More of everything at Katikati Festival of Cultures

Katikati Festival of Cultures committee members Kylie Watkins, Jan de Faye and Vicki Lambert. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Changes are afoot for this year’s Katikati Festival of Cultures flag parade and festivities on Saturday.

The festival, now in its fourth year, has introduced several changes to cater for the event’s growing popularity. The biggest change has been the venue.

Committee member Kylie Watkins said they’ve outgrown their previous home at Katikati War Memorial Hall.

“We wanted to work with council to highlight a parade path that leads into a bigger space to accommodate more cultural stallholders, performances, activities and more people.”

Katikati Festival of Cultures begins with the flag parade of nationalities starting from Katikati College and makes its way along Carisbrooke St to Moore Park. At Moore Park there will be a pōwhiri, followed by cultural performances, interactive workshops, arts and crafts stalls and international food. Previously the flag parade started from the park to memorial hall where the festivities took place.

The festival boasts more than 30 food vendors this year, each offering an experience, be it culinary, workshop or performance.

“We really wanted to highlight the diversity within our community, so you’ll find everything from traditional Māori kai to flavours from the Pacific Islands, France, Philippines, China, Thailand, Nepal, India and more.”

There’s also the Holi-inspired “powder throw” where brightly coloured powder will be thrown which symbolises unity, joy and new beginnings.

Cultural performers represented include Vanuatu, India, China, Chile, Scotland, Pacific Islands and others.

Katikati Leos are running a free frisbee golf area.

The Samoan kilikite (cricket) tournament will be held on the adjacent field on the same day.

The Katikati Festival of Cultures was established to celebrate diversity and foster inclusivity in the community.

“Katikati is home to people from many different backgrounds,” Watkins says. “The festival was created to bring everyone together, break down barriers and showcase the beauty of multiculturalism in our community.”

The committee and volunteers – wearing their high-vis Festival of Cultures jackets - will be there to help.

The committee encourages people to bring their own drink bottle to fill from the water station at the event information tent by the stage.

The details

What: Katikati Festival of Cultures

Where: Katikati College, Carisbrooke St for the flag parade (10am) to Moore Park (11am)

When: April 5