Opotiki
On 14 June 2007, Toi Te Ora – Public Health (Toi Te Ora), as part of their TLA Engagement Strategy, met with staff from Opotiki District Council to initiate 
contact with the strategic policy and community development areas in Council and to introduce the Smokefree Outdoor Public Spaces policy project. The Parks & Reserves Manager agreed to progress the Smokefree Outdoor Public Spaces policy to the Sport & Recreation Committee for consideration. After the first council committee meeting and presentation, a policy was drafted by Social Environments Health Promoter (Jenna Clarke).
On 11 December 2007, the Opotiki District Council resolved to adopt the educational Smokefree Outdoor Spaces policy. Opotiki is one of only a few councils in New Zealand to adopt a comprehensive policy making all council-owned public places (beaches, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, reserves, etc.) and events smokefree.
Baseline data collection for the year-long evaluation study began in Opotiki on 12 January 2008 and will be completed in February 2009. Evaluation methods include KAB (knowledge, attitude, behaviour) surveys of Opotiki residents, counting cigarette butt remnants, observing the public, and interviewing stakeholders about the process. No Smokefree Council projects have been evaluated with pre- and post- data, so Toi Te Ora will be providing the first comprehensive evaluation of its kind in New Zealand.
A media campaign will promote the project and signage (designed by esteemed Eastern Bay of Plenty artist Jamie Boynton) erected on 1 March 2008.
Toi Te Ora’s planned and strategic approach to engaging with Councils provides a level of schedule and process regarding the Smokefree Outdoor Spaces project. The other Eastern Bay of Plenty councils are now expressing interest in the policy, having realised the strategic policy assistance that health promoters can provide.
Useful Links
- Press Release: Opotiki supports smokefree outdoors, Toi Te Ora Public Health, Thursday, 27 March 2008
- Presentation: Jenna Clarke and Maria Wood, 'Social Environments Programme Social Environments Programme', Toi Te Ora Public Health
- Press release: Opotiki Kicks the Butt, Toi Te Ora Public Health, 22 January 2008
- Advertorial 'Congratulations Opotiki!'
- Advertorial - 'Opotiki is now Smokefree!' - April 2008
- Advertorial - 'Opotiki's parks and playgrounds are smokefree!' - April 2008
- Radio advert version 1
- Radio advert version 2
Further information
Maria Wood
Social Environments Health Promoter
Toi Te Ora Public Health Services
Lakes and Bay of Plenty District Health Boards
Tauranga
DDI: (07) 577-3772 Ext: 6512
Email: Maria.Wood@bopdhb.govt.nzJenna.Clarke@bopdhb.govt.nz