Draft Awakeri Structure Plan | Tuhinga Hukihuki Mahere Hangatanga o Awakeri

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

Whakatāne District Council has prepared a draft Awakeri Structure Plan (Structure Plan) to help guide how the area could grow over time. It looks at where future homes, businesses, roads, parks, waterways and essential infrastructure could be located and how these could work together.

The draft Structure Plan builds on earlier growth planning, technical investigations and input from the Community Reference Group, mana whenua, landowners, stakeholders and partner agencies. We are now inviting the wider community to take a look and tell us what you think before the Structure Plan is finalised and considered by the Council.

The Structure Plan is a starting point rather than a detailed design. It does not rezone land, approve development or commit Council to funding or delivering infrastructure.

Why are we seeking feedback? | He aha mātau e uiui nei?

The draft Structure Plan has already been informed by technical work and earlier conversations about future growth in Awakeri. A Community Reference Group also met three times during 2026 to bring local knowledge, experience and perspectives into the planning process.

Now we want to hear from the wider community. Your feedback will help us understand whether the draft Structure Plan reflects what people value about Awakeri, whether we have the balance right and what may need to be changed or considered further before the plan is finalised.

What do we want to know? | Kei te whai mātau i te aha?

We want to know what you think about the overall direction of the draft Structure Plan, including its vision for Awakeri, environmental priorities, parks and community spaces, transport and connections, future housing and the identity of the area.

We’re also interested in how well you think the draft Structure Plan balances future growth with things such as productive land, natural hazards, environmental values, infrastructure needs and the qualities people value about Awakeri.

What happens after engagement closes? | Ka aha whai muri i te tūtakitakitanga?

Once engagement closes, feedback from the community will be considered alongside input from mana whenua, landowners, stakeholders and partner agencies, as well as the technical evidence supporting the draft plan.

The project team will consider whether changes are needed and report back on the key themes we heard and how they have been taken into account. The draft Structure Plan will then be finalised and presented to Council for consideration.

The final Structure Plan itself will not rezone land. If Council later decides to progress rezoning, this would require a separate statutory planning process with further opportunities for public participation.

Feedback closes at 5 pm on Friday, 16 October 2026.

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

Whakatāne District Council has prepared a draft Awakeri Structure Plan (Structure Plan) to help guide how the area could grow over time. It looks at where future homes, businesses, roads, parks, waterways and essential infrastructure could be located and how these could work together.

The draft Structure Plan builds on earlier growth planning, technical investigations and input from the Community Reference Group, mana whenua, landowners, stakeholders and partner agencies. We are now inviting the wider community to take a look and tell us what you think before the Structure Plan is finalised and considered by the Council.

The Structure Plan is a starting point rather than a detailed design. It does not rezone land, approve development or commit Council to funding or delivering infrastructure.

Why are we seeking feedback? | He aha mātau e uiui nei?

The draft Structure Plan has already been informed by technical work and earlier conversations about future growth in Awakeri. A Community Reference Group also met three times during 2026 to bring local knowledge, experience and perspectives into the planning process.

Now we want to hear from the wider community. Your feedback will help us understand whether the draft Structure Plan reflects what people value about Awakeri, whether we have the balance right and what may need to be changed or considered further before the plan is finalised.

What do we want to know? | Kei te whai mātau i te aha?

We want to know what you think about the overall direction of the draft Structure Plan, including its vision for Awakeri, environmental priorities, parks and community spaces, transport and connections, future housing and the identity of the area.

We’re also interested in how well you think the draft Structure Plan balances future growth with things such as productive land, natural hazards, environmental values, infrastructure needs and the qualities people value about Awakeri.

What happens after engagement closes? | Ka aha whai muri i te tūtakitakitanga?

Once engagement closes, feedback from the community will be considered alongside input from mana whenua, landowners, stakeholders and partner agencies, as well as the technical evidence supporting the draft plan.

The project team will consider whether changes are needed and report back on the key themes we heard and how they have been taken into account. The draft Structure Plan will then be finalised and presented to Council for consideration.

The final Structure Plan itself will not rezone land. If Council later decides to progress rezoning, this would require a separate statutory planning process with further opportunities for public participation.

Feedback closes at 5 pm on Friday, 16 October 2026.

Page last updated: 28 Sep 2026, 03:46 PM