Katikati News

Rose’s road

It’s not often you meet someone who has turned 100

Someone who lived when black-andwhite telly was it, Ford Model Ts ruled the road, and everyone went to the dance every Saturday night in the local hall

For Katikati woman Rose Mischewski, pictured, she doesn’t even think it’s worth Katikati News visiting her to cover her milestone But she does love her birthday card from the King – just before his birthday

And after a lot of laughter, reminiscing and trips down memory lane, the carefree centenarian – who is still mobile, lucid and light-hearted, did have some sage advice for younger readers “Go ahead and enjoy your life and do what you want to do. “Don’t try to do something someone else has done – just do what you want ” Read her story on page s6-7

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Make a blood donation next week

A special event is happening in Katikati to mark National Volunteer Week next month – and it needs more community groups to participate

Hosted by Volunteering Services and Katch Katikati, the Katichat event on June 17 from 10am-11.30am at The Arts Junction, 36 Main Rd, will be focused on volunteering

Local community organisations were invited to register to speak on what their group offers the community and what’s involved in running it. “We’re still looking for five community groups or local non-profits to come and speak if they want – which may help them secure new volunteers,” said Katch Katikati manager Jacqui Knight.

“We have allocated 15 spaces. So if people are keen to come and talk to the group – they just need to register to me. They come along on the day – and the general public is invited to hear about what community groups exist locally or to get a bit more information about what’s involved in volunteering locally”

So far community groups signed up to talk included Katikati Open Air

Art, Katikati Lions, the co n club, St John’s, the foodbank, the repair café and fire and emergency services

“A group just needs one individual who is able to stand and talk for five minutes to the public about what’s involved in volunteering for their group ”

Knight said learning about volunteering options in the community is vital for Katikati to progress as a community and support its own.

“I think part of the strength of Katikati is the amount of volunteer groups and services that we have and the high percentage of active retirees who want to be involved and still do things in the community,” she said

“So this is a great opportunity for anyone in the community wanting to do that and have that stimulation to be part of the community to see what’s out there and how they may be able to help out.

”

Knight said the special Katichat event on June 17 is open to the public but attendees must preregister by phoning 07 549 5250 or email:info@katchkaikati.org.nz for catering purposes.

Katikati residents are encouraged to donate blood next week when the Mobile Blood Drive service rolls into town on June 2-3. The service will be stationed at Katikati War Memorial Hall for the two days – but the New Zealand Blood Serive asks that would-be donors book in donation appointments ahead of time. To book an appointment go online to: www.nzblood.co.nz/booking and click on WAI Mobile Katikati. To become a donor, find out more at: www.nzblood.co.nz/ become-a-donor

Youth invited to Street Art event at Skate Park

A free four-day workshop teaching youth street art will happen at Katikati Skatepark next month – and those interested aged from 7-17 can just turn up on the weekend! Street Art with Kalib Wallace will take place from 9am-5pm on June 19-22 at the Katikati Skate Park.

Organised by Peri St John-Ives of Katikati Open Air Art, the event will see the skatepark’s skate bowl spraypainted by youth to enhance the area.

St John-Ives said selected Katikati College students will learn art techniques from Wallace on June 19 and 22 – but the weekend days of June 20-21 would be for youth aged 7-17 to rock up and take part.

“No experience is needed – and all art supplies have been sponsored,” she said A reveal of the work will happen at the park, with food, a DJ, prizes and demonstrations, on June 28 from 10am. Find out more on the Katikati Open Air Art Facebook page.

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Workshops o on local overnment reor anisation

Western Bay of Plenty District

Council is hosting six workshops next month to give people the chance to speak with councillors and council staff on whether it should merge with other councils

Following the Government’s May 5 announcement that councils had a threemonth window to work with others in their region and put forward proposals for how they want to reorganise their local government arrangements, Western Bay of Plenty District Council this week released a discussion document that set out five scenarios of what that could look like for the Western Bay From this it was encouraging the community to share their views.

“Change is coming to local government, ” said Western Bay Mayor James Denyer “The current government has made it clear it wants fewer councils, so this is our opportunity to explore what that could mean for Western Bay – and to make sure our community’s voice is part of that conversation,” he said.

The ‘Head Start’ pathway

The Government’s new ‘Head Start’ pathway for local government reform signalled a move toward fewer, larger councils, including the creation of unitary authorities that would combine regional and local council responsibilities. Under the framework, councils which choose to submit an outline proposal must do so by August 9, 2026. If approved by government, Head Start proposals would be in place for the 2028 elections. Those that choose not to be part of the Head Start pathway would continue through to the 2028 elections under the Backstop process, which may involve the Government reorganising

existing councils into unitary authorities

Denyer said there is no single preferred option for Western Bay of Plenty District Council at this stage. “We’re keeping an open mind There are a range of possible scenarios – from staying closer to home, to working with neighbouring councils at a larger scale – and each comes with opportunities and challenges.

“What matters most is understanding what our communities value,” he said.

Five scenarios

The council had come up with five scenarios:

• Regional unitary authority – all councils in the Bay of Plenty region (Western Bay, Tauranga City, Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki) reorganise to become one unitary authority that carries out all the functions of both local and regional council.

• Sub-regional unitary authority –Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council reorganise to become one unitary authority that carries out all the functions of both local and regional council, within the existing Western Bay and Tauranga City boundaries.

• Provincial unitary authority – Western Bay of Plenty District Council and other district councils in the existing Bay of Plenty region (Rotorua, Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, but excluding Tauranga City) reorganise to become one unitary authority that carries out all the functions of both local and regional council.

• District split – the Western Bay is split,

with different parts of the district joining different councils. For example, Western Bay could be split into East and West areas based on current known geographic boundaries, and each of these areas could join with their neighbouring councils

• Western Bay unitary authority –Western Bay of Plenty District Council doesn’t join with any other councils, but takes on the functions of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council that can best be delivered locally A region-wide Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), jointly owned by other councils in the Bay of Plenty, is formed to take on those functions that are better delivered regionally Some functions could be delivered at a national level.

While a Western Bay unitary authority did not fit the Government’s criteria for the Head Start pathway, this option had been included to inform future decision making by council, Denyer said

“Each comes with trade-offs for local voice, representation, cost and how closely decisions reflect local needs,” he said.

“The future shape of local government will ultimately be determined by central government “Regardless of what direction is taken our focus will remain the same – to act in the best interests of our communities and stand up for what matters most to Western Bay”

He said financial analysis would play a big part in considering the merits of the different scenarios but, given the tight deadline, this hadn’t been explored in detail at this stage.

The workshops

The council is running a series of six workshops in June for people to speak with councillors and council staff on this subject.

The locations and dates are: Waihī Beach on June 2 from 6pm-8pm at Waihī Beach United Church; Ōmokoroa on June 3 from 6pm-8pm at Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall; Te Puna on June 4 from 6pm-8pm at Te Puna Rugby Club; Katikati on June 8 from 6-8pm at Pātuki Manawa Katikati library (in the Boyd and McKinney rooms); Maketū on June 9 from 6pm8pm at Whakaue Marae; and Te Puke on June 10 from 6pm-8pm at The Orchard Church

Following a short presentation each workshop will have a series of tables focusing on the possible reorganisation scenarios, and what matters most to residents about how their community is represented. Participants will have the opportunity to move around and spend equal time at each of the tables To register to attend any of the workshops, visit: https://yourplace.westernbay.govt. nz/embeds/projects/107180/surveytools/124469

Have your say

The community can also share their views until midnight June 14 by going online and completing a survey at: https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/ local-government-reform Online: visit Your Place Western Bay of Plenty for more information and to provide your views via an online survey

Nominations welcome for excellence awards

Organisers are calling on the public for nominations for the 2026 Katikati and Waihī Beach Community Business Awards, with some changes to the event this year

Co-hosted by Katch Katikati and Waihī Beach Events and Promotions and sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson, the biennial event celebrates people, businesses and organisations that make the two coastal communities thrive

The public has until June 30 to nominate businesses, community groups and individuals across 11 categories down from 13 last time, with some awards renamed and reconfigured

The 2026 categories are Employee of the Year, Cultural Ambassador of the Year, Tradesperson of the Year, Sportsmanship Award, Local Hero Award, Retail Excellence Award, Hospitality Excellence Award, Tourism Provider of the Year, Small Business Excellence Award, Organisation of the Year, and Event of the Year

Another change to the event is a diverse panel of judges will select category winners instead of the former process of the public voting online for the most popular nominee to take the awards Awards spokesperson Jacqui Knight said the new judging process will ensure a fair and balanced process for those nominated “Nominations will be assessed by judges, bringing a range of perspectives and expertise to deliver fair and considered outcomes across all categories ”

The 2026 Katikati and Waihī Beach

Community Business Awards Night –where winners will be announced – will take place on September 3 at a new location – Fairview Golf & Country Club with Kiwi celebrity chef, clinical dietitian and entrepreneur Nadia Lim the evening’s keynote speaker.

Knight said the public is now invited to nominate those people in local business and organisations who make a huge impact in the Katikati and Waihī Beach communities

“From small startups to established edicated

Knight said the 2026 event had come at a meaningful time for the communities

“This year feels especially significant After a period where many businesses have faced real challenges, it’s the perfect moment to come together, recognise resilience, and celebrate the wins, big and small,” she said

“There’s so much passion, grit and innovation in Katikati and Waihī Beach

– and these awards are about shining a light on that and lifting each other up

With the excitement already building, our message is simple – get nominating and be part of it ”

Nominations are free to make, and

volunteers to industry leaders, the awards shine a spotlight on those going above and beyond

“Tell us which local businesses or organisations you love and why they deserve recognition, there’s never been a better time to be loud and proud in the name of excellence ”

need to be made by June 30 To view categories and information on the awards and make nominations, visit: Katikati org nz or waihibeach co nz

The winners from 2024’s Katikati and Waihī Beach Commuunit usiness wards held at The Secret Garden, Waihī Beach. Photo / Cassandra a Sharp Photography

Connecting rural generosity with local need

More whānau across the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga are putting nutritious meals on the table, thanks to the work of farmerfounded charity Meet the Need

Meet the Need is a nationwide organisation that connects rural generosity with communities facing food insecurity, helping ensure protein-rich food reaches people who need it most.

Since launching in 2020, the organisation has delivered more than 4.2 million mince meals and milk to families nationwide, working with more than 145 foodbanks and community organisations Meet the Need marketing and communications lead Rachael Sutton said the charity enabled farmers and everyday New Zealanders to donate livestock, milk, or cash for high-quality protein to be distributed through foodbanks and community organisations across the country.

People who need it most

“At our core, we ’ re about getting nutritious, protein-rich food to the people who need it most, while creating a simple, trusted way for farmers to give back,” Sutton said.

In Tauranga and the Western BOP, Meet the Need worked closely with a network of six foodbanks and community groups that were supporting whānau on the ground.

“In the last year alone, we ’ ve supplied over 50,000 mince meals and milk portions across the region,” Sutton said. For many foodbanks, access to protein

remained one of the biggest challenges, she said. “It is consistently one of the most in-demand items, but also one of the hardest to source. “Donated mince is especially valuable because it is versatile, easy to portion, and can be used to create multiple meals for families, making it a practical and high-impact form of support. ”

Access to good-quality protein was fundamental to health and wellbeing, Sutton said. It supported physical development, energy levels and immune function, which was important for children and growing families.

Stability, dignity

“For many whānau, being able to put a proper meal on the table also reduces stress and brings a greater sense of stability and dignity”

When nutritious food was more accessible, families were better able to stay connected to work, school, and community life, with fewer difficult tradeoffs between food and other essentials.

TECT Community Trust supported Meet the Need’s work locally, helping ensure donations can be processed, prepared and delivered where they are needed most.

TECT trustee Rachael Gemming said enabling collaboration was key to making initiatives like this possible at a regional level.

“Food security plays a vital role in the wellbeing and resilience of our communities.

“Supporting partnerships like this helps bring together farmers, funders,

foodbanks, and community organisations to deliver practical solutions that make a real difference for whānau,” Gemming said.

“What makes this work so powerful is that everyone has a role to play Whether it’s donating livestock, funding the process, or supporting local organisations, it shows food insecurity is something we can address together When communities come together, we can make a real difference,” she said.

Meet the Need’s model was built on that same idea, Sutton said, connecting people and organisations that each play a role in the solution.

1.2 million meals

She said donations from farmers were

processed through industry partners and distributed through foodbanks which understood the needs of their communities.

Across New Zealand more than 1.2 million mince meals and milk were delivered in the past year thanks to Meet the Need

Behind each of those meals is a whānau doing their best to get by That impact is felt beyond the food itself, Sutton said

“It’s not just about food, it’s about connection, dignity, and showing up for one another “This connection between rural and urban communities is helping build a stronger, more resilient region ” Find out more at: https://meettheneed. org.nz

and to provide feedback online, scan the QR code or visit: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz

Rose takes a trip down

Rose Mischewski is happy chewing the fat with her grandson’s wife as she shuffles to her favourite spot in the sunroom, laughter chortling from her every time she’s asked another question about herself “Where’s all this going?” asked the new centenarian.

Once she heard it was to be printed in the local paper, she replied: “Oh, bloody hell!” Followed by more laughter

Rose Nellie Amundsen was born May 13, 1926, to Alfred and Annie Amundsen of Horopito, a rural area between today’s village of National Park and town of Raetihi.

Growing up

She became the oldest of five children. “My brothers were Ron, Don and Colin and my sister was Matilda,” Rose said. “We grew up on a farm under the mountain of Ruapehu.”

But she was scared of animals. “Especially the cows – we had about 10 that had to be milked,” she said. “And I never learned how to swim ” She played the piano accordion “but I had no music lessons”. “My sister had lessons and I used to watch and listen to her and then try ”

As a teen, Rose loved to go to the

pictures. “There movies in those She also loved g to dances on Sa night in her you was scary walkin in the dark. I’d railway line and into the hills un went past…wel do it! Or else yo home,” she laug a little dog and Sailor He’d be w fence ”

e were good e days ” going aturday uth “It ng home follow the d head up ntil the train ll, you had to ou’d be staying ghed “I had I named him waiting at the

If it was rainin and her friends the dance. “We the door and pu it was funny”

ng or snowing Rose wore gumboots to ’d take them off at ut our shoes on Oh

Enter ‘Chu

um ’ Clarence hen 9 in akune

She married C ‘Chum’ Joseph Mischewski wh she was aged 19 1945 at the Ohakune registry office. He’d come home from World War II serving with the army at Guadalcanal when he met Rose.

“He worked in the sawmill and I used to work in the cookhouse, serving meals and cleaning dishes. There were so many dishes and Chum would come and help

me wash them.” It wasn ’ t love at first sight, but he took her to the pictures. Slowly love came. The couple had three children – Kevin, the late Brian, and Linda. Kevin said he was about 4 when the

family moved to Tokoroa, a fledgling place growing with the forestry industry fuelling the local sawmill. “It was a new town back then. Mum and dad had to go Putaruru to get groceries. It was just a dirt road ”

Katikati Bypass on the agenda in regional deal

New tolls will be explored for New Zealand’s most-tolled region under a new agreement between Western Bay of Plenty councils and the Government.

The long-discussed Katikati Bypass is also on the agenda, earmarked for funding from asset sales. The Western Bay of Plenty city and regional deal signed on May 14 at Bay Oval outlines a 10-year partnership delivering housing and transport projects Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts signed the regional deal – the Government’s second after Auckland’s agreement last month.

The local parties are the Tauranga City, Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Regional councils.

The deal aimed to align how central and local government plan, fund and deliver infrastructure, after what leaders said had been years of disconnect between the two Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairwoman Matemoana McDonald said the agreement was an important milestone but warned its success would depend on continued collaboration “There are very difficult waters that lie ahead of us.

“We have to be grateful that we have had the opportunity to enter this deal today, but the more important thing that we must remember is that if we don’t work collaboratively and if we don’t join hands, this is not going to work.”

She said this was an opportunity to make a “glowing example” for the rest of the country

Major projects

The deal identified three major growth corridors centred on the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL), Takitimu North Link (TNL) and Tauriko West. These were intended to support housing and business development. It committed to prioritising two Roads of

National Significance.

The first was the TNL stage two (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa), which was recently approved for Fast-track Approvals Act consent

Widening State Highway 29A for Tauriko West was the other priority, to enable hundreds more homes and a 43ha expansion of the Tauriko Business Estate, plus about 3000 homes in the Keenan Rd housing growth area and industrial land development at Lower Belk Rd.

The deal’s “exploring further tolling” commitment may include “tolling of the three main highway entrances to Tauranga” –perhaps with different toll rates for trucks

The region has two of New Zealand’s three toll roads, including the TEL (more gantries coming soon) and Takitimu Drive. The Government has confirmed the TNL will be tolled when it opens. State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range and State Highway 36 towards Rotorua are not tolled. Part of State Highway 2 north of Tauranga will become a local road when the TNL opens.

Bishop said the corridors “ are going to unlock thousands of new homes and businesses and support thousands of new jobs” Estimates included capacity for about 12,000 new greenfield homes, 3000 infill homes, 350ha of industrial land and at least 15,000 new jobs.

Katikati Bypass

Projects were expected to be funded through a mix of government transport budgets and council long-term plans, alongside new funding tools still being worked through.

Bishop said an “innovative feature” of the deal was a proposal for central and local government to jointly fund projects using proceeds from asset recycling and a Crown “uplift” – with total Crown contributions considered case by case.

Watts said no decisions had been made on which assets could be sold or repurposed.

“We have the opportunities to be able to recycle assets to deploy that capital into areas of high priority”

), recently approved for Fast-track Approvals Act consent. Photo /

The deal stated this would be used for projects to improve productivity along State Highway 2. The initial projects agreed were the Connecting Mount Maunganui upgrades to Hull Rd, Hewletts Rd and Totara St, and the Katikati Bypass.

Katikati is bisected by SH2 and a bypass around the township has been talked about for decades – the library has material going back to 1960. The deal also mentioned Health NZ plans to redevelop Tauranga Hospital in stages across 20 years, with a push to release the hold on Tauranga Racecourse land once earmarked for a new hospital.

Seymour said the agreement marked a shift in how central and local government worked together “For too long, there has been no co-operation,” he said.

“We’ve never had this level of formal co-operation between local government and central government ”

Watts said the key benefit of the deal was greater certainty

“Often underestimated is the power of certainty – actually knowing what we ’ re going to do in the next decade

and what we ’ re not going to do ”

He said the agreement would support longterm growth, productivity and resilience, positioning the Western Bay as a major trade and export hub

“This deal is about ensuring growth is well planned, well connected and backed by the infrastructure communities need.”

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said aligning priorities between central and local government would help address longstanding challenges in the region

“By aligning central and local government in these areas, we can make real progress on solving some of the biggest issues communities face.”

Local MP Sam Uffindell said the agreement reinforced the region’s role in New Zealand’s export economy, driven by industries such as kiwifruit and freight. “When this region grows, NZ grows. ” – LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Ayla Yeoman

The regional deal committed to prioritising two Roads o National Signiificance – thhe first was thhe T TNL stage two ( (Te P Puna to Ō Ōmokkoroa)

Kelly O’Hara

Rose Mischewski at home in Katikati, reading her 100th birthday card from the King and Queen. Photo /Merle Cave

memory lane...

Chum worked in the sawmill, among other jobs, while Rose raised the children. She also worked cleaning her children’s school and the bank, and at a grocer ’ s store. “I had to weigh up all the items like flour – everything was always spot on, ” she said.

Kevin said his mother was strict. “You don’t eat your vegetables, you don’t get no pudding and you’d be sent to bed,” said Kevin.

But she kept her children well-fed and cared for Childhood holidays were spent at Whangamatā – and the family moved to Papakura after 10 years in Tokoroa

Her passions

In Papakura Rose tended a big vegetable garden. “She loved gardening and she also was a baker” Her steamed and plum puddings were legendary

She also loved going into the city to the casino with friend Beth “They’d catch the train from South Auckland,” said her grandson’s wife Sonya Mischewski “They took their own biscuits and got a free cup of tea at McDonald’s, then they’d go to the casino to play the pokies, and have fish and chips for dinner”

“She was also an honourary member of Papakura RSA as she was part of a skiffle band, playing home-made instruments,” Kevin said Unfortunately, Rose became what Kevin described as ‘the last of the Mohicans’ as her friends died and the band folded When Kevin’s wife died 25 years ago, his mother moved in with him – and

never left They moved to Katikati’s Fairview Estate nine years ago

Today Rose has 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren

Despite having Macular Degeneration, the onset of dementia and a crook back, she’s determined to make it to 101 Rose’s family held a centenary birthday party Fairview Golf & Countr Club for her on May 16, with 50-odd family and friends She received birthday cards from King

Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Seniors Minister Casey Costello, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, and Coromandel MP Scott Simpson “Oh lovely!” said Rose, learning she’d outlived the Queen Pearls of wisdom

today, she said, “I’m buggered if I’d know ” followed by a hoot of laughter “Eat your food up – plenty of it!” Another pearl of wisdom: “Go ahead and enjoy your life and do what you want to do Don’t try to do something someone else has done – just do what you want!” Costello people