Katikati was in celebration mode yesterday with about 200 turning up at Memorial Square to celebrate the bypass, which in March was approved in the NZ Transport Agency's State Highway 2 Waihi to Tauranga works programme.
Music, belly dancers, food and fun set the scene with organisers Jenny Hobbs, chairwoman of the Katikati Community Board and Katch Katikati's Jacqui Knight and others donning the unofficial town mascot outfit "Katipilla", to celebrate the bypass and wander the mainstreet.
What do we want ? "A bypass." When do we want it? "Now", was Mrs Hobbs' opening statement, responded to by an elated crowd.
Coromandel MP Scott Simpson was among those attending and said it was important to come out and celebrate.
"Thank you all for being part of it and with Transport Minister Simon Bridges and the robust meeting we had here earlier, we were able to get this far."