Twenty twenty one, saw all manner of changes in the Opotiki community as a result of the up and down nature of the Covid-19 virus and the flow on effect of not having pickers, packers and pruners for the orchards, and a lack of young travellers who traditionally had worked the season in the District. Coupled with a doozy storm in December, growers could be forgiven for wanting to walk away. The challenges have been tangible and very real.

This makes the fact that so many growers in the district continue to voluntarily commit to improving their community through the Opotiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund, extra special. 

Grants have just been announced for the 2021 year and include:

• The Opotiki Childrens Arthouse, for operational expenses,
• a new defibrillator for  the Te Kaha community,
• a further grant to develop and maintain the Opotiki Community Gardens,
• Blue Light Opotiki youth programmes, the first of three years of committed funding,
• a grant towards Opotiki Neighbourhood Watch and a House of Science grant to provide specialist learning modules in STEM ( Science Technology, Engineering and Maths) through REAP ( Rural Education Activities Programme) 
• Two scholarships for Opotiki College Students to attend life-changing courses with Outward Bound at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds and a 10 day sail training / leadership opportunity with Spirit of New Zealand. 

Thank you to the growers for investing in the future of the community you live, work and play in, to make this a safer, happier place to be.