25 September 2026
Actors’ grave comedy Readers may be wondering what local residents Eryl Raymond, Ruth Flynn and Julie Thomas are doing on the cover of Katikati News with a headstone. They’re acting, of course. The trio are the main characters in Katikati Theatre Inc’s first play of 2026, The Cemetery
Club. The warm and witty dramatic comedy was written by American playwright Ivan Menchell about three women who meet regularly at their husbands’ graves in a cemetery in America. However, director Di Logan has adapted the play, with permission, to remove all
references to specific place names to make it more generic so everyone can relate to it. Flynn plays the part of Ida, Thomas plays Doris, and Raymond plays Lucille. “They meet every once in a while, to go visit their dead husbands’ graves in the cemetery. “It’s kind of like a club they’ve got because
they were all friends when their husbands were alive,” Logan said. “But the time has come possibly for this to all end … and I can’t say anything more than that.” Find out more page 2. Photo / Merle Cave
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New comedyy byy drama ggroup p You wouldn’t think a cemetery is the place for a comedy. But it is – and the Katikati community is being offered the chance to watch a new take on American play The Cemetery Club next month. Members of amateur drama group Katikati Theatre Inc are fastidiously working on bringing their own adaptation of Ivan Menchell’s play to life in a sixshow season between October 2 to 10. Director Di Logan said The Cemetery Club was set in the 1990s and was a warm and witty dramatic comedy play written by American playwright Ivan Menchell. “We decided to not have another American play and instead to make it a little more generic and have it more open as to where it is set,” she said. Logan said with Menchell’s permission, Katikati Theatre Inc had removed all references to specific place names. “So it’s set in the 1990s but the place is undetermined. It could be anywhere. I think this is significant because everyone can relate to it.” Logan said the cast was made up of three main women and one man. Ruth Flynn plays the part of Ida, Julie Thomas plays Doris, and Eryl Raymond plays Lucille, and Barry Magowan plays the part of Sam. “They meet every month, to visit their dead husbands’ graves in the cemetery. It’s kind of like a club they’ve got because they were all friends when their husbands were alive.
T HE CEMET ERY CLUB BY S P EC I A L ARR A NG E M E N T W IT H S A MUE L F RE NC H A ND T HE P L AY BURE AU
T HREE F RIEND S. T HREE DE AD HUSBAND S. IS IT T IME T O S T ART PL AYING T HE F IELD
Katikati Theatre’s Julie Thomas, Ruth Flynn, Eryl Raymond and Barry Magowan in character at rehearsals of The Cemetery Club. Photo / Merle Cave
“But the time has come possibly for this to all end… and I can’t say anything more than that.” Logan said the play is a comedy “but it’s a poignant comedy”. “It’s got sad moments but it’s basically a comedy.” The cast had been rehearsing since August, she said, with Ron Thomas stage manager, Linda McMurray the production assistant and prompt, and Yvonne MacDonald on props. Logan said the audience can expect great
Burglaries focus on lawn mowing equipment
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August 31: An electric Masport mower charger, a Black+Decker leaf blower and charger, and a Black+Decker hedge trimmer were stolen from a garage on Alexander St in Katikati. September 3: There was an attempted burglary of a retail store on Marshall Place, Katikati. No items were taken. September 4: A ride-on mower was stolen from a standalone garage on Munro Rd, Minden. No other items were taken. September 8: A residential property on Ruamoana Place in Ōmokoroa was broken, jewellery and food was stolen. September 11: A garden shed was broken into on Mulgan St on Katikati and a lawnmower was taken. September 12: A Katikati Primary School building was broken into and a laptop was stolen. September 12: An unknown male with a bright yellow top carrying a backpack broke into a residential property on Highfields Drive in Katikati. No items were stolen.
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night out “with a lot of laughs”. “This is our first play for 2026 so we hope the community will come out and support us.” Katikati Theatre Inc’s adaption of The Cemetery Club will be held at The Arts Junction theatre at 7pm on October 2, 3, 4, and 9. Two 2pm matinees will take place, on October 4 and 10. Tickets cost $25 each from The Arts Junction or online at: www. Merle Cave theartsjunction.org.nz
Burglaries
KAT IKAT I T HEAT RE INC. PRESENT S
BY IVAN MENCHELL
Sep 25, 2026
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September 2: An LED light at a driveway entrance gate on Alender St in Katikati was found damaged. September 9: Multiple food items were taken from a retail store on Main Rd in Katikati. The stolen items totalled $146.63. September 10: A female stole a bottle of Jack Daniels from a liquor store on Main Rd, Katikati. The item was recovered.
September 13: A drone was seen flying over properties on Pahoia Rd in Whakamārama without permission.
Arrests and apprehensions
September 5: A 36-year-old Katikati man was arrested for breaching his bail conditions. September 6: A 34-year-old Tauranga man was arrested for assault, contravening a protection order and kidnaps. September 14: A 33-year-old Waihi female was stopped and processed for excess breath alcohol on Main Rd, Katikati. Her result was 1098 mcg/L of breath. September 15: A 59-year-old man was arrested on a warrant for breaching a supervision order.
Sep 25, 2026
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Katikati News
Poolside fitness to make a splash at Katikati Swimming won’t be the only way to get moving at Katikati’s Dave Hume Pool this season.
New group fitness classes using the facility’s outdoor gym will be offered when the pool reopens on Monday, September 28. The classes, led by Sam Nicholson, are designed for all fitness levels and offer a supportive environment for people looking to improve their strength, fitness and wellbeing. “Strength training is something that can benefit everyone, whatever your age or fitness level,” Nicholson said. The Bay Venues’ staff member holds a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation and experience in sports including football, rugby, surfing, skimboarding and powerlifting. “The classes are about keeping things simple, helping people feel comfortable using the equipment and building strength and confidence over time,” he said. “If you’ve never tried an outdoor gym or group fitness class before, come along and give it a go – you might find something new that you really enjoy.”
Fitness equipment
Katikati’s Dave Hume Pool is the only public facility in New Zealand to have fitness equipment by Kompan, a Danish designer and manufacturer of outdoor play and recreation equipment.
The outdoor gym was part of a $2.5 million upgrade that earned the facility national recognition at Recreation Aotearoa’s annual Aquatics Awards last month, where it received a Merit Award in the Aquatic Facility of the Year category. The award recognised excellence in facility design, operation and community impact, and acknowledged the partnership between Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay Venues and the Dave Hume Swimming Pool Trust. Western Bay of Plenty District Council reserves and facilities assets manager Janine Field said the outdoor gym provided an affordable alternative to a traditional gym membership “and now there are classes to give people a bit more motivation and support”. “This is another step in the evolution of the Dave Hume Pool facility, broadening the appeal to a wider range of people,” Field said. Self-directed use of the outdoor gym is included in the standard pool entry price, while the group classes cost $15 per session. Dave Hume Swimming Pool trustee Graeme Thomson said the trust’s vision was to create a community facility that keeps people active and connected. “The outdoor gym and group classes are an exciting part of that vision, giving people more reasons to use the facility and creating opportunities for people of all
Sam Nicholson, of Bay Venues, shows Dave Hume Swimming Pool trustee Graeme Thomson how to use the gym equipment. Photo / Supplied
ages and abilities to get active and feel part of the community.”
Diff fferent way
Bay Venues head of aquatics Matthew Strange said the outdoor gym provided another space to get people moving. “The outdoor gym makes the most of the space around the pool and gives people a chance to enjoy the atmosphere of the facility in a completely different way.” Dave Hume Pool’s Group Fitness Classes include a Sunday Boot Camp from 9am. The 45-minute sessions offer a fun and challenging full-body workout to build strength, fitness and confidence in a supportive group environment and are
suitable for all fitness levels. A 45-minute Monday Strength & Conditioningg Circuit at 10am offers a full-body, strength-focused workout designed to build muscular strength, improve movement quality, and increase overall fitness. This is suitable for all fitness levels, with options to progress at your own pace. A second Strength & Conditioning Circuit will be held at 10am on Wednesdays. Classes begin September 28, and cost $15 a session. Payment can be amde online at: bayvenues.jonasleisure. co.nz/ or at reception. Find out more phone 07 549 1069 or email: katikati. pos@bayvenues.co.nz
Final roundabout marks home stretch for Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety project The seventh and final roundabout to be delivered as part of the State Highway 2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa Safety Improvements Programme is underway. Once complete, the roundabout will mark the final major intersection upgrade on the corridor, Waka Kotahi New Transport Agency said in its September 2026 SH2 Corridor update. “Crews are currently carrying out road construction, drainage, utility relocation and lighting works, while also preparing the foundations for the next stages of the roundabout build. “Recent progress has included completing key sections of drainage infrastructure, road foundation work and traffic shifts to enable construction to safely continue.”
Thee SH2-P Th Pahoia-E Esdaile roads roundabout under construction. Photo / Waka Kotahi New Transport Agency
To keep traffic moving during construction, vehicles had been shifted onto a temporary road layout on the western side of the work site. Traffic remained open in both directions; however, right-turn bays were unavailable while this stage of work was
underway. Drivers may also encounter occasional stop/go traffic management as construction activities progress. These traffic changes would remain in place in coming months as work continued, NZTA said. “We appreciate the patience of road users and local residents while this important safety upgrade is delivered. “Please follow all temporary traffic management, watch for changing road layouts, and slow down through the work area. Our crews work close to live traffic every day, and taking extra care through work sites helps keep everyone safe.” According to NZTA’s website, 25 people died and 66 were seriously injured on SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa between 2009 and 2018, which prompted the SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa Safety Improvements Programme.
“Most crashes were at intersections, head-on collisions, or people driving off the road. Our improvements to this road will lower the risk of crashes and save lives,” NZTA said. In 2018 construction began on safety improvements, and the 40km stretch of SH2 was split into 10 sections. Since 2019 NZTA had been widening the road, putting in a wide centreline to separate oncoming traffic, widening road shoulders to give drivers more room, installing roadside safety barriers where there are hazards such as power poles, trees and deep ditches; and making intersections safer. The construction of seven roundabouts along SH2 was part of this project, with the SH2-Esdaile Rd-Pahoia Rd roundabout the last to be constructed. Work is expected to finish in late 2027.
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Looking for a home with plenty of space and a great Katikati location? This four-bedroom, two-bathroom home could be just what you’ve been waiting for. Set on a generous 809sqm (more or less) flat section, there’s room for the family, the pets, the garden and even the motorhome. Inside, you’ll find sunny living, a great kitchen, separate lounge and plenty of space to spread out. It’s beautifully presented, has double garaging and is ready for its new owners. Come and take a look, you might just feel right at home. Call Grace today.
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