Planning ahead for Awakeri's future
Awakeri has been identified as a Priority Growth Area in Our Places – Eastern Bay of Plenty Spatial Plan. With its location near SH2 and SH30, proximity to schools and community facilities, and capacity for future housing, it plays an important role in meeting the district’s long-term growth needs.
The Awakeri Structure Plan is about planning ahead, thoughtfully and carefully, so future growth supports the village feel and rural character people value most.
Community Reference Group
Applications for the Community Reference Group have closed. Successful applicants will be updated by 2 April 2026.
Background
Awakeri is located around 12-13km southwest of Whakatāne and sits within the rohe of Ngāti Awa.
Historically a rural settlement supported by farming, lime quarrying, hot springs tourism and the Tāneatua railway branch line, Awakeri has strong cultural and environmental connections to its waterways, geothermal features and surrounding landscape.
In August 2025, early engagement through the Local Growth Strategy saw strong community interest, with around 60 residents attending a drop-in session. Feedback highlighted:
- Concerns about infrastructure capacity
- A strong desire to protect Awakeri’s character
- Interest in being involved early and meaningfully
That early feedback is shaping how the Awakeri Structure Plan is being developed.
What we're doing
The Awakeri Structure Plan will provide a high-level framework for how land around the rural village could develop in the future.
What the Structure Plan does is help guide:
- Where future housing and business areas could go
- Transport connections and safety improvements
- Stormwater and flooding management
- Open space, parks and recreation
- Urban design principles that retain Awakeri’s identity
- How cultural values and local narratives are reflected
What we aren't doing
It's important to note the project is not about construction, rezoning land or detailed engineering design. The Awakeri Structure Plan helps shape ideas and sets direction for future steps, including any potential plan change process.
Any future rezoning or development would go through formal processes, with community engagement and decision-making requirements.
Why we're doing it
National direction requires councils to ensure enough housing and business land capacity over the short, medium and long term. Awakeri’s location and existing services make it suitable for carefully planned growth.
Planning now means:
- Growth can be coordinated with infrastructure
- Natural hazards and environmental constraints are considered early
- Cultural values are embedded from the beginning
- The community has input before decisions are made
This is about shaping growth with purpose and avoiding reactive practices around growth.
What's happening now
We are in the early stages of developing the Awakeri Structure Plan.
Current work includes:
- Technical assessments (transport, hazards, stormwater, infrastructure capacity)
- Ongoing engagement with mana whenua and key stakeholders
- Establishing a Community Reference Group
- Engagement on wider community input
The draft Awakeri Structure Plan is currently anticipated to be presented to Council mid-late 2026, subject to technical findings and project approvals.
Project news
26 February 2026: Planning ahead for Awakeri's future
19 March 2026: Call for community to help shape the future of Awakeri
7 April 2026: Community gets behind planning the future of Awakeri
As the Whakatāne District looks ahead to where future generations will live, work and raise their families, Awakeri’s strategic potential is being explored. Whakatāne District Council is now in the early stages of structure planning to guide how the area could grow while retaining its rural village feel.
How the community can be involved
There will be multiple opportunities to stay informed and contribute throughout the project.
- View project updates on this webpage
- Attend community drop-in sessions (dates to be confirmed)
- Provide feedback during public engagement stages
At key milestones, we’ll share summaries of what we heard and how that feedback has shaped the work.
Community Reference Group
What is it?
Early conversations with Awakeri locals in August 2025 highlighted a strong desire to be involved early and meaningfully in planning for the area’s future.
Establishing a Community Reference Group is one way we’re responding to that feedback and ensuring the community is part of the journey from the start.
The group will include around 20 Awakeri residents, business owners, landowners and community representatives who will come together for three facilitated sessions at key stages of the project.
The group will:
- Bring community values and local knowledge into the planning process
- Help define what “good growth” looks like for Awakeri
- Test emerging ideas
- Provide feedback on early concept designs
- Highlight potential unintended consequences
All feedback and ideas from the Community Reference Group will be documented and provided to the project team. Key themes and recommendations will be reflected in project reporting and used to inform the draft Structure Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions - Awakeri Community Reference Group
- What is the Community Reference Group and what will it do?
The Community Reference Group brings together local residents, business owners, landowners, and community voices to share insights, identify what matters to the community, and provide feedback (as experts on Awakeri) on early concepts prepared by Whakatāne District Council and the project delivery team.
Members help ensure local knowledge is clearly represented in the project.
- Do I need technical or planning expertise to join?
No. The expert knowledge required is local knowledge, lived experience and understanding of Awakeri's identity and needs.
You don't need specialist technical or planning skills, just an interest in contributing constructively and representing your community.
- Will the group be making design decisions?
As this work forms part of Council’s legislative responsibilities, final decision making remains with the Mayor and councillors. The Community Reference Group’s role is to work alongside the project team in structure plan development. The project team includes specialists in urban design and town planning, geotechnical engineering, stormwater and flooding, and transport.
- How much time do I need to commit?
Members are asked to attend three workshops between April and June 2026. Background material will be provided before each session, and your time and participation will be acknowledged. Additional optional opportunities may arise to support community engagement events
- Who can put their name forward?
Anyone with a meaningful connection to Awakeri including residents, workers, business owners, landowners, youth, community representatives, and people with local historical or environmental knowledge.
We aim for a broad mix of voices to reflect the diversity of the community.
- How will members be selected?
Places are limited. The Council project team will review nominations to ensure a balanced mix of perspectives and experience across the community.
Selection is based on the criteria set out in the nomination form, not on technical expertise. The project team's selection will be final.
Stay in touch
To receive updates:
- Check this page regularly
- Follow Council’s social media channels
- Contact the project team directly at local.growth@whakatane.govt.nz