Opotiki District Council

**Council's priorities and future direction include our vision, values and strategy.****Council's Vision for the district is: 'Strong Community - Strong Future'. ****Council's values are:** **Ngakau- tapatahi me te Pononga | Integrity and Honesty** Kaore matou a marie i a matou uaratanga a, ka mahi i roto i te huatanga matatika i nga wa katoa. | We will not compromise our values and will act in a trustworthy manner at all times. **Manakuratanga | Leadership** Ka kakama matou i roto i nga take e pa ana ki to tatou iwi whanui ma te whakahaere tikanga, ma te kanohi, kai tautoko arahitanga me te whakaaro. | We will take an active role in issues that affect our community by providing governance, representation, advocacy, guidance and opinion. **Mahorahora me nga Herenga | Openness and Accountability** Ka whakahaeretia a matou mahi i roto i te aria kia kitea ai e te iwi whanui a, kia mohiotia a matou mahinga me nga tutukitanga me te whakaae ano mo aua kawenga. | We will conduct our affairs in a way that allows the community to see and understand our actions and achievements and we will accept responsibility for them. **Tokeke me te Ture o te Tika | Fairness and Equity** Ka mahi matou ia hua ai ka orite te whiwhi mea angitu o te katoa me te noho tokeke i roto i iaga whakatinanatanga o uga kaupapa. | We will act to ensure all have equal opportunities and that we will be unbiased in the implementation of policies. **Whakatutukitanga Whakawaiatanga | Achievements Orientated** Ka whiwhi hua i roto i te auaha me te ngawaritanga. | We will gain results in a timely, innovative and economic manner. **Tikanga Tutohungatanga | Relationships** Ka manako matou i te wahi motuhake o te Tangata Whenua i roto i te iwi whanui a me te whakarite ano i nga kitenga rereketanga, me nga uaratanga o to tatou iwi whanui. | We will acknowledge the special place of Tangata Whenua in our community and respect the different views and values of our community. **Tumanako Manawareka | Satisfying Expectations** Ka ahei tonu matou kia mohio ki nga tumanako o to tatou iwi kainga me te whakamatau kia taea te tairanga teitei o te whakanatanga o te iwi whanui. | We will always look to understand our community's expectations and try to achieve a high level of community satisfaction. **Our strategic priorities are****Economic well-being** **Priorities for Council action** - ?p?tiki Harbour development - Encourage private investment and development to meet housing needs - Support the aspirations of M?ori to develop their land - Support local and regional business growth and workforce development - Immediate focus on the district’s economic recovery from COVID. **Social well-being** **Priorities for Council action** - Provide infrastructure e.g. roads and footpaths, water, stormwater, sewerage, waste management, extension of ?p?tiki Township wastewater reticulation network - Advocate with and on behalf of ?p?tiki communities to central government - Provide recreation facilities including development of walkways, cycleway, horse trails, sports fields, and playgrounds - Support initiatives for development in the Coast ward - Proactive provision of infrastructure - Provision of a District Plan that meets the district’s needs going forward - Continued expansion of digital connectivity in the district through Evolution Networks - Community where people feel safe. **Environmental well-being** **Priorities for Council action** - Provide and develop infrastructure in an environmentally sustainable way - Complete the District Plan review and implementation - Maintain and enhance parks and reserves - Continued investment in environmentally sustainable coastal infrastructure - Partner with community groups, iwi and hap?, BOPRC and DOC to undertake environmental restoration projects **Cultural well-being** **Priorities for Council action** - Promote and support community events - Provide sports fields and facilities for community use e.g. pavilions - Support the outcomes iwi seek from their Treaty Settlements, including any legislated joint governance arrangements, and any orders made under the Marine and Coastal Areas Act - Support and facilitate programmes to deliver good jobs for local people.