We are delivering a variety of initiatives right now

Find out more about our active projects being delivered in 2024/25.

Have a look at our project ideas register to see what other possibilities are being considered.

Rakiura Community Calendar

As a connector we see value and opportunity in a joint online calendar where island locals and visitors alike can find out what is happening on Rakiura.

The community calendar can put the spotlight on key events and get them noticed. It is embedded in the main Stewart Island tourist website increasing exposure.

Future Rakiura provides this service free of charge to our community. We are proud to have a practical way to help people.

Supporting sustainable energy

Our community has some of the highest energy prices in the country. Our electricity is generated by burning large quantities of diesel every day. Liquid and solid fuels are significantly more expensive than mainland Aotearoa.

Future Rakiura is helping build awareness of the opportunities around solar power. Technological advances in the last two decades have significantly improved hardware efficiency and lowered costs.

We’re teaming up with Rewiring Aotearoa to spread the word on household level solar power. We are helping build our communities understanding of the technology and how it can be used successfully on Rakiura to lower our power bills and our carbon emissions.

Technology support

In a remote and isolated community, staying connected to the rest of the country and the world is essential. We rely on online shopping, trading and other services to get on with our lives.

In an increasingly connected world, independence and resilience relies on technology. Getting the job done online is not only efficient, it’s essential when you can’t drive to site or meet in person.

Future Rakiura is helping locals get familiar with the tech through a series of targeted workshop sessions aimed to build confidence in getting the most out of phones, computers and the internet.

Assisted web presence

An online presence is essential for our small community. Much of our economy is tourism based and visitors turn to the internet and their devices to do their research.

Getting online with a web presence is often complicated and expensive but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Future Rakiura is helping locals get online and build their web presence by combining and sharing our hosting package and building simple websites free of charge.

Community Meetings

Small communities have an opportunity to build stronger connections and shared goals. We aim to help our community keep up to date with things that matter to us.

A fun, easy going and informative evening out is our goal. A low key approach encourages participation and attendance. Spark up a conversation over a cup of tea afterwards.

Future Rakiura works alongside the Stewart Island Promotions Association and the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board to bring this annual event to the locals.