White-faced herons preen in the regenerating wetlands alongside Uretara Stream. Photo / NZME
White-faced herons preen in the regenerating wetlands alongside Uretara Stream. Photo / NZME
This former beauty queen still lives up to its name, finds Elisabeth Easther.
Origin of name: Katikati was originally called Katikati-o-Tamatekapua after Chief Tamatekapua, commander of the Arawa canoe. He stopped here for a meal and, while his warriors wolfed their food down, Tama dined slowly: "katikati" is Maori for "nibbling".
Population: 4320.
Town slogan:Mural Town of New Zealand.
Town mascot: Everyonehas their photo taken with Barry. This charming bronze figure sits on a park bench on the main street by the playground, with his little dog Jack loyally waiting by his side. A fair dinkum Kiwi bloke, Barry watches the world go by.
Pretty good: In 2005, Katikati won the title of New Zealand's Most Beautiful Small Town.
Famous locals: Bunny Walters (singer), Alan Mulgan (journalist, writer), Richard O'Brien (the man behind The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Mabel Wharekawa-Burt (actor), captain of the 1905 Original All Blacks David Gallaher and wrestler Ross Tanner.
Source of pride: The mural project began in the 1990s when things were in a bit of a decline and this initiative played a big part in the town's return to vibrancy. Today Katikati is home to the country's largest open-air art gallery with more than 60 pieces of work on display, from art to sculpture, free for all to enjoy.
Town fiestas: The NZ Mural Contest and Arts Fest is a biennial event, running this year from September 29-October 4. The Avocado, Wine and Food Fest is another doozy, ditto the annual A&P Show and the popular twilight concerts held each year over January and February.
Man up: Check out the Blokes and Sheds Ramble. It's like a garden ramble only you visit chaps in their sheds. Marvel at the spectacle of cars filled with men driving round the region checking out each other's man caves - raising funds for local groups while they go.
Clothing optional: For recreation free from the constraints of clothing, the Katikati Naturist Park welcomes guests who like to do their holidaying in the nude - a wonderful way to foster self acceptance.
Here for a short time: The Haiku Walkway holds the most significant collection of haiku outside Japan and every year it gets bigger. The Bird Walk along the Uretara River is also well worth stopping for. Passing along a wetland, there are lots of birds as well as open-air art. This easy walk is stroller-friendly and features handy interpretation panels,
Best place to take the kids: Park at the mudflats and have a poke around or a paddle in the shallows - although you'd be wise to take a change of clothes for the nippers.
Best park: Diggelmann Park on the main street is perfect for a picnic and fresh air - it has big park benches the size of double beds to laze on and look back up at the hills. Plus there's plenty of kauri history on display round the park because, back in the day, Katikati was the source of the southern-most commercially milled kauri.
Never bored: Check out Moore Park, off the main road, the skate park there has just been given a fantastic upgrade.
Best playground: The playground in the centre of town where Barry is seated has slides, swings and tunnels to crawl through.
Katikati town icon Barry. Photo / NZME
Best walks: The Uretara Estuary Yeoman Walkway is a delight. Or walk the boardwalks to the giant kauri tree up the end of Hot Springs Rd - all up it takes about half an hour. The Lindemann Track is a hearty three-hour loop with superb bush and views. Or go hardcore and tackle some of the heavier hikes in the Kaimai Ranges.
Best view: Drive to the end of Lindemann Rd and look out to Mt Maunganui and beyond.
Best swim:Dave Hume Pools are the perfect spot for cooling down in the summer months. Or if it's nature you're after, try the swimming hole on McMillan Rd or the more central Henry Rhodes swimming hole.
Best museum: Western Bay Museum, currently being refurbished, is moving into the old fire station and, when it's open, it'll feature a range of revolving exhibits as well as a permanent classroom where school groups can make butter and print certificates on old presses. Aiming to be very interactive, it'll tell the region's pre-colonial and pioneer tales.
History house:Athenree Homestead is a wonderful restored homestead where visitors can dress up in vintage clothes for photo opportunities, dine on Devonshire teas and delve into the region's history.
Nice arts: Katikati Art Gallery in the centre of town is open seven days a week and features regularly changing exhibits and once a year they host a big sale in the Memorial Hall. And do stop by The Little Blue House, this lovely little art hub is another place where locals can show their wares.
A rainbow over the Kaimai ranges is reflected in the Uretara Stream. Photo / Bruce Cooper
Cream of the coffee: The people at Balcony Cafe know their beans, and the Swiss chef sure knows how to bake. You'll also find excellent coffee at Cafe Viva and Robert Harris.
Baked: Sy Bakehouse and Cafe create delicious pies - chicken and camembert anyone? Or if it's vegetarian you're after, Angkor Wat have just won the Best Vegetarian Pie award at the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards. And if gluten is your enemy, The Busy Baker has the biggest range of GF food in the BoP.
Hungry: There are loads of cafes and take-out emporiums including Turkish, pizza, sushi and good old-fashioned fish and chips.
Fine foods: On the outskirts of town you'll find the Rustic Pumpkin and Forta Leza Restaurants - both offering great indoor and al fresco dining. The Landing is also superb with its pleasant garden bar and succulent steak, and Ambria looks out over the haiku walkway and is grand for dining or a quiet tipple.
Fine wine:Finer Wines is the most amazing wine shop and, thanks to owner Jim's fine eye, the selection attracts avid vino fans from far and wide.
Bon appetite: The Katikati Cuisine and Food Trail is a self-drive food trail featuring a collection of 10 artisan food producers who make salami, wild food pates, salami, breads, macadamia products, smoked foods.
Still peckish: Visit the popular Friday night plant and produce market in the main street at the A&P showgrounds.
Wildlife: Aside from amazing fishing in the harbour and hunting in the Kaimai Ranges, the town and surrounds are a veritable bird sanctuary. And if you're avid about aviaries, go to the Bird Gardens, 15km south of the town.
Safety first: Please don't jump off the bridge into the river or do a u-turn in the main street - okay? Thank you.
Locals say: Avocados again?
Visitors say: Avocados again!
Thanks to Jacqui from Katch Katikati.
Desktop readers: Click the map below to access our full library of kia ora columns.
Mobile readers: Tap the links below to access our full library of kia ora columns.
