Veteran,vintageandclassicbeauties,such asthis1930FordAApick-uptruckowned byKatikatiresidentDougBrownwillparade thetowntomorrowmorningtotakethe communitybackintime.
Yes,thetown’sweekendtomark150years sincethearrivaloftheUlsterIrishsettlers
12 September, 2025
in1875isabouttorevup!Brown,pictured herewithhissignature‘ECOAVO’pick-up truck,willleadthevehicleparade–which beginsat10am,leavingfromMoorePark.
“We’remusteringthevehiclesat9am attherugbyclubandtheparade willbegin10am.Wearenotsureofnumbers butthinkwecouldgetanythingfrom30 vehiclesupwards.”
TheparadewillproceedontoMiddlebrook Drive,straightontoCarisbrookeSt,then leftontoBeachRdandleftintoTalisman Drivewherevehicleswillparknearthenew TownSquarenexttothelibrary,wherefree
entertainmentwillbeonofferthroughout thedayforthe150thevents.
Spectatorsareinvitedtolinetheparade routetoviewthevehicles,andjoininthefree funonofferattheTownSquareafterwards. Readmoreonpages4-5.
Photo/MerleCave
OnhisfirstvisitNewZealand, Irishfolksingerandstoryteller
ColinUrwinwilllandinKatikati thisweekendasthetownmarks 150yearssincetheUlster settlersarrived.
“I’veperformedallovertheworld–from AustraliatoAmerica,CanadatoChina –butI’veneverbeentoNewZealand,” UrwintoldKatikatiNewsfrombackhome.
“Untilafewmonthsago,Imustconfess, Ihadn’tevenheardofKatikati.Ihavenow
andI’veafunnyfeelingit’ssomewherethat willgetstuckinmyheart.”
Urwin,whoisknowninternationallyfor beingamodern-dayfolksinger,songwriter, andstoryteller,willperformatsomeofthis weekend’sevents.
AccordingtoWesternBayofPlenty CommunityArchivesCollection (WBOPCAC),ashipnamedthe CarisbrookeCastlevoyagedfromLiverpool, England,andarrivedinAuckland,NZ,on September8,1875,with238ofGeorge VeseyStewart’ssettlerson-board.They travelledontoKatikativiaTauranga, arrivingafewdayslater.
Stewartalsobroughtasecondpartyto NZaboardtheLadyJocelyn,whicharrived inAucklandonAugust17,1878,according toWBOPCAC.
TheKatikaticommunityisinvitedtoa flurryofeventsfromthisafternoon,Friday, September12 through toSunday, September 14.People cancatch theSeanchaí–traditionalIrish storytellerandbearer ofoldlorewhopasseson historyandlegendsthrough oraltradition–bothSaturdayand Sunday.
captivateaudienceswithhishumour,arich blendoftraditionandoriginality,andhis manyhauntinglybeautifulstories.
HewillalsoperformatSettlers’Dance thatnight,andtheAthenreeHomestead FaironSunday,September14.
Urwin,whohailsfromNorthernIreland, wasexcitedtoperformasthe150thevents, butalsoalittlenervous.“Usually,I’ve builtupanonlineaudiencebeforeItravel somewhere,butNZiscompletelynew territoryforme.
“OnceIbeganresearchingKatikati’sstory, though,Ifeltarealconnectionandpride. Someofthoseearlysettlers,whoendured suchincrediblehardshipstocarveoutanew lifeontheothersideoftheworld,came fromjustahandfulofmilesfromwhere Ilive...Inastrangeway,andobviously toamuchlesserdegree,itfeelslikeI’m followingintheirfootsteps.”
Ulsterwit
Hewillopenthesold-outKatikati FolkClub’sfestivalofIrishMusicand Songtonight. Buthismainperformancewillbeat KatikatiWarMemorialHallonSaturday, September12,from2.30pm-4pm.The eventisfree–andUrwinisknownto
Whenhedreadshistiring40-hour journeybytrain,planeandcartoKatikati, Urwinsaid:“I’lltrytothinkaboutthe gruelling13-weekseavoyagethosehardy folkundertook150yearsago”.
Billedasaninternationalfolksinger, thesedaysUrwinisbetterknownasa traditionaloralstorytellerwhoalsosings. “Notwoperformancesareeverthesame –they’realwaysalivelymixofstories, songsandrecitations.InUlster,it’sastrong traditiontotellstoriesinverse,andhaving researchedandwrittenfivevolumesoflocal tales,I’vegotplentyofyarnstoshare.”
Mostofall,audiencescanexpectgood oldUlsterwitandabitoftongue-in-cheek wisdom.“I’venodoubtthegoodfolkof KatikatihavekeptalivetheUlstermanand woman’sloveofabitofcraicandaceilidh. Aswesayhere–itwillbemighty!” ColinUrwinis knownglobally asanIrish folksinger andstoryteller extraordinaire.
Auniquewayoftravellingback intimetomark150yearssince theUlsterIrishsettlersarrivedin Katikatibackin1875isonofferto thecommunitythismonth.
KatikatiTheatre’snewplay–‘The LongestJourney’–opensattheArts JunctionnextFriday,September19 at7pm–thefirstofsixperformances betweenthenandSeptember27.
KatikatiTheatre’sJulieThomas,Di LoganandFrancisYounghavespent muchtimewritingandformingthe play–whichcomestolifeaspartof thismonth’seventstomark150years sincethearrivalofKatikati’sUlsterIrish settlers.
TheplotfollowssevenKatikatisettlers, whotravelfromthe1870s–whenthey firstarrivedhere–throughtimeand spaceinaspecialtimemachinetoreach thepresentday.
MurielfromWoolloomooloo
“We’vegotthisAustraliantourist–calledMurielfromWoolloomooloo –whoislookingatthemuralsintown anditjustsohappensatime-travelling machinearrivesandsevensettlersstepout ofitandareastonishedatthechangesto thetown,”saidThomas.
ThesettlersincludeGeorgeVesey Stewart,playedbyNormGuenter,known asfounderofKatikati’sNo1andNo2 Settlements;AdelaStewart,playedbyDi Logan,whowasmarriedtoGVS’younger brotherCaptainHughStewart,whobuilt AthenreeHomestead;SamMiddlebrook, playedbyRonThomas,aguidetoGVS whenheinspectedlandforsettlement; WilliamGray,playedbyBarryMagowan, whoplannedandbuiltroadingandwas aTaurangaCountyCouncilmember; GraceFletcher,playedbyErylRaymond, whocameaboardtheCarisbrookeCastle withhusbandThomas;andMaryBell, playedbyJulieThomas,anunofficial townpublicanthankstosonWillianBell holdingthelicence.
“Theonlysettlerwe’veinventedforthe playisthemaidFlora,playedbyJean Eltringham–plusAussietouristMuriel, playedbyFiGudsell,”saidThomas.
“Plus,wehavetheprofessor,playedby FrancisYoung,whooffersexplanations tosettlersastheydiscoveraverydifferent lifein2025.”
MaryBell
ThomassaidhercharacterMaryBellis theoneKatikatiknowstheleastabout.
“Weknowshewasapublican–butwe
can’tfindaphotographofher,andknow littleabouther.Weknowshedidn’tcome withtheoriginalsettlersbutwedon’t knowwhenshearrived.”
Nevertheless,MaryBellandtheother ‘settlers’dressedinclothingoftheday–thankstocostumedesignerAnnamarie Gudsell–withtheiraccentsandverbal proseshowcaseKatikati’searlydays juxtapositionedagainstthetownwe know.
Thomassaidthesettlershavecome“to tryandsortourcurrentdaytransport problemsout”.That’swherethebright orangeroadcones,comein.
“Well,theroadswereatrociousback then–ittookalongtimetogetaround fromplacetoplace,”saidYoung,in referencetothemuddysurfacesthat horsesandcarriageswouldnavigatein 1875.“Andtheyarestillatrociousnow
MaryBell(JulieThomas),maidFlora(JeanEltringham) andfellowIrishsettlersGeorgeVeseyStewart(Norm Guenter),SamMiddlebrook(RonThomas),AdelaStewart (DiLogan),WilliamGray(BarryMagowan)andGrace Fletcher(ErylRaymond)inrehearsal.
GeorgeVeseyStewart(NormGuenter)infrontofamuralof himselfwiththeprofessor(FrancisYoung). Photos/MerleCave
–justinasomewhatdifferentway,”said Young.
“Sotheplayisablendingoftheoldthe new,”saidThomas.“Wehavecharacters whoareastonishedatthingslikemodern technology,trafficlights,trucksand transport,downtoiPhoneswhereone actorquotes:‘Howcanthatlittleblack boxknowwhat’sgoingon?’”
Plus,manythingswetakeforgranted todaythatthesettlersdidn’thavein1875 arehighlighted.
Crossedwires
Thecast,who’vebeenrehearsing sinceearly-August,saytheplayis fullofcomedythanksto“alotof misunderstandings,misconceptionsand crossedwires”.“We’vehadsomuchfun creatingthisforthecommunity,”said
Thomas.Sheand Loganwillgivethe townatasteofthe playthisweekend –viaaskitatthe Settlers’Danceon Saturdaynight. “Theskitrevolves aroundGrace Fletcher’spiano, whichwasbrought withherfrom Ireland.Itprovided alotofthemusic forthesettlement oftheday,”said Logan.
“SheusedtoletJamesLockington collectitandputitonhisdrayandhe’d takeitaroundthetownforevents.The bumpyroadswouldhaveleftitveryoutof-tunebuttheydidn’tcarebecauseitwas music–andthey’dhaveagoodoldknees upandashindig.”
Theactualpianowillbestationedatthe ArtsJunctionforthisweekendandthe restofSeptember–onloanfromWestern BayMuseum.
Thomas,LoganandYoungarebehind manyplaysbroughttolifebyKatikati Theatre,butthetrioagreethisone–whichcapturesanessenceofthetown’s earlydaysandsettlers–isspecial.
“Allthreeofus–becauseofourinterest inhistoryandourloveofdrama–[we think]it’safabulouswayofbringing
historyalive,”saidThomas.
“Itevenmakesmethinkofthingsof howthesettlerslivedorwhatlittlethey hadattheirdisposal.Forexample,all theyhadformusicalentertainmentwas apiano–orthathavingafternoonat someone’shousewouldhavebeen ahighlight.”
AnnamarieDixonsaidthecostumes trulyrepresentwhatsettlersofthetime wore.“Thesettlersofthisareadidn’twear thefashionyouseeadvertisedbackthen. Theywererealwomeninsettlers’times. Theybroughttheirclotheswiththem becausetherewasnoclothmanufacturing here,”saidDixon.“Forme,itwastricky tryingtohuntdowntheexactlook.”
Logansaidtherewasnoconcessionasto whattheweatherwaslikeinNewZealand whenthesettlersbroughttheirclothes frombackhome.“Thefashionwasright uptotheneckanddowntotheground –andfactthattherewasmudeverywhere andnoroadsanditwasboilinghot sometimesmadenodifference.”
ThomassaidDixonhaddonea wonderfuljobsourcingthecostumes “andthat’swhyyoucanseethis wonderfulcontrastbetweenfreeand easily-dressedMurieltheAussietourist comparedtothesettlers”.
KatikatiTheatrepresents‘TheLongest Journey’betweenSeptember19-27–at theArtsJunction,MainRd,Katikati. Ticketscostadults$20,children$10, familyconcession$50,from:www. theartsjunction.org.nz/katikati-theatretickets
Independentresidentialbuildinginspectionsandreports. Weathertightinspectionsalsoavailableformonolithiccladproperties,suitableforlendingpurposes
Katikati’sweekendtomark150years since the arri al o the Ulster Irish s ttl
Contactusforafree,noobligationquote: 02041670013 •confidencebuildinginspections@gmail.com•confidencebuildinginspections.co.nz
CarisbrookeSt,thenleftontoBeach RdandleftintoTalismanDrivewhere
toKatikati.“Ithinkit’sgreatthetown ismarkin 150th.Thistimethere’s muc more goi on for t e e e t because ou ust re e ber 50 ears a o, t ere as a lot less pe ple li i ere. ”
a
marchandplayintheparade.
Br n sai t e street arade ould
DriverPeterAdamswithTonyHall,DougBrown,Peter LawnandMurrayTomandtheirvehicles,readyfor Saturday’sparade. Photo/MerleCave
Ourcouncilmustgetbacktobasics.ThefirstjobistoappointanewChief Executivewhowantstoworkcloselywiththecouncilandthecommunity. Wealsoneedastrategicreviewofthecouncil’sroleandpurpose.Wemust involveallofourcommunitiesinthatprocess,notdoitbehindcloseddoors.
Wecannotaffordfurtherbigratesincreasessothefullstrategicreviewmust havesavingsatitscore.Ourcouncil’soverheadsarehigherthanothersimilar councilsandwecannolongerafford“BusinessasUsual”.Thiswillrequire anopendiscussionwiththecommunityaboutcouncilservicesandwhereyou wantustofocus.
Thebiggestcomplaintaboutcouncil,afterhighrates,isaperceptionthat counciltalksdowntothepublic.Weneedleaderswhocommunicatethe newsofcouncilwithoutspin--thetoughstuffaswellashappynews.We needamorehumblecouncilwithagenuineopennesstotheideasofothers.
Wehavemadeprogresswithpublishedworkshopnotesandmoreopen debateatcouncilmeetings.Nextstepsaregenuineengagementwiththe public,including‘nochange’asanoptionduringconsultationexercisesand anenlargedroleforcommunityboards.Residentsshouldnotbesurprisedby thecouncil’sdecision-makingprocess.
Gardening& Landscaping
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LIVESTOCK REPRESENTATIVES
StockAuctions ForBuyingandSelling allclassesoflivestock andfeedercalvesfor theupcomingseason, privatelyorthrough saleyards.
Pleasecontact: BradStrange 0274908450
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Withshowerandtoilet requiringrepairs PhoneSteve 0276220011
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WaihiBeach VolunteerCoastguard NoticeofaSpecial GeneralMeeting
NoticeisgiventoallWaihiBeach VolunteerCoastguardMembersofa SpecialGeneralMeeting. Thepurposeofthemeetingistoapprove therevisedConsitutionasrequiredby thenewIncorporatedSocietiesAct2022. Themeetingwillbeheld atHeadquarterson Monday29thSeptemberat6.15pm. TheConsitutionsareavailableonthe Member'spageoftheWebsite.
JoanneCurd,Secretary admin@waihibeachcoastguard.co.nz
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MethodofSale:$1,575,000
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schools,shops&medicalcentre
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$799,000 $895,000 $795,000 $1,575,000
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View Sun12-12.30pmorbyappointment
ManjuSaini 0211058787
manju.saini@eves.co.nz
ColinStewart-Rowe 0274548080 colin.stewart-rowe@eves.co.nz
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eves.co.nz/ekt20508
Auction Thurs25Sept,from1pm 247CameronRoad,Tauranga (unlesssoldprior)
View 3-3.30pmSun14Sept orbyappointment ColinStewart-Rowe 0274548080 colin.stewart-rowe@eves.co.nz
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•Seconddwelling2-bedroomself-containedunit.
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eves.co.nz/ekt20572
Auction Thurs9Oct,from1pm
247CameronRoad,Tauranga (unlesssoldprior)
View 1.30-2pmSun14Sept
orbyappointment
ManjuSaini 0211058787
manju.saini@eves.co.nz
Home,Studio.CabinbytheRiver,Grazing Seton5.171hectaresapprox.,withamodern,fourbedroomhomeandaseparatestudiofortheartist, sleepout,orAirbnb.Buttheicingonthecakeistheriver with3fabulouswaterholes,sittingalongsideisagorgeous 1-bedroomcabin.Avocadotreesandgrazing.+GSTifany Auction Thurs25Sept,from1pm 247CameronRoad,Tauranga (unlesssoldprior)
eves.co.nz/ektc20567
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DurrelleGreen 0279493725 durrelle.green@eves.co.nz TaraKehoe 0212275168 tara.kehoe@eves.co.nz
EVESRealtyLtd,LicensedundertheREAA2008
