Katikati News

Come, connect, learn

It’sadarkandchillingmorningbutthe eventwillsimplywarmyoursouland shineabrightlightontheyearahead. OnceagainKatikatiisinvitedtocome togethertoconnect,learnandobserve theMāoriNewYear(TeMātahioteTau) atitsfourthannualcommunityMatariki dawneventonJuly10.

HostedatTeWhareoRahi,Park RoadReserveonParkRdbyWestern BayMuseumincollaborationwith manawhenuaTeRereatukahiaoNgāi Tamawhariua,thefreeeventisatime forthecommunitytocometogetherto celebrateMatarikibysettingnewgoals, rememberingthosewhohavepassedand

thesharingofkai(food).

MuseummanagerPaulaGaelicsaidthe eventwillrunsimilarlytolastyear,with expertson-sitetoopenthewindowtoTe AoMāori(theMāoriworldview).

“Forthoseunsureornervousabout headingoutearlyonawinter’smorning–wehaveabigmarqueeupsoifweatheris badtheywon’tgetwet.

“Wehavelotsofseatingforthosewho can’twalkfar,andtheentryatthereserve islitsopeoplecanseetheirwaytothe marquee.Wealsohavefirebraziersfor whānau(families)tokeepwarm.”People areencouragedtoarriveat5.30am.Read moreonpage5. Photo/AnnaMenendezPhotography

COPIES AVAILABLE FROM:

Barfoot & Thompson Waihi Beach

Beach Grocers

Beach Haven

Beachhaven Caravan Park

Flat White Cafe

G A S Waihi Beach

iSite Waihi

Seaforth Park

Seaside Store

Waihi Beach 4 Square

Waihi Beach Superette

Waihi Town Cats

BP Service Station

Woolworths Katikati

EVES - Katikati

Katikati 4 Square

Katikati Information Centre

Katikati Paper Plus

Katikati Primary School

Katikopy Print

Park Road Dairy

Raine & Horne

Don’tgetdupedbyfraudulentonlinesellers!

Unfortunately,more casesofFacebook

Marketplacefraud havebeenreported topoliceinthe Katikatidistrict.

Katikati policereport

Sergeant SteveHindmarsh

Inonecasethebuyerhaspaidforgoods upfrontfromafraudulentseller.This platformisrampantwithfraudulent sellers,sobuyersneedtobeawarethat payingmoneyupfrontisrisky.

Burglaries

June14:AClarkeRdcommercial orchardatTePunawasenteredandpower toolswerestolen.Plantswerestolenfrom aneighbouringpropertydayslater(see apprehensions).

June19:Atractorandtrailerwere stolenfromtheŌmokoroaCountryClub duringthenightandtakenforajoyride. Theitemswerelocatedabandonedin HeartwoodAve.

June21:AshopontheMainRdof Katikatiwasenteredovernightthrougha rearwindowandcashwastakenfromthe cashregister.

Theft

June13:Another45kg LPGbottlewasstolen frombehindMainRd shopsinKatikati.

June13:Therewere fourpetroldrive-offs fromservicestationbetweensKatikatiand Whakamārama.Inquiriesarecontinuing.

June14:Petrolwasstolenfromavehicle andashedonWaterfordRdinKatikati (seeapprehensions).

June14:Sometimepriortomiddayan offenderenteredaBoydStaddressand stolemeatfromafreezer.

June20:Abatterychargerwastaken fromthedoorstepofaBeachRdproperty.

June21:About300litresofdieselwas stolenovernightfromadiggerparkedona WoodlandRdpropertyatTahawai.

Arrestsandapprehensions

June16:A33-year-oldBethlehem womanwasarrestedafterasearchwarrant wasexecutedatheraddressinrelation toburglariescommittedinClarkeRdat TePuna.Someitemswererecoveredand thewomanwaschargedwithburglary. Anothermaleattheaddresswasarrested forbreachinghisbailconditions.

June19:A37-year-oldKatikatimanwas chargedwithshopliftingalcoholfroma localliquorstore.

June19:A73-year-oldKatikatiman waschargedwithtrespassingatalocal storeagain.

June24:A29-year-oldTePunamanwas arrestedforthreateningbehaviour.

June24:A43-year-oldTePunaman wasarrestedonawarranttoarrestfor failingtoappearincourt.Twodrug relatedchargeswereadded.Hewas remandedincustody.

The Centre - Patuki Manawa & Library

Bower Real Estate Katikati

Caltex Service Station

June24:Toolswerestolenfroman outdoorstorageboxataUretaraDrive propertyinKatikati.

June14:A35-year-oldKatikatiman wasarrestedinrelationtostealingfuel fromavehicleonWaterfordRd.The homeownerdisturbedtheoffenderand apolicedogunitfromTaurangatracked thesuspecttotheUretaraDomain wherehewasarrested.Hewasalso chargedwithtrespassandshoplifting fromKatikati4Square.

June24:A28-year-oldŌmokoroa manwasarrestedandchargedwith drug-relatedchargesincluding manufacturingmethamphetamine.He alsohadwarrantsforhisarrest.Hewas remandedincustody.

June24:A30-year-oldKatikati womanwasarrestedonfiveoutstanding warrantsforherarrest.Shewas remandedincustody.

Fresh Choice Supermarket Omokoroa

Omokoroa Superette

Omokoroa Minimart

ChasethethrillofthechillatWaihīBeach

Advertising Enquiries: Story Ideas:

news@katikatiadvertiserconz

ThecountdownisonforoneofWaihīBeach’sfavourite mid-wintertraditions,withthePolarPlungesettomake itschillyreturnnextmonthonJuly11from12.30pm.

advertise@nzme conz

WaihīBeachLifeguardServicesIncchairDonnaPfefferlesays nowisthetimetosortacostume,rallyyourteam,orconvince yourselfthatcoldwaterischaracterbuilding.

“Dressup,headtothebeach,briefly questionyourlifechoices,thencharge intothewaterwithacrowdofequally committedlocals,”shesaid.

“Plungingisencouraged,but cheeringfromthesidelinesisalsoan importantcommunityservice.”

OrganisedandhostedbyWaihīBeach LifeguardServicesInc,thePolarPlunge hadbecomeaclassicWaihīBeach winterevent,Pfefferlesaid,bringing togetherwhānau,friends,workplaces, sportsteams,andcommunitygroups forachillybutcheerfulafternoon,all foragoldcoindonation.

“Thisyear,prizeswillbeawardedfor bestdressedacrossindividual,Under12,group,andcorporatecategories, thankstolocalsupportfromTheSauna Project,BachcareandTheSurfShack.

“Themorecolourful,creative,orridiculoustheoutfit,thebetter –animals,vegetables,heroesandbaddiesareallwelcome!”

PfefferlesaidvolunteerWaihīclubsurflifeguardswillsupportthe event,soplungerscantakepartknowingsafetyisfrontofmind.

“Afterwards,everyonecanheadtoTheDeckKitchen&Barto warmupwithtraditionalfavouritesincludingmulledwine,hot chocolate,coffeeandhotfood.”

Whetheryouarebraveenoughtoplungeorwiseenoughto staydry,bringyourbestcostumeenergyandbepartofaclassic winter’sdayatWaihīBeach.

WaihīBeachPolarPlungeisonJuly11from12.30pm.Entry isagoldcoindonation,withallproceedsgoingbacktoWaihī BeachLifeguardServicesInctosupportitsworkprotectinglives.

WhānauHauoraDayreturnstoKatikati!

TeRūnangaoNgāiTamawhariua isproudtobringbackWhānau HauoraDay–acelebrationof communitywellbeing,connection andcollectivecare–toKatikatifor itssecondyear.

Thefreeeventwilltakeplaceatthe KatikatiMemorialHallonWednesday, July8,from10am-1pm,withtherūnanga invitingeveryoneinthecommunityto comealongandengagewithlocalhealth andsocialsupportservices.

Thisyear’seventfocusesonWhānau Hauora–familywellbeing,saidTe RūnangaoNgāiTamawhariuaoperations managerValarieUilou.

Moreaccessible

“Itaimstomakehealthandsupport moreaccessiblebybridginggapsand connectingwhānaudirectlywithservices thatcare.

“Attendeescanchatwithproviders offeringadviceandresourcesonareas suchasbowelscreening,diabetescare, family-centredsupportserviceswith AvenuePacifica,andwhānausupport servicesincludingTeManuToroa,Well ChildTamarikiOra,andYouOKBro –akaupapaencouragingmentalhealth awarenessandsuicidepreventionamong tānethroughkorero,connection,and communityaroha.”

Visitorswillalsohavetheopportunity

todiscoverotherwhānau-centred programmes,includingparenting support,hauorainitiativesandpathways toholisticwellnessledbypassionatelocal providerswhotrulylovewhattheydo.

“Ourcommunitysupportservicesare incrediblepeople,”Uilousaid.

“Theycaredeeplyaboutour communityandwanttosharetheir knowledge,theirtimeandtheirarohato helpwhānauthrive.”

Connection,knowledge

“WhānauHauoraDayisabout connection,knowledge,andhauorafor everyone,”Uilousaid.

Alongsidehealthandwellbeing activities,whānau(families)canenjoya freesausagesizzle,giveaways,spotprizes andmajorprizesincludingaSuperRugby Chiefsmerchandisepack,$300worthof groceries,aChromebook,andmore.

Fortamariki(children),therewillbe plentyoffunwithapukanacompetition andmokostencilling.

UilousaidWhānauHauoraDayis opentoeveryone–tamariki,rangatahi (youth),pakeke(adults),andkaumātua (elders).

Freeforall!

“Whetheryou’relookingfor information,support,orsimplyagreat communitydayout,thisisachanceto strengthenconnectionandcelebratethe powerofcollectivewellbeing.Staytuned

toTeRūnangaoNgāiTamawhariua’s socialmediapagesforupdates, schedules,andprizedetails.”

WhānauHauoraDayisatKatikati MemorialHall,July8,from10am-1pm. Allarewelcomeandentryisfree.

Katikatisettoturnblueforcommunityevent y

Katikati will turn blue this weekend asresidents dress up and take part in the free HUME 5km/10km Fun Run/Walk on July 4

Starting and finishingat the Katikati War Memorial Hall, the event isopen toallages and abilities, with 5km and 10km walk andrun optionsdesigned togetthe whole community involved.

Hostedby HUME Pack-NCool,theevent began aspart of the business’s 40th anniversary celebrations and asa way to give back tothecommunity while creatingsomething inclusiveand meaningful for locals.

Event manager Alyson Bowker said the originalidea came directly from

staff and the wider community

“A survey with staff and talking with people resulted in the common themes of hosting a free event forall, giving back to the community,and help forthelocal foodbank ”

“It has such acommunity feel and everyone isthere toconnect with others versus just being a number People get dressed up and is a day focusedon participation rather than competition.”

Now in its third year, the event had grown into an annual celebration for Katikati held at the end of the kiwifruit season as a way to thank staff, growers and the wider community for their efforts across the year

Alongside that,it continued to reflect the values it was built on, Bowker said, which were a free, inclusive and grassroots event that welcomed everyone – regardlessof age, background or fitness level. She said that sense ofconnection is what kept people coming back

Thecourse follows footpaths, boardwalks and berms through the town and surrounding areas, making it pram and wheelchairfriendly

However, participants can expect more than just a walk or run, with a free sausage sizzle,face painting, balloon art,smoothie bikes and prizegiving post-event plus prizes for thebest dressed in blue

Registrations are open at: www humepack.co nz/fun-run or people canregisteron the day

Theevent’spostponementdate is July 18, if required

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua operations manager Valarie Uilou welcomes everyone –ttamariki (children),rrangatahi (youth),ppakeke (adults),aand kaumātua(elders)–toWhānauHauoraDay. Photo/Supplied

Participantsdressedinblueatthe 2025HUME 5km/10km FunRun/Walk. Photo/Supplied

MuralcompetitiontotransformnewWaihīBeachfacility

LiveWellWaihīBeachisinviting BayofPlentyartiststobepartofa meaningfulnewcommunityproject –helpingtransformtherecently openedAccessibleChangingFacility atWaihīBeachintoawelcoming, upliftingandinspiringspace throughart.

LiveWellWaihīBeach’sCindyClare saidthefacilitywasopenedinpartnership withtheWaihīBeachLifeguardServices ClubinMarchthisyear.

“Thefacilitywas createdtoprovide adignified andsupportive environment forpeoplewith disabilities, wheelchairusers andindividuals withsevere illnessesto comfortably prepareforand enjoytimeatthe beach,”shesaid.

Shortlyafter itopenedthe facilitywas recognisedby winningtheBestCollaborationAwardat the2026TECTCommunityAwards.

muralcompetitiontobringcolourand connectiontothefacility.

“LocatedwithintheLifeguardServices Club,thespaceisavailableyear-round forfreeusebypeoplewithdisabilitiesor complexneeds,”shesaid.

“Morethansimplypaintingwalls,the projectaimstocreateanatmosphere thathelpsusersfeelcalmandpositively connectedtothebeachexperiencefrom themomenttheyarrive.

Claresaidforsomepeopleusinga changingfacilityorgoingtothebeach canfeeloverwhelmingordifficult.“This muralisabout creatingasense ofbelongingand comfort.”

FinlayGrahamandmumKimberlycheck outthechangingfacilityatitsopening.

Colour,connection

Now,thankstoa$2130grantfrom theWesternBayCreativeCommunities

Thekaupapa behindthe projectcentreson artistsgivingback tothecommunity throughtheir creativity–using artasaformof connectionand therapy,shesaid.

“Themuralwill playanimportant roleinhelping peoplewho mayotherwise feelnervousor excludedfeelmoreconfidentaccessing thebeach.”

Neurodiverseusers

ArtistslivingwithintheBayofPlenty regionarenowinvitedtosubmitbeach-

DaveMacCalman,EmmetSchaareandDameCatrionaWilliamsopeningthe AccessibleChangingFacilityatWaihīBeachbackinMarch. Photos/Supplied

WaihīBeach,withthemessuchasTuhua /MayorIslandencouraged. Claresaiddesignsshouldalsocarefully considerneurodiverseusers,ensuringthe coloursandimageryremaincalmingand accessible.

Submissionswillclosemid-July,with ajudgingpanelselectingatopthree shortlistbymid-August.

Thefinalconceptswillthenbeshared withthelocalandaccessiblecommunity

forpublicvotingbeforethewinningartist isannouncedendofAugust.

“Thecompletedmuralisexpectedto beunveiledaheadofsummer,around LabourWeekend2026–helpingcreate abeautifulandinclusivespaceforallto enjoy,”Claresaid.

Formoreinformation,ortoenter thecompetition,emailClareat: hello@livewellwaihibeach.co.nz.

Much-lovedrockreturnsto Ōmokoroa–butinanewspot

Themuch-lovedŌmokoroaRockwill soonreturn,onceagainprovidingafamiliar welcomeforthosearrivinginthecoastaltown.

Therock,whichpreviouslysatonthecorner ofStateHighway2andŌmokoroaRd,is expectedtobeinpositionatitsnewlocation onthecornerofŌmokoroaRdandProleRd byearlyAugust.

Inastatement,WesternBayofPlenty DistrictCouncilsaidgeotechnicalassessments werebeingcarriedout,aheadofdesigningand buildingafoundationtoholdthe28-tonne stone.

Council’sgeneralmanagerinfrastructure BradSinghsaidtherockisspecialtoalotof peopleinŌmokoroa.

“It’sadistinctivelocallandmarkthathas becomepartofthetown’sidentity,”hesaid.

“Weknowitsreturnwillbeawelcomesight formanyinthecommunity.”

Therock,alsoknownasthe‘LizardRock’, wasoriginallyinstalledin2016,alongwith alargelizardsculpturethatwasstolenthree yearslaterandneverrecovered.

InJuly2024therockwasremovedandput intostorage,toallowconstructionofthenew SH2-ŌmokoroaRdroundabout.

Therock’snewlocationwasconfirmed withinputfromtheŌmokoroa-Kaimai CommunityBoard,andthecompletion ofatransportationsafetyassessmentand investigationstoensurenounderground serviceswouldbeaffected.

CommunityboardchairChrisDeversaid theworktoreturnthelandmarktothepublic hadbeenagenuinelycollaborativeeffort.

“Ourcommunitycaresdeeplyabouthow wepresentthegatewaytoŌmokoroa,and it’sbeengreattoworkalongsideresidents,the artscommunityandCouncilstafftofinda solutionthatreflectsthatpride,”hesaid.

“Thenextstepistoworkwiththe communitytoidentifya‘theme’for Ōmokoroa.Katikatihasthemurals, TePukehasthekiwifruit–whatmakes Ōmokoroaspecial?Onceweidentifythat,we canlookatadditionalartworktoenhancethe entrancetoourgreatcommunity.”

StPeter’schurchturns150

AhistoricchurchinKatikatiwill celebrate150yearsofservingthe communitythisSunday.

StPeter’sAnglicanChurch,onthe cornerofCarisbrookeStandBeachRd, willhostaserviceinitshistoricbuilding onJuly5at9.30am.

TheservicewillbeledbyBishopPhilip Richardsonandwillbefollowedby morningtea.

Thepublicisinvitedtotheservice, whichwillmark150yearsofAnglican MinistryinKatikati.

AccordingtoWesternBayofPlenty CommunityArchivesCollection,St Peter’sistheoldestchurchinKatikati andoneofonlytwooriginalpioneer churchesintheBayofPlenty.

Thefoundationstonelayingceremony washeldinApril1883ontheland whichwasdonatedbySandyTurner,the archivessaid.“Theinteriorisbuiltfrom locallymilledkauri.”

Sunday’s9.30amservicewillbefreeto allcommunitymembers.

KatikatiinvitedtoenjoythemagicofMatariki

TheKatikaticommunityis invitedtocometogetherto connect,learnandobserve theMāoriNewYear(Te MātahioteTau)atitsfourth annualcommunityMatariki dawneventonJuly10.

HostedatTeWhareoRahi, ParkRoadReserveonParkRdin KatikatibyWesternBayMuseum incollaborationwithmana whenuaTeRereatukahiaoNgāi Tamawhariua,thefreeeventisa timeforthecommunitytocome togethertocelebrateMatarikiby settingnewgoals,remembering thosewhohavepassedandthe sharingofkai(food).

MuseummanagerPaulaGaelic saidthethemethisyearis

honouringUrurangi,thewhetū/ starrepresenting‘thewindsofthe sky’,connectedtotheweather godTāwhirimātea.

Setnewgoals

“WithMatarikibeingthetime whenthestarclusterappears, formany,theynowuseitasa timeofyeartosetnewgoals, rememberthosethathavepassed andtoletsomethingsgo.

“It’salsoaboutlookingforward towhatwe’vegotcominginthe yearahead.Itallowsustoreset forgoingforward.”

Sheinvitesthecommunity –youngandold–andof allbackgroundstoenjoyan extraordinarymorningwherethe windowtoTeAoMāori (theMāoriworldview)is openedwide.

NgairoEruera,arespected

pūkengamatua(senior lecturer)intereoMāoribased inTauranga,wouldleadthe hautapuceremony–asacred ritualdedicatedtoremembering lovedoneswho’vepassedaway, makingfoodofferingstothe Matarikistarcluster,andlooking forwardtoaprosperousnewyear.

Experton-site

“He’sanexpertonMatariki andwe’resoprivilegedtohave him.We’vealsogotHingangaroa Smith–ourmuseum’sPou MataurangaMāori(traditional Māoriknowledgelead).

“Theyhaveintergenerational knowledgewhichthey’resharing withus.Soit’sreallygreat.”

Gaelicsaidthe5-metrereplica WakaTauaTeAuoMaui,(carved Māoricanoe)willagainbeplaced atthereservefortheevent.

“Thewakahasbroughtthis amazingwairua[spirit]tothe museumandIknowitwillbring wairuatothiseventtoo.”

Learningforeveryone

SmithsaidMatarikiisatime forlearningforeveryone–includingMāori.“Foralotof Māoritheknowledgehasalways beentherebutit’sonlybeenin pockets…sowe’requitefortunate tohaveNgairo[Eruera]whois anadvocateandgiveseveryone accesstoit.”

Afterwards,ahangibreakfast

TerrifromHangiKaiandfry breadburgersmadebyAaron NauerfromOtawhiwhi,willbe available.

“Thesharingofkai[food]isa veryimportantculturalpartof theevent,”Gaelicsaid.“Event attendeescanhavethechoiceof either–throughourKaupapa MāoriEventFundingwe’reable topayforthebreakfastand eventrequirements;marque, seating,portaloosetc,so everythingisfree.”

Shesaidtheeventhadtobe heldatdawn,sopeoplecould seetheMatarikicluster,and onaperfectmorningitisjust fabulouswithacrisp,clearskyon theharbour’sedge–Ialwaysfeel privilegedtobepartofthis.

“Forthoseunsureornervous aboutheadingoutearlyona winter’smorning–wehaveabig marqueeupsoifweatherisbad

theywon’tgetwet.

“Wehavelotsofseatingfor thosewhocan’twalkfar,andthe entryatthereserveislitsopeople canseetheirwaytothemarquee.

“Wealsohavefirebraziersfor whānau(families)tokeepwarm. OurfantasticKatikatiVolunteer FireBrigadewillalsobepresentto keeptheeventsafe,”Gaelicsaid. Allofus

FromhisfirstKatikatiMatariki dawneventlastyear,Smithsaid theeventcertainlyfeelslikea MāoriNewYear.

“Withtheritualsandfestivities involvedandthetogetherness…I thinkthat’sthemagicalpart ofMatariki.Itdoesn’tmatter whetheryou’reSamoan,Māorior Chinese–Matarikishinesonall ofusattheendoftheday.”

Peopleareencouragedtoarrive attheTeWhareoRahi,Park RoadReserveat5.30am.