Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board

04/06/2026

📣 Bring your mates and try something new every Friday at Rangatahi Piki Ake - a FREE drop-in programme for 13–18-year-olds.

Hang out, get active, and connect with other rangatahi in a fun, relaxed environment. No registrations, no experience needed – just turn up and get involved. Parents and caregivers can feel confident knowing their young people are spending time in a positive, supervised environment.

📍 Allan Brewster Leisure Centre I 7 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe
🗓 Every Fridays | 3:30pm–6:00pm I Free to attend
👌 Proudly supported by your Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board

Enjoy basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton and more.

03/06/2026

Environmental spotlight 🔎
Here's what we saw on the ground in May with our very own Dawson Primary School (green / black) representing Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area - and it's well worth a watch, especially the bloopers at the end ❤

Want to see what on-the-ground environmental mahi / work looks like for our tamariki / children and rangatahi / youth? Take a look at how four South Auckland schools are making a difference through the popular Pest Free South Auckland Moth Plant Competition 2026 ⚡️

These students aren't just learning about biodiversity - they're out there doing the mahi and we love seeing it 🍃 We're proud to be one of four local boards backing this kaupapa.

A huge thank you to the schools featured in this video, and to every school, group, team and individual helping drive this kaupapa forward ✨

01/06/2026

Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa I Happy Samoan Language Week 🌺 The 2026 theme is "‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le 'nu'u - From the high mountains are the blessings of the village."

There are plenty of FREE ways to celebrate across Ōtara-Papatoetoe. Check out your local library Tupu Youth Library Ōtara Library Papatoetoe Library Manukau Library and Research Centre Te Paerangi or follow Te Puke O Tara Community Centre there are lots of opportunities to get involved and celebrate Samoan language and culture ❤️💙

28/05/2026

Big love to our incredible Enviroschools across Ōtara-Papatoetoe 🌿 We’re lucky to have more than 20 Enviroschools in our local board area — inspiring our tamariki / children and rangatahi / youth to get hands-on with nature, explore their local environment, and lead the way in caring for the places around them. Special thanks to the wonderful teachers and Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ team who bring this to life for these schools 💚

Four days. One local park. A whole community reconnecting with nature. Read all about here https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2026/05/face-to-face-with-nature/

At Kohuora Park, tamariki, teachers, scientists and whānau got hands-on exploring wetlands, testing water, spotting bugs, learning native plants and hearing the story of Matāoho through mātauranga Māori.

With legends like Ruud “Bug Man” (from TV) Kleinpaste and Frazer Dale leading the way, curiosity turned into action - and a local park became an outdoor classroom full of discovery, laughter and connection 🦗

The best part? It showed our young people that caring for the environment starts right on their own doorstep 🪳

At Kohuora Park, learning came alive - sometimes landing right on your face.

26/05/2026

Yesterday we held our monthly business meeting, where decisions that shape our community are formally made 👍

Our workshops are held weekly to discuss upcoming items, with decisions then made at the monthly business meeting. Meetings are open to the public both online and in person. Our next business meeting is on 23 June.

Items covered this month included local parks, transport projects, community wellbeing, and the draft Local Board Plan 2026 - all helping shape the future of our area ❤

View the full agenda and reports:
https://aucklandcouncil.resolve.red/portal

25/05/2026

🏟️ Sport & Recreation Facilities Investment Fund is open

We have great sport and recreation spaces that will benefit from this fund.

Apply now and help create the facilities your community needs https://tinyurl.com/3246xxks

This fund helps invest in new and improved community sport and recreation facilities so Aucklanders have more places to move, play, and connect, including new builds and major upgrades (fields, courts, clubrooms) and renewals of existing facilities.
🔵 Address gaps in local sport and recreation facilities
🔵 Respond to the changing needs of participants and communities
🔵 Deliver quality facilities by leveraging external investment
🔵 Get more Aucklanders active and involved in sport and recreation

📅 Key dates
* Applications open: 25 May – 19 June 2026
* Decisions due: December 2026
* Activity to start after: 1 February 2027

🔎 What happens next
Applications will be assessed and shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide more information, attend a site visit, or answer clarification questions. Applications are then reviewed by an independent assessment panel before final funding decisions are made by the Community Committee in December 2026.

All you need to know about this grant can be found here https://tinyurl.com/3246xxks

21/05/2026

Recently, Auckland Council’s Governing Body approved $1.5 million in funding to support marae across Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

Here in Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area, Ngāti Ōtara marae received $19,125 for digital infrastructure and innovation. We know how important this marae is to our community so it's great to see this investment from Council.

A huge acknowledgement to our marae for the ongoing manaakitanga, leadership, and support they provide to whānau and the wider community every day.

18/05/2026

This Saturday 23 May, make plans to come along to the 🚨 PAPATOETOE SAFETY & WELLBEING EXPO 🚨

Brought to you by Papatoetoe Community Network and proudly supported by Hunters Plaza, this local board and in partnership with Haddon House, come join us THIS SATURDAY at Hunter’s Plaza for a fun family day where you can meet your local:
👮🏽‍♂️ NZ Police
🦺 Community Safety Patrol
🤝 Community providers
🎤 Live performances
🎈 Family-friendly activities
💬 Information, support & connections for our community

Whether you want to learn more about local support services, connect with your community, or just enjoy the atmosphere — there’s something for everyone.
📍 Hunters Plaza
📅 Saturday, May 23rd 2026
⏰ 10AM – 1PM