The two-time World Cup-winning captain is obviously well used to the attention.
He handles the situation in his stride, posing amiably behind the slightly overwhelmed fan and his friend and then quietly heading on his way.
Katipa told The Hits radio host Flynny he was in the back of his mate's car and spotted McCaw through the window.
"I said 'bro, that's Richie McCaw; that's Richie McCaw, bro, oh my god.
"He'd already gone inside so I ran in after him with my phone out...
"I said 'mate, would it be alright if we get a picture, and he said yeah, I'll just pay for my stuff and then we can get a picture'."
Katipa was stoked McCaw had been nice enough to take a picture, despite his status, and thanked him for being there.
He said he knew his last name was McCaw, but it had sounded like McCoy because he was saying it so fast.
Flynny suggested Katipa was the new "nek minnit" guy and should make more videos.
"I just put [the video] on Facebook to make people laugh. I'm speechless.
"I've already put another video up of a spider on my mate's back."