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Central Otago has amazing community spirit that reverberates across the hills and through the valleys. The diversity of people and place is evident in the diversity of the economy. From wine, to sheep, to orchards laden with fruits, the people who inhabit these lands are a myriad of characters across different industries. Yet, the soulful, down to earth nature of the people, often brings us all together to achieve a common goal: create a place that reflects the values of our people in a way that is self-sufficient and true to ourselves.

Working together helps us build our own sustainable and resilient places that reflect the values and vision of our community, and creates a sense of pride in our place.  Here you can find ways to volunteer your time on projects that you're passionate about, and help see these projects and ideas come to life.  

He aha te mea nui o te ao.  He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

What is Community Led Development?

Community Development is about people coming together to action their ideas and visions for your place — it’s a bottom-up approach to making a difference in your community. Working together helps to build a sustainable and resilient place that reflect our values.   

Together, we are stronger, and together we can turn our ideas into realities.

Across the district, you will find community-led planning groups in most of our communities. These are made up of groups of people who get together regularly to make plans which reflect community values and aspirations, and then work together to action these plans.

Not all community-led ideas and projects require funding, as long as people have a common goal and the will to make things happen from the bottom-up, the magic of community development can happen.

What community projects are happening now?

Get in touch.

If you are interested in getting involved in community-led development projects in your place, the Central Otago District Council Community Development Officer, Rebecca Williams, can put you in touch with a group in your area. 

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