"yesterday – today"First there were the early Maori voyages , both pre migration and migration. who settled in the plentiful shores of the Bay of Plenty. From the three migration canoes closely associated with the Bay, Te Arawa, Takitimu and Mataatua came the Iwis of Ngaiterangi and the the Ngati Ranginui. Some of their decendants live at Katikati’s three marae (villages) : Te Rereatukahia, Tahawai and Otawhiwhi.(see page titled Western Bay of Plenty history) In fact apart of a very small and temporary group of Maori at the end of what is now Park Road, no occupation at Katikati was made. The closest was a Pa at Ongare (Wanaki’s Pa) destroyed in 1842 by Taraia, chief of Ngati Maru and a small settlement at Athenree. One fact that is not well known is that the Great Canoe Tainui sailed into the Tauranga Harbour. For a time the people of Tainui stayed but as the place was already well populated, if Tainui were to settle there they would have to fight for the land to live on. They decided to carry on but some stayed . Tainui came to it’s resting place on the East Coast after sailing throught the Waitemata, land haulage across the land bridge to the Manukau Harbour and finally arriving at Kawhia. The canoe carried the ancestors of the people of Hauraki, Waikato and Maniapoto.

In 1875 George Vesey Stewart brought the first party of Irish settlers to Katikati, the only planned Ulster settlement in the world. The 34 families cleared the land, planted crops, and built the first homes. A second party followed in 1878 giving a total of 600 settlers.

In 1990, at a time when Katikati was facing a serious economic downturn, a group of volunteers decided to lift the spirits of the local community and to attract visitors by painting our unique history on the walls of the town.

TODAY    Katikati is and has been for the last three years the fastest growing town in the Western Bay of Plenty. Katikati & district is the major producer of avocado’s in New Zealand and the second major producer of kiwifruit in New Zealand.

Katikati has a multitude of special events through-out the year. The year ends with the Christmas parade in the main street. In January and February there are evening concerts on Sunday every two weeks at the park situated just behind Kaimai view motel. Various themes such as ABBA, Country & Western, Pop Opera, Jazz revival etc. are performed by artists from around New Zealand. A market every Sunday morning. Bi annual week long mural fest. Annual Food fest.

The Katikati Heritage meuseum is well worth visiting for a look at early life in Katikati.

The Murals of Katikati add an excellent insite into Katikati's past whilst taking a leisurely walk arond the shops.  If you are visiting in January and Febuary the Katikati Concerts on Sunday nights are a definate must to see and hear.

What is a MUST to do is to walk the Haiku pathway. The pathway follows the Uretera Stream and must be the most peaceful and relaxing spot in Katikati. Views of the Uretera and Haiku can be seen on Google Earth and posted by Kaimai View Motel

There are many walks in the Kaimai Ranges (just behind Katikati) for both the serious tramper and for those who want an easy pleasant walk in the native bush. Maps and directions of these can be seen on the Kaimai view web site also.