Stronger Waitaki

Our Vision: Waitaki - The Best Place to be!

The Stronger Waitaki project is a whole-of-community project with a focus on community safety and community development. This includes community health and well-being. The project was initiated as a way to identify and respond to the key community safety priorities for the Waitaki District. We are a coalition that provides a mechanism for the community to work together to maximise resources and expertise and build community resilience.

Stronger Waitaki is a Council and Community initiative which is coordinated and managed by our Community Development Team. Stronger  Waitaki promotes and values diversity in all of its forms. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a normalised concept, not an initiative. Different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative environment delivering better results.

Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi. Ki te tuohu me he maunga teitei (Seek the treasures of your heart, if you bow, let it be to a lofty mountain).

Click here to visit the Stronger  Waitaki Website.

Stronger Waitaki - International Safe Community

Waitaki District was officially designated as an International Safe Community in a special ceremony on 18 March 2013 at the Oamaru Opera House. The ceremony welcomed representatives from the local community to celebrate the achievement of this milestone in the district's journey to becoming a safe place in which to live, work and play.

Waitaki was reaccredited as a Safe Community in December 2020.

Strategic Outcomes

• Reduce harm related to alcohol, drugs and violence
• Increased social connections with, and support of vulnerable groups
• Resilience and safety are an integral part of how we live, work and play
• Increase pathways and opportunities to support people/family/Whanau to flourish in our community
• Promote healthy, respectful relationships

Funding Opportunities

Throughout the year Stronger  Waitaki identifies potential funding and grants opportunities for the community which will be published on the Stronger Waitaki Funding web page on a regular basis. This initiative has been developed by the Waitaki District Council to support our people, families, community groups and service providers especially those impacted by COVID-19.