Awakeri Community Reference Group

Thank you for your interest - submissions closed on Monday, 15 September 2025. 

Elected Members will review all feedback before making a final decision on whether to sell the proposed properties. Updates will be shared through our website and Council channels.

Help plan for the future of Awakeri

Whakamaheretia te āpōpō o Awakeri

Early conversations with Awakeri locals in August 2025 highlighted a strong desire to be involved early and meaningfully in planning for the area’s future. Establishing a Community Reference Group is one way we’re responding to that feedback and ensuring the community is part of the journey from the start. The group will include around 20 Awakeri residents, business owners, landowners and community representatives who will come together for three facilitated sessions at key stages of the project.

The group will:

  • Bring community values and local knowledge into the planning process
  • Help define what “good growth” looks like for Awakeri
  • Test emerging ideas
  • Provide feedback on early concept designs
  • Highlight potential unintended consequences

All feedback and ideas from the Community Reference Group will be documented and provided to the project team. Key themes and recommendations will be reflected in project reporting and used to inform the draft Structure Plan.

What's happening? | E aha ana te aha?

The Community Reference Group brings together local residents, business owners, landowners, and community voices to share insights, identify what matters to the community, and help develop the Awakeri Structure Plan (as experts on Awakeri). Members help ensure local knowledge is clearly represented in the project. They will work collaboratively to refine ideas that will improve the look, function, and feel of Awakeri and what is needed for the next 5, 10 and 30 years and beyond

How can I be involved? | Me pēhea e hono ai?

You can nominate yourself or someone else to be on the Community Reference Group. Putting your name forward is an opportunity to participate and help shape the future of your Awakeri. As a key voice, the Community Reference Group will dive into three design style workshops to provide advice and recommendations to the Whakatāne District Council to better inform the design and opportunities for a future Awakeri. You will need to be available for all three workshops. These will take place in April, May and June 2026.

You can find out more by visiting whakatane.govt.nz/awakeri


Nominations close at 4 pm on Monday, 30 March 2026

Help plan for the future of Awakeri

Whakamaheretia te āpōpō o Awakeri

Early conversations with Awakeri locals in August 2025 highlighted a strong desire to be involved early and meaningfully in planning for the area’s future. Establishing a Community Reference Group is one way we’re responding to that feedback and ensuring the community is part of the journey from the start. The group will include around 20 Awakeri residents, business owners, landowners and community representatives who will come together for three facilitated sessions at key stages of the project.

The group will:

  • Bring community values and local knowledge into the planning process
  • Help define what “good growth” looks like for Awakeri
  • Test emerging ideas
  • Provide feedback on early concept designs
  • Highlight potential unintended consequences

All feedback and ideas from the Community Reference Group will be documented and provided to the project team. Key themes and recommendations will be reflected in project reporting and used to inform the draft Structure Plan.

What's happening? | E aha ana te aha?

The Community Reference Group brings together local residents, business owners, landowners, and community voices to share insights, identify what matters to the community, and help develop the Awakeri Structure Plan (as experts on Awakeri). Members help ensure local knowledge is clearly represented in the project. They will work collaboratively to refine ideas that will improve the look, function, and feel of Awakeri and what is needed for the next 5, 10 and 30 years and beyond

How can I be involved? | Me pēhea e hono ai?

You can nominate yourself or someone else to be on the Community Reference Group. Putting your name forward is an opportunity to participate and help shape the future of your Awakeri. As a key voice, the Community Reference Group will dive into three design style workshops to provide advice and recommendations to the Whakatāne District Council to better inform the design and opportunities for a future Awakeri. You will need to be available for all three workshops. These will take place in April, May and June 2026.

You can find out more by visiting whakatane.govt.nz/awakeri


Nominations close at 4 pm on Monday, 30 March 2026