From paper to digital: How I modernised the Ōtaki Market

When I first got involved with the Ōtaki Market, it was charmingly old-school. Stallholder bookings were scribbled in a handwritten notebook, and contacts were tucked away in a well-worn address book. While this approach had heart, it wasn’t scalable — especially for a market with so much potential to grow, engage the community, and draw in visitors.

So, we modernised. Completely.

Ōtaki Market working group

Booking System

The first step was taking the stallholder experience online. Introducing a digital booking system, replacing the manual entries with a streamlined, easy-to-use online form. Stallholders could now apply, receive confirmation, and manage their bookings from anywhere — no phone tag, no paperwork, no stress.

Communications

Next, I tackled communications. Introducing a dedicated mobile phone for the market to improve responsiveness and create a single point of contact. No more chasing people across various email threads or messages — one number, one voice, one clear line of communication.

Social Media

Then came the digital face of the market: the Facebook page. I gave it a full refresh. Updated branding, fresh imagery, and — most importantly — storytelling became the cornerstone of our marketing. Instead of just promoting stalls, we began sharing the stories behind them. The makers. The bakers. The kids with big ideas. This shift created a genuine connection between stallholders and the community, and engagement soared.

Website

I also launched a brand-new website — a central hub for everything Ōtaki Market. It includes an updated events calendar, stallholder directory, FAQs, application forms, and news updates. It’s intuitive, mobile-friendly, and gives both visitors and stallholders a clear sense of what the market is all about. For the first time, people can learn about the market, explore what’s on offer, and plan their visit — all in one place.

Signage and Branding

All signage, branding, and communication materials were redesigned in-house to ensure consistency and cohesion. From the market banners to social media posts, everything now tells the same story: that the Ōtaki Market is a vibrant, community-led initiative driven by heart, professionalism, and purpose.

These changes weren’t about keeping up with trends — they were about honouring the community while setting the market up for a sustainable future.

From a humble notebook to a connected, digital marketplace, the transformation of the Ōtaki Market has been a labour of love. And this is just the beginning.