Celebrating a Community Victory: The Story Behind the Ōtaki Kids Market

Winning the 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Award for Education and Child/Youth Development is an honour that reflects not just my journey, but the passion, resilience, and heart of an entire community. The Ōtaki Kids Market began as a simple idea and has grown into a movement that empowers young people to create, innovate, and step confidently into their potential. This award recognises that collective effort, and I am incredibly proud of what we have built together.

Poutoko Hapori / Community – Sponsored by Metlifecare; Recognising a leader contributing to the environment through their work with and in their community, including Māori settings.

The Spark That Started It All

After the Covid lockdowns, I was looking for a group of like-minded women to reconnect with. My mum encouraged me to join the Ōtaki Women’s Community Club. Membership had dwindled and the attached Ōtaki Market, once a bustling staple of the town, had shrunk dramatically. We began revitalising both the club and the market, slowly transforming it into a thriving community space with up to 40 stalls and several food trucks.

In 2022, something unexpected happened. My eldest son wanted to earn some money. We gathered his old toys, created a simple stall branded Harrison’s Toy Shop, and set him up beside his Nana at the market. It was a huge success. Soon, other young people were trying out stalls too. That was the turning point.

I suggested: Why not create a dedicated space for kids?

In January 2023, during the summer holidays, we held our first Kids Only Market. We expected just a handful of kids. Instead, 30 signed up. Today we regularly host 52 stalls and between 80 and 90 young stallholders every market.

Growing Into a Movement

What surprises me the most is not only the talent the young people bring but their resilience and growth. With each market, their skills evolve. Their designs improve. Their confidence grows. Their imagination flourishes.

The Kids Market also gave us a chance to instill sustainable values. As a charity with no budget, we reused and recycled everything we could. This became the foundation of our sustainability strategy. We introduced categories like Best Sustainable Product and Best Sustainable Packaging and began running workshops in local schools to help young people build eco-friendly stalls. Sustainability is now a core part of who we are.

A Community Effort Worth Celebrating

The community response has been overwhelming. Businesses, organisations, volunteers, and families have supported us through sponsorship, in-kind donations, mentorship, and encouragement. Coast Access Radio interviews our kids live on air. Māoriland has hosted our stallholders at events. The Māori Wardens have supported our large markets. Local schools and national events like the Kāpiti Food Fair have embraced us. We have even been featured on national TV.

Every success is the result of collective effort.

One of the most heartwarming stories comes from 13-year-old Alanah, who has been part of every Kids Market since day one. She told me, “I really love being part of these events. It is helping me with my shyness and to grow into a more confident person. It feels like you are hanging out with family.” Her words capture the true heart of what this market has become.

What This Award Represents

Winning this award means more than recognition. It validates the countless hours volunteers have given, the courage kids show every time they set up a stall, and the belief that small ideas can become powerful catalysts for change.

The Ōtaki Kids Market operates on a tiny budget, but with huge community spirit. Our biggest challenges pushed us to be creative about advertising, partnerships, and building trust. What began as a necessity has become our strength.

We have created something unique: a place where tamariki and rangatahi learn real-world skills, gain confidence, and discover that their ideas have value.

Looking Ahead

My vision for the future is big. Our market is now running at full capacity. We are extending opportunities beyond the market space through partnerships, workshops, and events. One of my dreams is to see this model replicated across Aotearoa. And if we think even bigger, why not globally?

Young people everywhere deserve spaces where they can create, experiment, and thrive.

Final Thoughts

This award belongs to everyone who has supported the Ōtaki Kids Market. The volunteers who show up early. The businesses that donate time and resources. The parents who encourage their children to try. And most importantly, the young people whose enthusiasm fuels everything we do.

The Ōtaki Kids Market is proof that community can transform ideas into movements. It shows that sustainability, creativity, and entrepreneurship can take root in even the smallest places. And it reminds us that the future is bright when we empower our young people.

Winning this award is a milestone, but it is far from the end. It is a reminder to keep going, keep growing, and keep believing in what our community can achieve together.