and Fishing. Their hands-on demos, expert advice, and outdoor workshops were a huge hit—captivating both seasoned campers and curious newcomers. More than just an event, the Craft and Camping Expo became a celebration of community spirit, local talent, and shared passions—making this year’s edition truly unforgettable.

“What a great way to innovate your already well established market in Otaki. It sounds like it was a great success combining camping, fishing and crafting.”

“Congratulations on achieving double your targeted attendance- it's clearly hit a gap in the local market to attract 70% from outside of Otaki.”