The Ōtaki Market, a vibrant hub for local businesses and community spirit, is dedicated to promoting sustainability and supporting eco-friendly stallholders. With a focus on environmental responsibility, many of the market’s vendors emphasize sustainable practices, offering products that are locally sourced, handmade, and environmentally conscious.
Sustainable stall holders
Pre-loved products
In addition to new products, we have four second-hand stalls that breathe new life into old items.
Recycled or upcycled...
For those who love unique crafts, our stallholders feature an impressive selection of art made from recycled or upcycled materials.
Handmade Garden Art
Garden enthusiasts will find plenty of inspiration with our selection of garden art, which includes natural canvases like shells and air plants.
Waste stations
To support the Otaki Market’s commitment to sustainability and waste reduction, we have implemented a comprehensive rubbish and recycling plan, especially tailored for larger events. This plan prioritizes waste diversion, recycling, and minimizing landfill contributions.
We partnered with the No. 49 District of Kapiti Squadron, Air Training Corps, we ensure effective waste management through organized recycling stations and community involvement.
Honouring Our History Through Sustainability
The original Ōtaki Market sign was created in 1996 by the very first market team and remains proudly in use today. We have chosen to keep and maintain this sign as a mark of respect for the people who established the market and built its strong community foundations.
Rather than replacing it, we see it as both a symbol of our history and a practical commitment to sustainability, reusing and preserving what already exists while celebrating the legacy of those who came before us.
Locally sourced products
Locally sourced products are at the heart of the Ōtaki Market, reflecting our dedication to supporting the community and promoting sustainability.
Eco friendly signage
At the Ōtaki Market, we try where possible to weave sustainability into our operations, from the products on offer to the way we communicate with our visitors.
One of the most visible examples of this commitment is our eco-friendly signage, which combines recycled materials, hand-painted designs, and our stall holders using the timeless charm of chalkboards.
Sustainable gift wrapping station at Christmas
Enjoy sustainable gift wrapping this December at the Otaki Market. Our team is on hand to wrap any of your Christmas presents using a range of sustainable wrapping solutions. All are welcome to bring their gifts down to wrapped, from home, shops on the highway or in the township.
Big shout out to Otaki Hammer Hardware for donating sellotape and big thanks to members of the community for donating gift paper, bags, boxes and ribbons!
All funds raised go to the Otaki Women's Community Club, a charity who donate all proceeds back into the Community.
sustainability at the kids market
School-based business workshops
We run engaging, hands-on workshops at local schools, inspiring students to explore entrepreneurship with a focus on sustainability.
Workshop Highlights
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Eco-Friendly Product Creation – Students use repurposed and natural materials to develop unique products.
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Mini Business Experience – Teams brainstorm ideas, choose a business name, and present their products.
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Essential Business Skills – Covers customer service, ethical pricing, and money management.
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Confidence & Creativity – Encourages innovation in a fun, supportive environment.
These workshops equip students with financial literacy and a commitment to sustainable business practices while fostering creativity and teamwork.
Ōtaki Kids Market Named in the Sustainable Business Network Next List
The Next List, now in its second year, is an annual showcase of New Zealand’s leading sustainable innovators. They are the finalists in the Sustainable Business Awards. The list highlights the people, projects and organisations driving bold, potentially transformative change.
SUSTAINABILITY at the kids market
Make, Bake, Create
The market encourages young entrepreneurs to use upcycled, recycled, and eco-friendly materials in their products, helping to instill a sense of environmental stewardship from an early age. By focusing on these values, the Kids Market is not just teaching kids about business but also about the importance of caring for their environment and community.
collaborations
Māoriland and the Ōtaki Market team up
The collaboration between Māoriland and the Ōtaki Market for the Matariki Street Party was a celebration of local culture and creativity. The Ōtaki Market provided 13 stalls, showcasing a diverse range of offerings, from native trees, New Zealand products to locally made crafts and Māori-themed craft. The brief from Maoriland was to have products, which connect with the earth, are sustainable, at one with nature or are local producers and plastic free.
Prizes and competitions
We collaborate with local businesses to provide sustainable prizes for market giveaways and raffles,
focusing on vouchers, locally made products, plants, reusable items, and handmade goods instead of disposable prizes.
Sustainable September with Kapiti Coast District Council
The Ōtaki Market's Sustainable stallholders feature an array of eco-friendly products, from recycled and upcycled art and crafts to organic, spray-free citrus fruit. Locally grown native trees with homemade compost and reusable packaging are available, along with second-hand goods and items crafted from locally sourced materials. Come and chat with our stallholders!
We have a huge list of stall holders who use sustainable, recycled and upcycled products
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Native trees (grown locally, handmade compost and recycled packaging)
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Kuku Creative (using locally sourced materials to make bone carving products)
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Plenty of garden Art (using natural canvas such as shells and air plants)
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Art and craft products using recycled materials
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Spray free citrus fruit
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Plants and seedlings
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Four 2nd hand stalls giving old products a new lease of life
Strawberry planting with Bunnings Warehouse
The Ōtaki Market has forged valuable partnerships with sustainable organizations, deepening its commitment to environmental education and community engagement. Among these partnerships is Bunnings, which recently hosted a hands-on activity where young participants could pot their own strawberry plants.
This activity was more than just fun; it was an educational experience that taught children about the life cycle of products, from planting seeds to harvesting fruit, fostering a connection to nature and an understanding of sustainability.
