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A red hot fundraiser!

Why is Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade’s fire chief Craig Gray posing with the brigade’s old appliance – a converted 1953 Ford truck – in front of the Park Road Reserve?

Come April 19 the reserve will be taken over by hot rods and classic cars – like the

1953 Ford – to rev up funds for the local volunteer brigade.

Gray said funds raised would help accelerate the brigade’s latest project to replace its aging van with a 4WD doublecab ute to use as a rapid response vehicle for medical events and rural fires.

The Summerset by the Sea Hot Rod Display, to be hosted in association with Henry’s Rod Shop, will be held at the Park Road Reserve from 9.30am-2.30pm on Sunday, April 19.

While Summerset residents can stroll across the road to journey back in time

via vehicles, the wider community is invited to enjoy the event too!

There will be wheeled beauties of all sizes, shapes and colours, said event organiser Casey Hope, who is also Summerset by the Sea’s village manager

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Classical to Irish-inspired tunes this month

This month Katikati Concert

Band is returning to the stage for 2026 with their first concert on April 19 at St

Paul’s Presbyterian Church

Band president Karen Goh said attendees will be treated to “music from the classical era to Irishinspired tunes and modern pop favourites”.

“The band will also premier a composition written specially for them by a local musician who will be revealed at the show,” said Goh.

“The piece was inspired by last year ’ s 150th anniversary of the settlement of Katikati by Irish immigrants aboard a ship named the Carisbrook Castle ”

According to Western Bay of Plenty Community Archives Collection, the Carisbrooke Castle voyaged from Liverpool,

England, and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, on September 8, 1875, with 238 of George Vesey Stewart’s settlers on-board They travelled on to Katikati via Tauranga, arriving a few days later Goh said the church doors at 1 Mulgan St, Katikati, will open 2.30pm on April 19, with the concert to begin 3pm

“A selection of raffles will be sold and drawn at the concert ’ s closing to help our band fundraise for the cost of hiring the venue.

“So grab your tickets on the day – they will cost $2 each or three for $5 and be in the draws to win!”

Concert tickets cost $10 each, and Under-12s gain free entry Tickets are available to purchase online at: www.theartsjunction org.nz at the door or at The Arts Junction, 39 Main Rd, Katikati

Falls prevention workshop for seniors

Hato Hone St John is hosting a Falls Prevention workshop for seniors in Katikati this month.

Each year during April St John promotes its work in the prevention and referral area through its April Falls campaign

The fun, free event for Katikati seniors is on April 21, from 10am-11.30am in the Katikati War Memorial Hall

Attendees will learn practical ways to stay strong and steady on their feet, and be confident at home in their community

There’s a free strength and balance class, support services and free advice on-site and a free app to download For more information, or to RSVP, text 027 252 7156 or email: berenice.langson@ stjohn.org.nz

Course to teach seniors about the world of AI

Katikati Community Centre is hosting an event to enhance AI (Artificial Intelligence) use for seniors this month The two-hour course will help seniors to understand and use AI with confidence, with safe and easy tips to learn

The event is on Thursday, April 23, from 9 30am at the centre on Beach Rd Entry is $5 per person Enrol online at: www katikaticommunity nz at the centre ’ s reception

Repair those household items for free

The Repair Café is open this Saturday, April 11, at Katikati Community Baptist Church from 9.30am-midday

Katikati residents are welcome to take along household items to the café, where volunteer expert fixers will help repair the goods for free.

The Repair Café opens once-a-month, and the next date will be Saturday, May 9.

Find out more about the Repair Café by emailing: repaircafekatikati@gmail com or visit: www facebook. com/RepairCafeKatikati

Katikati Concert Band in action last October at their end-of-year concert. Photo / Supplied

Hot ro s rea to re up ire un s

Summerset by the Sea residents and the wider Katikati community can travel l back k in tiime on Apriil 19, when a hot rod display revs up to raise funds for the town ’ s volunteer fire brigade.

The Summerset by the Sea Hot Rod Display, to be hosted in association with Henry’s Rod Shop, will be held at the Park Road Reserve from 9.30am-2.30pm on Sunday, April 19.

Summerset by the Sea village manager Casey Hope, who is also a member of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade, had come up with the event from a similar outing by her residents last year

“It came about from last year ’ s high tea at Athenree Homestead, where Henry’s Rod Shop picked up some our Summerset residents to drive out and enjoy the day

“Now we thought it’s best we return the favour to host an event here – so we can also open it up to the wider community

to enjoy while still making it accessible to Summerset residents who live across the r road ”

Hope said the Park Road Reserve was chosen as the event ’ s location to make it easy for Summerset residents to stroll across from the village and enjoy wheeled beauties of all sizes, shapes and colours

“We want them to be able to come and have a look,” Hope said. “We have more than 250 residents with our village, who we know will really enjoy such an outing.”

People can expect to see classic cars and hot rods of all makes and models – including an appearance by Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade’s old fire truck.

“The old fire truck is a 1953 Ford that was converted into a fire appliance in the 1950s,” said Hope. “This truck is still owned by the brigade and will be on show at the Hot Rod Display on April 19.”

Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Craig Gray said his station has 30 volunteers in total, which included six new recruits undergoing training.

A moth plant drop-off day is being held in Katikati on Monday to allow the community to rid their backyards of the invasive pest plant

The Western Bay Weedbusters Moth Plant Drop-off Day will be held on April 13, from 10am-2pm at The Big Avocado carpark, off State Highway 2, in Katikati

Hosted by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the day will allow the community to drop off the invasive species for disposal

“This time of the year is prime pod time for moth plants

Help stop the spread of this invasive species by collecting its

“So far this year we have attended 40 callouts On average we attend roughly 200 callouts per year, including anything from rubbish fires to motor vehicle accidents ”

Fund raised at the Hot Rod Display on April 19 would go towards a project to replace the brigade’s aging van, Gray said.

“We want to replace the van with a 4WD double-cab ute that we can use as a rapid response vehicle for medical events and rural fires Anything raised would us help us along with this project.”

Henry’s Rod Shop owner Ray Thompson said his business had got involved in the fundraiser because he appreciates what the brigade do for the town and community “They’re good bastards!”

Hope said the hot rod display would be a family-friendly event, with Summerset by the Sea’s café open next-door in the village for food and refreshments along with a sausage sizzle at Park Road Reserve.

“We will have extra staff in our café for

pods before they burst,” said the council

Those with moth plants need to gather the pods, bag them and bring them along and the weedbusters team would deal with the rest

According to the council, the moth plant or kapok plant (Araujia hortorum) was introduced from South America to New Zealand as an ornamental species and recorded as naturalised in 1888

The pest plant grows rapidly, forming large, heavy, longlived masses in the canopy and produces masses of viable seed that travel long distances via wind The plant could be found

the day so we hope the community can support us too ”

Hope said that her staff and her village resident committee, who were helping her organise the event, knew that a hot rod display would be something special for Summerset residents.

“A lot of these hot rods and classic cars that will park up at the event will be the vehicles that our residents drove when they were young adults, so it brings that nostalgia of going back to their younger days when they were just starting out in the world and enjoying the freedom youth offers you. It will take them back to happy memories I’m sure. ”

Hope said people wanting to display their own classic cars or hot rods on April 19 need to contact her before the event by emailing: casey.hope@ summerset.co.nz or phone Henry’s Rod Shop on 07 242 4367.

Otherwise, mark April 19 ‘ as busy’ and get along to the free, fun family day out at Park Road Reserve.

in any frost-free habitat, council said

“Left unchecked, this invasive species can quickly take over You can make a real difference by collecting and disposing of its pods before they burst and spread their seeds on the wind

“This time of year is prime pod time for moth plants, which means if they’re not dealt with now even more with be popping up That’s why we ’ ve set up a community pod disposal event You collect them, we’ll handle the rest!”

People were advised to use gloves and cover exposed skin –the sap can cause a rash – to collect the plant Find out more at: www facebook com/events/943292471992441

Merle Cave

Life memberships for ladies of the toy library

Two women who keep Katikati Toy Library alive and well – in front and behind the scenes – have been made life members of the nonprofit group by its committee

Toy librarian Sandy Goode was bestowed her life membership at Katikati Toy Library Committee’s Annual General Meeting on March 12 in recognition of her ongoing efforts to keep the library operating across more than three decades

The committee simply regarded Goode as “the heart and soul of Katikati Toy Library” who does everything in her power to run and grow the community asset she’s a founding member of Jean Peat was awarded her Katikati Toy Library life membership for her unwavering support of Goode by volunteering at the library for the last nine years – often when no other volunteers were available

Sandy’s journey

Goode said she was helping with antenatal classes locally in the 1990s when she met Phillippa Wright and Wendy Shanley “who were the driving force behind opening Katikati’s toy library”

“A few of us joined the first committee and got it up and running in 1995 ”

Goode’s contribution to the library had morphed into her becoming the toy librarian – eventually, a paid position – and she’d never stopped being part of the community asset “It’s been 31 years now, ” said Goode

Why keep at it? “I just believe in it Don’t get me started on why toy libraries don’t get government funding like book libraries do,” she said.

“I support book libraries receiving funding but I do believe toys are just as important in children’s lives – I believe that our children should have this asset

“There’s been times when I’ve thought about going then my grandson came along and my interest and love for it was renewed ”

Goode said one main reason she kept involved was seeing when children the entered the library “That’s what I love the most – I see how they first react to the toys ”

Enter Jean

It was also Goode who approached Peat to join the library as a grandparent member nearly a decade ago “I only joined because Sandy drove up my

driveway as an RD [Rural Delivery postie driver] and saw two of my grandkids playing the in backyard and asked me, ‘Why don’t you join the toy library?’ I asked, ‘What’s the toy library?’ I didn’t know they existed ”

Peat said she initially offered to volunteer once-monthly at the library –that turned more frequent very quickly Now one grandchild that Goode had spotted in the backyard was 11

“Those grandchildren used to visit from the Netherlands and it was great to be able to borrow toys for them,” said Peat “I just come down and do my thing, checking toys ”

Through the library Goode and Peat had built a special friendship

“Once I had a bill I couldn’t pay, and Jean and her husband Harold paid it

for me, ” said Goode “I like helping at the toy library because I used to work as a teacher and was always in charge of resources, ” said Peat “I went to so many schools where resources weren ’ t organised I love order – so this is a job where I can do order ”

The unseen work

Peat had become indispensable to Goode and the toy library Her work included counting toys, re-organising stock, preparing toys for their first loan, repairing toys, making systems for missing and replacement pieces, right through to opening the library when

Goode and her committee couldn’t

Why does she like the toy library? “People think the toy library is only for youngsters but there are many toys and activities here that 12-year-olds will play with and enjoy

“When I have grandkids to stay they can have a whole morning just on one toy –that’s great for me! I don’t have to occupy them and when they leave, I bring the toys back!

“My grandkids now go online and pick out toys on our library’s ‘Click and Collect’ system ”

Peat said the toy library also offered an incredibly affordable way to expose children to toys as they grow

“My toy library account says I’ve borrowed $17,000 worth of toys since I joined That’s how much it would have cost me to buy them.”

‘Couldn’t’ without her

Asked what Peat means to the toy library, Goode said: “I couldn’t run it without her”

Goode said Peat had become her lifeline, especially for covering shifts and cataloguing “Every decision I make, I

now run past Jean,” said Goode “Often, if she didn’t open the library, it just wouldn’t open ”

Peat said the reason Harold and her paid a bill for Goode years ago was, “because we saw how hard she worked at this place” “I think Sandy should be recognised for all the extra hours she does at the toy library above her paid hours – her life membership is recognition ”

Incredibly grateful

Katikati Toy Library Committee co-president Merle Cave said Goode’s life membership award was “well overdue” considering all the work she’d put into the library across 31 years

“And to be able to honour her friend and most-hardworking volunteer Jean Peat [with a life membership] at the same time was beautiful.

“They work together as a team so well – and the committee is so incredibly grateful for everything that Sandy and Jean do for our community’s toy library It was an honour to be able to recognise their hard work, passion and love for this huge community asset ”

Find out more about Katikati Toy Library at: https://katikatitoylibrary org nz

Cave

*Disclaimer: Merle Cave is employed as editor of Katikati News and volunteers as co-president of Katikati Toy Library Committee

Merle

Sandy Goode, left with fellow Toy Library committee member Tracy Willing and daughter Nicola Willing back in 2001. Photo / File

Sandy Goode and good friend Jean Peat with their life memberships certificates inside Katikati Toy Library. Photo / Merle Cave

S d G d l f i h f ll T Lib i

Katikati parties it up on Main St

Intriguing sights, relaxing sounds and free children’s activities pulled quite crowd to Katikati’s Main St on March 28, as the town ’ s annual jazz party unfurled for 2026.

Part of Tauranga’s 2026 jazz festival, Katikati’s instalment brought rhythm and energy to Main St all day long as people – young and old – flocked to enjoy the free entertainment.

Talented musicians, street performers, and a kids’ circus workshop under blue skies drew audiences, while usual a weekend market outside the memorial hall and vehicles flooding through Main St on n the way to Beach Hop on the Coromandel also added to the hype Katikati News reeporter Merle Cave