Katikati - Our Town

Katikati - Our Town

Come and enjoy our town, Katikati. View the Open Air Art and savour the

busy, happy and purposeful feel of a town on the move. A 'go-getting' town,

maybe, but Katikati still retains the friendly informality of a small country town.

Katikati is a nice, quiet and friendly town; it's not too big, has housing that

doesn't cost the earth, is close enough to city amenities and facilities and

has good schools, beaches and country walks in the nearby Kaimai Ranges.

Introducing "Barry", a local identity sculptured in bronze who is here looking better than ever having just having a new head fitted after being decapitated by local morons. Taken with a BenQ.

Katikati is a community with immense pride. This is best demonstrated by

the willingness of so many of the locals to volunteer their time for so

many worthwhile causes. Our volunteers who make Seniornet Katikati happen

is just one example of people giving their time for the benefit of others.

To promote Katikati, a group of people got together and came up with

the concept of using decorative murals to depict the

district's colourful history and to create a distinctive atmosphere.

Ten years on, Katikati has 35 works of art in and around the main street

ranging from murals, sculptures and carvings created by local artists

with images depicting the early history of the area.

Where New Zealand and Katikati are in relation to the world and

John Groves in his capacity as official Town Crier

Katikati always looks it's best. Volunteers tend gardens in the Main Street

and set a standard in the town. Over the past ten years, Katikati has been

the winner or runner up several times in the "Best Small Town" in the

Keep New Zealand Beautiful awards

Katikati is also known for the richness of talent amongst it's residents.

These include Farmers, Horticulturists, Winemakers, Gardeners, Artists,

Potters, Musicians, Weavers etc. - the list is endless.

Looking south back down the Uretara River over the

Katikati Haiku Pathway, with the new Highfields

subdivision to the right. Taken with a BenQ digital camera.

Located beside the Uretara River, Katikati has gained a unique status

in the tourist industry for the creative and colourful murals painted

on virtually every spare wall in the central town.

The Uretara Walkway wends it way along the Uretara Stream, past

the Haiku Pathway and Haiku Park. Starting at the southern end of town,

it passes the Millenium Bridge - built to link Highfield's with town - the

walk finishes at Park Road Reserve several kilometres downstream.

Where the river passes through the northern end of the shopping centre,

though, is the site of the Uretara Landing which served as a central

access point to the town when riverways were the most efficient form

of transportation. This was where the Irish Immigrants originally landed.

This is a statue of 'Humphrey' a seal lion who used to dominate the spot

at the bottom of town. This also marks the spot where the first Irish

Settlers landed in Katikati after their long journey.

Driven by desire to put Katikati on the main tourist trail, the Open-air

Art Committee started the first of the town's murals in 1991. Five years

on, the town is celebrating its 20th mural. The murals are an integral part

of the towns unique atmosphere and have helped it claim the title of

"New Zealand's Most Beautiful Small Town" four times.

Numerous artists living in the Katikati vicinity midst regularly display

their works in "The Gallery", next to the Memorial Hall in the centre of town.

Adding to Katikati's charm are the numerous craft and garden trails

and some interesting attractions. The restored Kauri villa of

Twickenham Homestead is a country cafe filled with unique

collectables and antiques. It sits on the northern edge of town,

nestled amidst a tranquil garden.

Looking north towards the start of the main retail area of Katikati.

Travelling south from Katikati to Tauranga Back onto the highway the

next stop could be the hot pools, 3 km up Hot Spring Road.

A short drive farther down the main highway leads past a landmark

winery, built in the style of traditional Dutch architecture.

Wine tasting is a speciality.

With a population of just on 3000 in the town and 7000 in the surrounding

rural area, Katikati is situated in the Bay of Plenty, 30 km from Tauranga.

For the statistically minded, the annual hours of sunshine for 2001 was

2178 with rainfall during that period being logged at 1581mm.

Katikati is a very special little town and we're proud of it. It's picturesque,

it's got get up and go, and the people are especially friendly and helpful.

It's the sort of town where strangers pass you in the street

say "Hello" - and then stop for a chat.

More formal information

Katikati, the fruit bowl of the bay, is a small rural based town with a population

of 3,000 - 4,000, famous for the superb mural paintings adorning many of the

local buildings. The murals tell the story of the districts rich history - it's

Maori heritage, it's early settlement by Ulster pioneers, it's timber milling,

farming and the growth of the town. There is a magnificent tribute to the men

and women who left the district to fight in overseas wars. This year the children

of Katikati are making their own contribution, depicting the district's racial

diversity in art and sculpture in a very special project. Every day visitors arrive

by bus, car and even bicycle to admire the high quality murals.

No wonder this little town lures visitors and artistic talent from around New Zealand and the world.

The flowering of Katikati continues as Katikati Open Air Art plans more murals, more sculptures, more festivals. And it flowers in other ways as residents strive

to make it New Zealand's most beautiful small towns, an annual award it has

already won three times. It is an artist's haven. Admire a wide diversity of arts

and crafts in the craft center in town and in workshops throughout the district.

And, lastly, there's that wonderful community spirit here - all of which

makes Katikati such a special and wonderful place to live.