Ōtorohanga Community Connection

31/08/2026

New local business in town

02/08/2026

If you would like to sign there is still time
Our communities deserve to have a say in their future.
If you believe local voices matter and don’t want decisions about our district made by a distant super city, please take a minute to sign this petition and share it with your friends and whānau.
Every signature helps send a clear message that local representation matters.

No to the supercityYes to King Country Te Rohe Pōtae

10/07/2026

The link to our change.org petition to support the merger of Otorohanga and Waitomo Councils, and say no to a supercity based out of Hamilton? Many thanks, Karen https://www.change.org/YestotheKingCountryCouncil

No to the supercityYes to King Country Te Rohe Pōtae

21/06/2026

Amalgamation?

The Government is encouraging councils across New Zealand to look at local government reform, including possible council amalgamations and new governance structures.

Rather than waiting for decisions to be made for us, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo District Councils are working together through the Head Start process to explore what our future could look like and to ensure local voices are heard.

If you've been hearing talk about amalgamation, unitary councils, or local government reform and want to know what it could mean for our communities, come along and join the conversation.

📍 Te Kūiti – Monday 22 June
Les Munro Centre
🕠 5.30pm – 7.00pm

📍 Ōtorohanga – Tuesday 23 June
Ōtorohanga College Gym
🕠 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Whether you're for it, against it, or just want to understand what's being discussed, this is your chance to learn more and have your say.

08/06/2026

04/06/2026

One our our local sports club raising $$ for new equipment
Details in the comments
Thanks for your support

25/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ac6Roz6R1/

Get your tickets now!

Tickets are now on sale from our school office for your chance to be transported Back To The 80's. This musical full of 80's iconic fashion, music and dancing, will have your feet tapping as you follow the senior class of William Ocean High School through their final year of College. Join us for a fun filled night of entertainment - June 10th to 12th.

13/02/2026

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT

Ōtorohanga District Mayor Rodney Dow has declared a State of Emergency for the Ōtorohanga District.

The State of Emergency declaration takes effect immediately (signed at 12:57am on Saturday 14 February 2026 and expires in seven days.

Mayor Dow says the district has experienced widespread flooding and heavy rain, with reports of flooding, slips and inundation.
“The situation in Ōtorohanga is serious, and with nightfall upon us, it’s important we are prepared and have the right controls in place to provide help and support, including required evacuations if needed.”

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was stood up in the Council Chambers after the initial event with Council’s Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) team working on gathering intel and providing support.

Further help from ŌDC’s CDEM partners at Western Waikato may also be called in to provide support. Mayor Dow and fellow elected members have also been closely monitoring the situation.

The declaration was signed following formal advice from CDEM Duty Controller Dave Simes.

A declaration enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources, and enact additional powers, to assist those affected.

Infrastructure and emergency services partners have been working throughout the evening to assess and manage the impacts of the weather event, including water infrastructure and roading. For safety reasons, residents are being urged to stay at home and not venture out.

“I urge you to stay safe and do not venture out into floodwater – it is not safe,” says Mayor Dow.

If you need help, please contact our call centre on 0800 734 000.
If it is an emergency, phone 111 immediately!!

Our Civil Defence communications officer will keep our community updated via Council’s page and website.

11/02/2026

Thanks to the incredible support of our community through the recent Garden Ramble, we raised $5,000 💚
We’ve already donated $2,500 to Friends of Beattie Home, which has gone directly towards the purchase of a much-needed bladder scanner — a real and tangible win.

We now have $2,500 set aside for a project supporting our teenage youth, and we’d love to hear your ideas.

We’re particularly keen on projects that:
🌱 are based in town
🌱 create safe, positive spaces our young people already use
🌱 support connection, wellbeing, activity and belonging

This could include things like:
• upgrading shared youth spaces (for example, the skate park or basketball court)
• improving facilities, seating, lighting, artwork or overall usability
• or another idea that makes our town more youth-friendly

This could be:
• a smaller project we can fully fund, or
• a larger project where our $2,500 becomes seed funding and we work alongside other partners to help bring it to life.

If you know of a need, a space, or have an idea that could make a real difference for our teenage youth, please share it below or send us a message.

Let’s turn community support into community impact — together

04/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BjJdrzJo7/

Last night we wrapped up our first official classes! Enrolments are still open and will be throughout the year so if you want to check us out please get in touch.

Jazz and tap classes available on Tuesday afternoons at the Otewa Hall. Our classes are small, allowing me to give each child more guidance and support.

Pregrade - perfect for 4-8 year olds. These magical classes use props to help young dancers develop confidence in their movement and storytelling ability. Technique is taught early through fun combinations (think dipping toes into the water while you cuddle a friendly duck to learn how to point your toes).

Grades - once a dancer is old enough (7 or 8 )they move into grade 1 and progress through the junior, intermediate, and senior grades. Each grade teaches and reinforces techniques to allow dancers to gain the strength and confidence to perform a broad range of dances.

Adults - a fun class to learn the styles, socialise, and have a great time.

All students have the option to sit exams and medal tests part way through the year. These are a fun and relaxed way to build up confidence and receive wonderful feedback from a national examiner. Medal tests are performed on stage in costume and friends and family are invited to watch. We will also be having a small recital at the hall at the start of November.