Barry was hit by a vehicle on Sunday night leaving the figure with a broken elbow and damaged arm Katikati’s most iconic sculpture has been damaged once again – but this time by a vehicle collision Katikati Open Air Art committee member Steve Graveson confirmed to SunLive that he removed Barry the Relaxed Typical Kiwi Bloke from his chair outside the Arts Junction at 36 Main Rd on Monday morning after the sculpture was damaged on Sunday night Few details were known about the April 27 incident but it was believed a vehicle hit the sculpture “It looks like a vehicle [travelling along SH2 through the township] ran over the rubbish bin near Barry and over top of [neighbouring dog sculpture] Jack and into the corner of Barry on the seat and knocked him over the driver must have hit him on the left-hand side because his seat took a lot more damage.” Police tape was put around the scene until Barry was removed Graveson said Jack was taken away by police after the accident but had since been collected by a fellow KOAA member The art group was founded in 1989 and has commissioned and maintained the township’s murals and sculptures via its committee Barry is now sitting in Graveson’s shed awaiting repair “I’ve been in communication with Donald Paterson Barry’s seat had been taken to Katikati Rural Engineering for repair Barry was installed on Katikati’s Main Rd in 1999 copper and fibreglass by Paterson and modelled on his friend Barry Menzies Barry got a mate when Menzies donated the sculpture of Jack the dog and his toy ball as a tribute to the late Colin and June Carlton Graveson said he went to check on Barry on Monday after hearing of the accident “I needed to see what he was like and if he had any cracks – because you don’t want to get water in him because he is not solid I did because we’ve had non-stop rain since.” “His main issue is he has a broken elbow and the lower part of his arm [is damaged] – so he’s got away fairly lightly but it won’t be easy to fix him.” Graveson’s newest conundrum is who he will call on to repair Jack so I’ve asked Donald [Paterson] who would be good for this repair job.” Paterson will likely have to travel to Katikati to fix the sculpture but I’m still finding out ...” Graveson said Barry would be absent from Katikati’s Main Rd during his “operation and recovery” The length of his absence would “hinge on what Donald has on workwise” Katikati Open Air Art would bear the cost of repairs “because you can’t insure that type of thing” Barry was damaged back in 2008 when vandals tried to wrench the sculpture from its park bench the town was in uproar after Barry was decapitated “It did cost several thousand dollars to repair him back then,” Graveson said if the driver’s insurance does not cover it then we will have to find the money to repair Barry and Jack this time and we may need support to do that.” SunLive has contacted NZ Police for comment on the accident Posted on 02-05-2025 08:08 | By Thats Nice Not sure how the heck you would drive up over the kerb and kit this fella in the middle of town How do you feel about Tauranga’s rapid population growth Back to top Water services have been shut down in Katikati People in Katikati are being urged to conserve water following an emergency shutdown In a post on the Antenno app, Western Bay of Plenty District Council said an “emergency water shutdown is affecting all of Katikati and surrounding areas” and water is estimated to be restored later this afternoon/evening please conserve water and we will update as we get more information throughout the day.” The council said after the water has been restored it may have a cloudy appearance (tiny air bubbles) but assured residents the water will be safe to drink People can contact the council with any questions on 0800 926 732 The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night Wreaths were laid by many groups of the Katikati community As hundreds gathered around the Katikati War Memorial Hall at dawn on Anzac Day a tiny slice of moon and one lone star shone down The community were honouring Kiwi servicemen and women of all eras who’ve risked their lives for our freedom Returned and current servicemen and women lined up beside representatives from the police Fire and Emergency New Zealand and a number of other service organisations outside Katikati Library at 5.55am They marched to the front of the war memorial hall – to the sound of a drum beat from the Katikati Band – to stand at attention for the 6am dawn service Katikati RSA president Trevor Gilbert said this year’s Anzac Day was particularly poignant as it had been 110 years since the Gallipoli landing and 50 years since the Vietnam War concluded “In Katikati [here at Anzac Day] we also pay tribute to our last World War II veteran who passed away recently.” Clive Wilson Kenyon died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on March 15 “We will now create a Clive Kenyon Memorial Scholarship This will be awarded annually to a direct descendant of servicepeople to enable them to continue their studies or vocation,” Gilbert said Gilbert said: “We should now embrace those veterans that have served this country since the time of war in Malaya and Borneo and Palestine and many peacekeeping operations that they have been involved in” “We should also remember that there are those who are still serving who deserve our support and appreciation And the wounds that are the result of war and conflict are not always visible.” After an address by Colonel Selwyn Heaton RNZE Katikati College head students Jack Harray and Hannah Gourlay accompanied by deputy head students Rajveer Sania Kaur and Charlotte Tanner Student connection to Māori Battalion Gourlay talked of her family connection to World War II “This is about my great uncle Andrew volunteered for the army shortly after the outbreak of WWII “He enlisted but was discharged as medically unfit because he had tuberculosis as a child he re-enlisted several months later under his brother Robert’s name and arranged someone else to sit the medical.” Andy was posted to the 28th Māori Battalion in 1941 and saw action in the western desert for two years He was sent back to New Zealand on a hospital ship He spent over a year in hospital and was discharged in 1944 “He returned home to Maketū but remained unwell until he passed from a combination of tuberculosis and sand in his lungs on July 31 Gourley told the Katikati News after the service that for as long as she could remember she’d run through her grandmother’s house past a photograph of her great uncle and his medals “Every time we always asked who he was and recently I [learned more by] looked him up on Auckland Museum’s Online Cenotaph.” very determined to go [to war],” said Gourlay who is of Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāi Tahu descent of the Maketū-Rotorua area – as was her great uncle “It’s very special and cool to be able to talk about him at an Anzac parade Head student Jack Harray said in his speech that it’s a weird thing trying to understand the scale of something like Gallipoli “Over 2700 New Zealanders lost their lives there And that was only the beginning of a much longer war.” Harray also echoed the sentiment that Anzac Day isn’t just about Gallipoli “It’s about every New Zealander and Australian who’s served since – through world wars and courage that carries on even today.” to take a second to really feel “the weight of history will carry these stories forward – not just today but every day we stand up for what’s right” Then Gourlay read The Ode of Remembrance in te reo Māori followed by Charlotte Tanner reading it in English The dawn service concluded with Katikati RSA deputy president Ross Vaile lowering the New Zealand flag then a closing prayer and the parade being dismissed Dog attack victim Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Byran The three dogs seized after a fatal attack on a 4-year-old boy have been euthanised It comes as the family of victim Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan gather at a Waihī Beach marae in preparation for his funeral tomorrow The youngster died after a dog attack at a property north of Katikati on Friday afternoon Another person with moderate injuries was taken to hospital Police were called about 2.50pm and the critically injured boy was taken to the Katikati Medical Centre but died soon afterwards Three adult dogs were seized after the attack in the Tuapiro area Western Bay of Plenty District Council regulatory services general manager Alison Curtis said on Monday that all three dogs had been euthanised She said the animal services team was contacted about 3.45pm on Friday The owner of the three dogs signed them over to the council’s custody The dogs were taken to an animal shelter in Te Puke Curtis said the council had not “fully confirmed the primary breeds of the dogs involved” “We’re taking a cautious and responsible approach – and will release this information once we’re confident it’s accurate." The council did not want to “share anything that could compromise the police investigation” and our thoughts are with the whānau who are now facing an unimaginable loss.” the Rolleston-Bryan family said Timothy would lie at the Ōtāwhiwhi Marae in Waihī Beach before a funeral tomorrow your mum will be awaiting your arrival,” the notice said earlier said the small community was shocked by this incident “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by the loss our priority will be to support our whānau through this hard time All our focus is directed to the grieving family and the survivor.” Kingi thanked emergency services and the Katikati Medical Centre who he said did everything they could and also looked after the family during the tragic medical event Police said their inquiries on behalf of the coroner were continuing Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year Paying for clean-up means less money for the community Megan Branks of Kura Kai says they need more volunteers Kura Kai’s Megan Branks will run the Cooking on a Budget course Katikati Community Centre is introducing a new course to teach people about cooking on a budget centre volunteers regularly visit Woolworths Katikati to collect food which is shared with Kura Kai Tamawhariua and Katikati Christian Food Bank Kura Kai community co-ordinator Megan Branks will take the classes Branks said the course would look at smart shopping for seasonal produce and tips and tricks to save on ingredients a lot of people are struggling to put together meals in a cost-effective way,” she said Pumpkins are cheap at the moment so Branks said they may run a pumpkin session “The idea is to learn to use produce multiple ways - to take one thing and turn it into three different dishes.” Branks looks after Kura Kai in Katikati with area co-ordinator Sara Elliot who both jumped at the chance to run a local cooking class money and resources to cook nutritious family meals Funds are raised to purchase chest freezers Local high school leaders then help identify people in the community who may need help The meals can be for high school families or anyone in the community Katikati Community Centre adult education co-ordinator Sonya Mischewski said just about everyone was on a budget at the moment and the idea was to share knowledge with the community “We’re living in an area where produce is quite seasonal so the course will let you know what you can cook with what’s affordable at the time.” Youth modelling potential skatepark ideas at a workshop A youth-driven project in Katikati is expected to cost $129,000 and will be delivered in three stages It’s also been dubbed as an example of young people leading the way in shaping their own future The initiative emerged from extensive engagement and workshops throughout last year and early 2025 said a statement released on behalf of the project “Their message was clear – they want a space of their own Community-led development in Aotearoa is about empowering local people to drive change and in Katikati young people are at the heart of this transformation The Katikati Community Led Development Steering Group ensuring the insights and solutions proposed by youth are supported and put into action youth emphasised that revitalising the Katikati Skate Park was essential to meeting their need for a dedicated space where they could gather highlighted this project was a direct response to what young people had asked for “The Katikati Youth Park will provide a safe space for young people to gather as well as seating and cover for parents and caregivers and barbecue facilities for shared meals.” developed in 2012 with a second phase completed in 2014 it now shows signs of wear and lacks key facilities that could make it a more inviting space for all limited toilet facilities and no seating or barbecue areas young people have called for improvements – and now they are taking action to make it happen The overall project cost is estimated at $129,000 Stage three: A half-court basketball area with a pump track planned for the future when more funds become available “Young leaders are working alongside the steering group to organise fundraising events and connect with local businesses and community members for support “This is an opportunity for the entire Katikati community to get behind its young people and support their vision organisations and individuals can contribute by sponsoring specific equipment or making a general donation to the project helps empower our youth and creates a space for youth to play If you are interested in sponsoring equipment, donating funds, or learning how to get involved, contact info@katikaticld.nz or phone/text 021 02345276 This Tiny Home show home was stolen at approximately 4am on Saturday morning from Rea Rd It was fully furnished weighs approximately five tonnes A quick response from the Katikati community saw a stolen tiny home found three hours after an appeal was posted to Facebook a Tiny House Builders Ltd show home was stolen from the property on Rea Rd Tiny House Builders Ltd owner Rebecca McLean said it took the offender 20 minutes after they had made their way onto the property to smash the trailer lock take off the jacks and hook up the five-tonne show home onto the tow bar of their ute This wasn’t McLean’s first rodeo A Tiny House “pod” was stolen from the property last year which encouraged her to upgrade her security system She was quick to take the matter to the police and social media “Police received a report of a tiny home on a trailer being taken from a Rea Rd address on March 29,” said a police spokesperson McLean’s social media post received a prompt response by the community and with the combined efforts of the community and police her property was found within just three hours “It’s pretty impressive,” she said The response from the community blew McLean away “That’s the only way it was found.” People reported their sightings to McLean and sent in bits from security cameras that had been facing the street which gave McLean and the police a timeline and a direction The Tiny House Builders Ltd show home was taken from the Katikati property by a person in a white ute who drove it in the direction of Rotorua before being found by police in Ohauiti A member of the public who had seen the post on social media saw the tiny home parked up and immediately contacted her McLean does not know why the people stole the tiny home which had already been sold and was awaiting collection in two weeks by its new owners She contacted the soon-to-be owners of the tiny home as soon as possible and said they were shocked and surprised It’s not supposed to be towed on the road We’re supposed to put them on a truck and transport them It would have been a nightmare to drive it.” The Tiny Home was fully furnished with a full kitchen McLean was blown away when the Tiny Home was found in three hours McLean provided her phone number for people to contact her directly with any information She received around 10 phone calls from people who had seen the ute towing her show home from her property in Katikati towards Rotorua “We’re really grateful to everyone who had taken the time to reach out and be like “It wouldn’t have been found without them [the community].” The police spokesperson said: “The trailer and structure were located at an Upper Ohauiti Rd location “A forensic examination has been conducted and inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.” A tangi. A blessing. A rāhui. These have been steps in the “healing process” for a Bay of Plenty community devastated by the fatal dog mauling of a 4-year-old boy two weeks ago Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan Timoti was farewelled at Ōtāwhiwhi Marae in Waihī Beach on April 2 and laid to rest with his mother members of three local marae visited the Katikati Medical Centre to bless the clinic Tuapiro marae chairman and spokesman for Timoti’s whānau said the tangi was a “highly emotional” farewell for those who attended including staff from the clinic who tried to save Timoti about 30 members of three Katikati Marae – Tuapiro Ōtāwhiwhi Marae and Te Rereatukahia – visited the centre to share a blessing Western Bay of Plenty District Council staff also attended the ceremony Te Rereatukahia Marae’s principal hapū is Ngāi Tamawhariua of Ngāi Te Rangi iwi Kingi said blessing the medical centre staff’s whare (house) was a “very important” part of the healing process and “very emotional” for all involved “We were mindful that the clinic was still operating and when we blessed the house all the patients bowed their heads in a sign of respect “It’s clear lots of people in the wider community have been affected by this beautiful boy’s death.” Kingi said “one of the beautiful things” that came from Timoti’s death was bringing tangata whenua in the northern end of Tauranga Moana and the medical centre staff closer together “A lovely relationship has blossomed from this tragedy,” he said “The blessing was about bringing our love and support to the staff to help them to be able to carry on with the important work they do for our community.” Kingi thanked all those who had supported Timoti’s family who were still “navigating their way through the healing process” He asked on their behalf for private time to grieve A temporary rāhui (temporary ritual prohibition) placed on an area near where the attack happened has also been lifted A council spokeswoman confirmed the council’s Kaupapa Māori team attended both the lifting of the rāhui and the medical centre blessing “One of our animal services officers also attended the lifting of the rāhui,” she said The council’s animal services team seized three dogs a border collie-mastiff cross and a Staffordshire bull terrier-border collie cross A police spokesman said police made inquiries on behalf of the coroner and the coroner would release findings “in due course” A Givealittle page set up to support Timoti’s family has raised just over $5,700 The page describes Timoti as the mokopuna (grandchild) of Timothy Bryan and Amy Rolleston and son of Hayley Rolleston and Tu’uaki Kata The Katikati Medical Centre was approached for comment Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years John Clements is the chairman of new initiative The Focus Katikati Trust A new initiative in Katikati is focused on boosting businesses and expanding the job market The Focus Katikati Trust aims to grow businesses and job numbers by creating sector clusters to attract and retain people in the region A meeting was held last month to discuss the new trust and introduce the project The trust invited Cluster Navigators chief executive and founder Ifor Ffowcs-Williams to talk about the benefit of cluster developments Cluster Navigators has developed economic cluster groups in more than 50 countries Trust chairman John Clements said the meeting stirred interest among entrepreneurs and He said there was a significant number of businesses with potential in the area as highlighted by last year’s Western Bay Museum’s Food Bowl of Plenty exhibition “While Katikati has a vigorous horticulture sector many locals have expressed concern that there is not the range of jobs to hold young people — and the census statistics supports that.” A sure sign of an underperforming region is the record export of skilled people “Katikati faces this challenge — retaining and attracting younger high-skilled people.” Growing a greater variety of jobs in the economy was also important as despite Katikati having a strong social network the town needs to retain people to be the next generation for social and community organisations The idea behind business clusters is to pull together similar industries and companies to help them work together and support each other engineering cluster Engage South and Ceda in Manawatu The next steps are mapping out similar sector businesses who wish to collaborate and strategise to grow For more information contact Clements on 021 717 025 That appears to be a really good approach to provide more jobs for young people Get industries to band together to consolidate the job situation A church minister’s family of six lost almost everything they had in a devastating vicarage fire – including their beloved mini schnauzer dog Despite their overwhelming loss and tiredness, the Macfarlane family has emphasised how thankful they are for the firefighters and the support from their community in Katikati, north of Tauranga The community has rallied with countless offers of help and they have been offered a home to ground themselves for the next few months to heal and rebuild their lives Jonathan Macfarlane is the minister in charge of St Peter’s Anglican Church He and his family – wife Lauren and children Jack and Loretta – joined the community last year and lived in the vicarage at the back of the church on Carisbrook St at 7.15pm a fire took hold in one of the children’s bedrooms Lauren and Jack were on a bike ride and the others were watching television “Then I saw smoke coming from a bedroom and the bed was on fire I sent the four kids out the door to the church and emptied a fire extinguisher into the bed however I believe the walls had likely caught fire at that point “I was coughing on smoke while clearly aware I had to prioritise my children I dialled 111 and I took the kids to the front of the church.” Three fire trucks from Katikati and one each from Mayor View and Ōmokoroa The first attending crew found the house well-involved in fire The fire was under control by around 7.55pm and extinguished a short time later after firefighters in breathing apparatus accessed the ceiling and roof Crews remained on scene to dampen down hot spots until around 9.40pm Fire and Emergency New Zealand said a specialist fire investigator attended the next day and had classified the cause of the fire as undetermined The undetermined classification is used when a cause cannot be proven to an acceptable level of certainty along with the garage and possessions inside Jonathan Macfarlane said the local Baptist pastor had helped him bury her He said firefighters know the origin of the fire was in the bedroom “The side/bottom of the single bed base caught fire They ruled out ground-level electrical faults and all other potential heat sources were accounted for as best as possible “No children had been in the room for 40 minutes I was told there’s a high chance it’s a freak accident such as an exploding lightbulb and we won’t know why “What I wanted most in the first 24 hours was answers and indeterminate cause with known origin is all we have.” The family was working through the insurance process with the parish and diocesan They were grateful to be offered the furnished house at Waihī Beach “We’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported and cared Bishop Philip Richardson and our Waikato Taranaki Diocese friends around the country including some who came from the Manawatū and the town which we’ve been welcomed into – thank you “I’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude and admiration to Katikati Fire Brigade and all the firefighters who came to serve,” Jonathan Macfarlane said Kunza Dance Group Tauranga from Chile perform the rapa nui Thousands came to celebrate all the cultures of the Western Bay of Plenty Katikati Festival of Cultures was a vibrant celebration of diverse cultural backgrounds and included a flag parade featuring multiple nationalities followed by an afternoon of food and entertainment at Moore Park last weekend Committee member Kylie Watkins said it was an amazing day with plenty of love and hugs shared “The vibrancy and colour that lit up Moore Park was mind-blowing and have never seen Katikati so colourful I’ve also never been hugged by so many strangers in my life… it was lovely.” A stand-out moment for her was seeing the excitement of children in the lead-up to the Holi-inspired powder throw It seemed to be a highlight for a lot of people First up was the flag parade down Carisbrooke St led by Bay of Plenty Pipes and Drums More than 26 countries were represented and 200 people marched to show their homeland pride The parade ended at Moore Park with a pōwhiri Various ethnicities showed off traditional dances on the big stage including a kapa haka group Stalls showcased food from all over the world including Māori kai Pacific Islands flavours and the foods of France Symbolising new beginnings was the powder throw in the afternoon where children splattered each other with colour explosions There are traffic delays on SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati due to a scrub fire A scrub fire that caused traffic congestion between Tauranga and Ōmokoroa has been extinguished Motorists were earlier warned of hours-long delays with State Highway 2 down to one open lane due to the fire A Fire and Emergency spokesman said at 4.20pm the vegetation fire in the Whakamārama area was contained and at 6.35pm NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the fire had been extinguished An earlier statement said emergency services were on the scene and NZ Police were providing traffic control due to the fire near Te Puna Stream Bridge with delays at that point of about 60 minutes southbound from Waihī and 30 minutes northbound from Te Puna Motorists were asked to delay their trips or expect delays An alternative route involved driving via SH29 over the Kaimai Range then SH27 and SH26 before rejoining SH2 Police said initial reports were received around 1.50pm The fire was reported to be between Barrett Rd and Te Karaka Drive Waihī and Te Puke attended according to an online Fire and Emergency incident report Powerco has reported an unplanned power outage at Whakamārama The power cut occurred at 1.47pm and is affecting 179 properties in the Minden area A power cut at 1.53pm is affecting 34 properties in the Whakamārama area Powerco advised a site investigation is under way Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz Paula Gaelic at Western Bay Museum's Clever Crustaceans exhibit You can’t do much for free these days, so keep in mind a visit to Western Bay Museum in Katikati Museum manager Paula Gaelic said there was lots to see and do inside the old red fire station building in the heart of Katikati during the upcoming school holiday The museum was open seven days a week – weekdays 10am to 4pm and closed only on Good Friday and Anzac day morning “There are many new exhibitions and something for everyone to discover and reminisce about.” See below for what the museum has on offer during the school holiday Ngā Toa Taiao – Environmental Heroes Mountains to the Sea showcases the work of iwi volunteers and staff on restoring and protecting our natural environment pest and predators; all taxidermy species with surround sound This exhibit takes a look at communication in communities before the digital era “Communities relied on the post office and telephone exchange to stay connected “A working telephone exchange with old-style phones before wireless You can ask for an operator and enjoy this hands-on activity.” Taonga Māori – Tūhua & Pounamu The fascinating story through the eyes of our Northern Tauranga Moana Hapū with beautiful raw specimens of tūhua (obsidian) and pounamu (greenstone) Why did Captain Cook change the name of Tūhua to Mayor Island Mawhiti Tino Rawe – Clever Crustaceans A touring Te Papa exhibition was a playful exploration of the bizarre and diverse world of five marine crustaceans They can change their shape and circle the globe slaters and other crustaceans are the stars of a new mini-exhibition presented by Niwa and Te Papa This exhibit shows the great work done cleaning up rubbish at Waihī Beach “All this rubbish that pollutes our oceans and destroys our natural world “A shocking display of rubbish collected in three hours by one person after a storm “So come on in and if you haven’t been before – you are in for a surprise!” Dog attack victim Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan Dogs seized and euthanised after a 4-year-old boy was mauled to death in Bay of Plenty last week were not menacing breeds Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan, also known as Timoti was critically injured by dogs while visiting a property in Tuapiro on Friday He was taken to Katikati Medical Centre but died shortly after arriving Three dogs were seized from the scene by Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services staff and later euthanised The council previously declined to release the breeds until these were fully confirmed Council general manager regulatory services Alison Curtis said on Wednesday animal services team had assessed the dogs They had identified them as an American bulldog cross border collie - mastiff cross and Staffordshire bull terrier - border collie cross Curtis said none of the breeds were classified as menacing under the Dog Control Act She said the dogs belonged to one person who signed them over to the council’s custody Timoti was farewelled at Ōtāwhiwhi Marae in Waihī Beach on Thursday and was to be interred with his late mother A Givealittle page set up to support his family described him as a “most treasured mokopuna” of Timothy Bryan and Amy Rolleston and the beloved boisterous son of the late Hayley Rolleston and Tu’uaki Kata Police said their inquiries on behalf of the Coroner were continuing Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years The Arts Junction building in Katikati is being repaired over the coming months Katikati’s creative hub is getting some much-needed attention with weather-damaged parts of the Arts Junction building being repaired over the next few months The work will fix issues primarily affecting the front entranceway and southern wall and will see the glass entranceway permanently removed which is owned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council and leased to the Arts Junction Fencing and signage will go up after Easter with work scheduled to begin on Monday April 28 The repairs are expected to be finished by the end of August The Arts Junction is a hub for creativity and connection in Katikati and these repairs are important to ensure the building remains safe dry and welcoming for the many people who use it “We know how much the community values the Arts Junction so keeping it open and accessible during this work is a priority “This is an important investment to protect the building and make sure it continues to serve the community well into the future.” This Tiny Home show home was stolen from Katikati and was returned in three hours A quick response from the Katikati community saw a stolen tiny home found three hours after an appeal was posted to social media The Tiny House Builders Ltd show home was stolen from a property on Rea Rd about 4am on Saturday and owner Rebecca McLean said it took the offender 20 minutes to smash the trailer lock take off the jacks and hook the five-tonne show home to the tow bar of their ute McLean posted on social media about the theft and provided her phone number for people to contact her directly with any information She received around 10 phone calls from people who had seen the ute towing her show home from Katikati towards Rotorua Some people reported sightings to McLean and sent in bits from security cameras that had been facing the street Another person saw the tiny home parked up and immediately contacted her The combined efforts of the community and police saw the tiny home found within three hours McLean did not know why the people stole the tiny home We’re supposed to put them on a truck and transport them It would have been a nightmare to drive it.” “We’re really grateful to everyone who had taken the time to reach out and be like “It wouldn’t have been found without them [the community].” A police spokesperson said the trailer and structure were located at an Upper Ohauiti Rd location “A forensic examination has been conducted and inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.” This wasn’t McLean’s first rodeo with theft A Tiny House “pod” was stolen from the property last year Every year on April 25 there are opportunities across the country to honour men and women who have served in wars at Anzac Day ceremonies This year is particularly poignant as it has been 110 years since the Gallipoli landing and 80 years since the end of World War II said Katikati RSA president Trevor Gilbert “Lest we forget,” Gilbert said “It’s important to honour those who have served as there are many of us there’s been many conflicts since the end of World War II.” New Zealand has commemorated the Gallipoli landing ever since and Anzac Day has been a public holiday since 1921 Katikati has been holding Anzac services since World War I Gilbert is a Vietnam veteran (1970-1971) of the New Zealand Army “You make friends for life with those who served We’ve experienced some tough situations – you form a bond that is never broken.” The parade will form at 5.45am behind Katikati War Memorial Hall and march at 5.55am Anyone can join the parade if they’d like to He encourages the families of war veterans to wear their medals Colonel Selwyn Heaton RNZE will address the crowd as will Katikati College’s head boy and girl The local RSA has made Katikati Bowling Club its new home since moving out of the Henry Rd building Everyone is invited to a breakfast at the bowling club (for a small charge) after the ceremony 5.45am: Anzac Day service assembly in Katikati Library carpark and march on foot to Katikati War Memorial Hall 6am: Attendees assemble at the square in front of the War Memorial Hall for the service 6am: Dawn Parade and service at the Waihī Beach RSA 6.30am: Breakfast buffet at the Waihī RSA 8am: Wreath-laying service – Waihī Cemetery 9am: Waihi Heritage Vision and Tunnelling Company descendants – Tunnellers Memorial Reserve 10.45am: Waihī RSA march to Waihī Memorial Hall 11am: Memorial Service – Waihī Memorial Hall 6am: Dawn Service and laying of wreaths – Remembrance Cairn 9.50am: Civic Parade - march assembled opposite Te Puke War Memorial Hall and lead off 10am: Service starts at Te Puke War Memorial Hall (please be seated before the arrival of the parade) 11.30am: March off - everyone is invited to attend the Citizens RSA Te Puke in Jellicoe St/Beatty Ave for light refreshments 10.30am: Anzac Day service at Ōropi Memorial Hall and Community Centre following march fall in at the Remembrance Rock Followed by breakfast at Whakaue Marae (gold coin koha please) 5am: Begin gathering and parking at Moko Marae 6am: Congregate in front of the war memorial gates at TKKM o Te Matai Kura Please bring photos of whānau who have served You are most welcome to share stories if you wish at the service 7am-7.30am: Head to Moko Marae for parakuihi For Tauranga City service information, see the Tauranga City Council website Source: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz A relative of the four-year-old Bay of Plenty boy fatally attacked by dogs has described his nan’s desperate effort to save him — her “last connection” to her late daughter died on Friday after the incident in Katikati He was to be farewelled at Ōtāwhiwhi Marae in Waihī Beach today Police were called to a Tuapiro property about 2.50pm on Friday The critically injured boy was taken to Katikati Medical Centre but died soon after A marae chairman described her as a local woman who tried to stop the attack A Givealittle page set up by Jennie Hunt said Timoti died just 18 days after his fourth birthday Hunt described him as a “most treasured mokopuna” of Timothy Bryan and Amy Rolleston and the beloved “His Nan tried her very hardest to save him “He will be placed to rest with his beloved late mother who passed away before her 21st birthday in 2021.” She hoped setting up the Givealittle would help take some of the stress off the grieving grandmother “who will forever miss her beloved daughter and moko” but also a child before your time and then the last connection to your baby is heartbreaking and unbearable to imagine.” Donations would help cover the costs of the tangi and a headstone and they also hoped to create more awareness of safety around animals for future generations She said Timoti’s smile would “light up a room” and his death had affected all his whānau a spokesman for Tuapiro Marae and Rolleston-Bryan’s whānau told the Bay of Plenty Times on Monday farewelling Timoti would be “extremely difficult” for his family This included Katikati Medical Centre staff “still reeling over Timoti’s death” the first responders from emergency services and others who assisted at the scene He said the attack happened when Timoti was visiting a privately owned property about 2km from his home A woman was injured when she “intervened to try to stop the attack” who is also a trustee of Tuapiro’s sister marae Ōtāwhiwhi Marae said the woman was receiving further treatment in a ward at Tauranga Hospital after “undergoing a medical procedure” any support the community could provide Timoti’s grief-stricken family would be “gratefully appreciated” this support would “definitely help” the youngster’s whānau Kingi said many visitors came to Ōtāwhiwhi Marae on Sunday and Monday to pay their respects and offers of support from the wider community had included preparing meals “This includes from people who did not even know Timoti but clearly have been deeply impacted by his tragic death “We have also received lots of messages of sympathies including from some people in Australia who also did not know him.” Kingi said more than 100 people had been expected to attend the funeral He said he wanted to reiterate his thanks to the Katikati Medical Centre emergency services responders and others who assisted at the scene and “did everything they could” A police spokeswoman said police were continuing their enquiries on behalf of the Coroner and would not be making any further comment at this stage of the investigation A Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokeswoman said on Monday three dogs signed over by the owner to the council after the attack had been euthanised The council would not release the primary breeds of the dogs involved until the information had been “fully confirmed” The Big Road Blues is set to take audiences back to the heart of acoustic blues Katikati’s Main Rd will come alive with the smooth sounds of jazz on Saturday as the Katikati Jazz Street Festival brings a family-friendly celebration of music to town this free community event is part of the Port of Tauranga 62nd National Jazz Festival and is proudly brought to you by Katch Katikati with support from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund Festival-goers can enjoy busker-style musicians scattered throughout the town Katikati War Memorial Hall and Cherry Court there will be family-friendly entertainment including mini golf face painting and outdoor games alongside the Katikati Town & Country Market at the memorial hall which will offer a variety of local crafts Katch Katikati event manager Kylie Watkins said music-lovers will be treated to a stellar line-up of musicians each bringing their own unique style and energy to the streets of Katikati “Lucky Strike are a dynamic jazz trio from Waihī and Tauranga featuring Liam Ryan (keyboards) Leith Milson (bass) and Simon Graham (drums) Their performances promise a mix of classic jazz standards with fresh interpretations “Blue Riders are a trio featuring three presidents of the Tauranga Jazz Society Committee funk and blues-tinged compositions for a groove-filled experience “Big Road Blues are a spin-off from the renowned Bay of Plenty blues and roots band Kokomo washboard) set to take audiences back to the heart of acoustic blues.” The Trevor Braunias and Jill Leighton Jazz Duo deliver swinging jazz standards and smooth Latin tunes and love to engage audiences and even get them dancing “With the Katikatz Jazz Band you can expect to hear Dixieland tunes from the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and The Original Dixieland Jass Band with a whole lot of fun in between.” the Katikati Jazz Street Festival promises to be a highlight on the local events calendar “We are absolutely thrilled to create this opportunity for our community to experience world-class jazz right on their doorstep,” Watkins said “We can’t wait to see Katikati buzzing with groovy jazz and festive vibes.” That’s how 4-year-old Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan‘s devastated grandparents Amy Rolleston and Timothy Bryan will remember the little boy who has been in their care since he was 6 months old was fatally attacked by dogs on March 28 in Tuapiro Katikati and died shortly afterwards at Katikati Medical Centre who are still mourning the death of their daughter Hayley Speaking with the Bay of Plenty Times at Tuapiro Marae today Rolleston said she and her family were devastated at Timoti’s death but knowing that he had gone to his mother brought some comfort I’ve been blocking out the tragic incident and focusing on the good memories.” Rolleston said her daughter died during the Auckland Covid-19 lockdown after a battle with depression She and Bryan took Timoti into their care immediately after Hayley’s death Amy said being able to care for him was a “blessing” “He was the only thing we had left of her.” Rolleston said she and Bryan had always ensured Timoti knew he was loved especially as they were worried about how his mother’s death could impact him later in life fearless and sociable boy and enjoyed playing the loving and protective big brother to his older cousin Jayleen Rolleston “He went through phases – one month it was dinosaurs the next month it was Bluey … We always made sure he had what he wanted." Amy said Timoti would copy his koro getting ready for “work” every day packing toys in his Spider-Man backpack and sitting by the gate for a while before returning inside Bryan had always looked forward to the cheerful greeting from the children on his return home [Timoti] and Jayleen would always come out and say ‘Koro’s home!’ I always liked that “I just feel a little bit empty without him sunny day – Rolleston had dropped Bryan to work then she and Timoti travelled to Tauranga for some winter shopping The radio was playing one of her favourite songs and Timoti surprised her by singing along with all the lyrics – something he had never done before preferring to listen to her grandson’s voice as he continued the song to the end they returned home and Timoti went straight to a tap to fill up the pistol She said Timoti was great friends with their neighbours and would visit them frequently – they adored him in return Timoti immediately went to show them his new prize they were getting ready to head out to pick Jayleen up from school and Timoti was right next to her “And then he wasn’t where I thought he was Her last memory of her grandson was him looking at her Rolleston did not see the attack but would never forget the aftermath – something she was still trying to “block out” “I’ve learned to just block it and try and focus on the memories because if I do get flashbacks … there’s crying She was still unsure where exactly the attack happened – she was intentionally trying not to learn too much about Timoti’s last moments – but said their neighbours “desperately” tried to save him Timoti “loved dogs” and Rolleston said people needed to be aware attacks like this could happen – no matter what breed the dog was Children needed to be educated about how to safely interact with dogs Rolleston and Bryan have focused their energies on caring for Jayleen who is longing for her younger cousin who always acted like her elder brother “I can see it in her that she’s missing him She stares off and has moments where she’s … so I worry about her.” The couple said they wanted to say a huge thank you for the outpouring of support and love they had received One fisherman they had never met pulled up to the marae and donated his day’s catch Another museum worker had called into the marae before dawn to offer her hands and help Waihi College raised money with a bake sale Otawhiwhi – came together and organised everything behind the scenes The emergency services “tried their best” and Rolleston said she took her hat off to them I couldn’t believe – I still can’t – how much support “It has made things a whole lot easier for us.” The tangi – Timoti’s “last party” – was a three-day celebration the boy would have loved The hākari (feast) was decorated with a Spider-Man theme “He brought joy to a lot of people’s lives,” Rolleston said “We took his coffin outside so he could see all his cousins having a big party for him He was buried on top of his mother at a family urupā Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year. Paying for clean-up means less money for the community. Police were called around 2.50pm after two people suffered "dog bite injuries" in Katikati. A child was taken to the Katikati Medical Centre in a critical condition, where they died of their injuries a short time later, police said. An adult was taken to hospital with moderate injuries, where they remain. A Tuapiro Marae spokesperson confirmed to 1News a child had died of their injuries following an incident on Tuapiro Marae. "We’re primarily focused on supporting the immediate family, and community members that have been affected." In a statement posted on Facebook today, the marae announced that it was "with great sadness that Tuapiro Marae acknowledges a recent death that took place on the Whenua of Tuapiro". "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by the loss at this time our priority will be to support our whānau through this hard time. "We wish to mihi to the Katikati Medical Centre, and emergency services for your awhi tautoko. "Pānui will be updated when details become clearer." Police said animal management staff "have taken the dogs involved in the incident". Police are making inquiries into the incident on behalf of the coroner. A young child has died and an adult has been injured following a dog attack in Bay of Plenty yesterday afternoon. Crooks culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria Bush picked to take over as Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes Crime and Justice Police experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising Technology has outpaced a currently underway review of the Arms Act and criminals are already taking advantage US prisons bureau has challenges — reopening Alcatraz is now another Juliana Herrera's family tell inquest: 'Stop repeating avoidable mistakes' was murdered in January 2022 by her neighbour Health Arrest after person assaulted A nurse leaving her shift last month was held up at gunpoint outside the grounds of the hospital More than 25kg cocaine seizure leads to four arrests across NZ Tauranga and Auckland as a result of the six-week investigation Film industry anxiously awaits details on Trump's 100% movie tariff 7:17pm Search underway for Masterton man, 74, missing since Sunday 7:07pm Crooks, culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria 7:05pm Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials 6:45pm Police, experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising 6:33pm Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 7:28pm 1US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand Iwi misses out on bid to buy back ancestral mountain US prisons bureau has challenges — reopening Alcatraz is now another Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon A young child has died and an adult has been injured following a dog attack in Bay of Plenty yesterday afternoon Police were called around 2.50pm after two people suffered "dog bite injuries" in Katikati A child was taken to the Katikati Medical Centre in a critical condition where they died of their injuries a short time later An adult was taken to hospital with moderate injuries A Tuapiro Marae spokesperson confirmed to 1News a child had died of their injuries following an incident on Tuapiro Marae "We’re primarily focused on supporting the immediate family and community members that have been affected." the marae announced that it was "with great sadness that Tuapiro Marae acknowledges a recent death that took place on the Whenua of Tuapiro" "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by the loss at this time our priority will be to support our whānau through this hard time "We wish to mihi to the Katikati Medical Centre and emergency services for your awhi tautoko Police said animal management staff "have taken the dogs involved in the incident" Police are making inquiries into the incident on behalf of the coroner The next top cop of the troubled Victoria police force embraces his "outsider" status to curb its leadership malaise and has a stern warning for crooks Former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush won the race to become Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes The 40-year police veteran steps into the role on June 27 with a five-year contract The Kiwi conceded the job will be no picnic with Victoria's crime rate hitting an almost decade-high in 2024 everyone knows that," he told reporters today "These crime issues are actually global they are quite similar wherever you go but it's not good enough just to turn up after the act Rising youth crime and high-profile cases of alleged offenders committing crimes while on bail spurred the Victorian government to strengthen laws in March Bush said he was familiar with the crackdown but bail laws were just one part of the solution to tackling youth crime along with a "prevention mindset" He retired from the NZ police force in 2020 after joining in 1978 and spending his final six years in the top job Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption and Covid-19 pandemic were among the biggest crises Bush confronted during his tenure Bush also made headlines in 2022 after it emerged he had a past drink-driving conviction when unsuccessfully applying to become head of the UK's Metropolitan Police Former New Zealand police minister Stuart Nash describedr Bush as hard but fair He said Bush regularly met with police forces across the Tasman in his previous role and recalled travelling with him to every district across New Zealand once a year to chew the fat with communities and then we all had biscuits and a cup of tea," Nash told AAP "Mike is someone who had deep credibility in policing." The state government has not handed the reins of Victoria Police to an outsider since former NSW Police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 The Kiwi was happy to wear the "outsider" tag and is already hatching plans to hit the ground running "I've got a lot to do to come up to speed," Bush said "Culture is a consequence of leadership." establishing relationships with community groups amid rising tensions and increasing police visibility on the beat were among his other top initial priorities Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent became acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent before throwing in the towel in April Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill will serve in an acting capacity until Bush takes over Bush intends to speak with Patton before starting and said he wouldn't shy away from pushing back if he disagreed with the government Premier Jacinta Allan said a recruitment agency was hired and instructed to find a leader capable of addressing the "challenges" plaguing the force "Mike Bush is the best person for the job," she said whose union led the no-confidence vote against Patton following a bitter pay dispute admitted there was a disconnect between members and leaders The state police union secretary welcomed Mr Bush's appointment and pledge to listen to the mounting workforce concerns "We have a police force that is currently under-resourced that needs fresh officers," he said Eleven inmate deaths in less than two months A US$3 billion (NZ$5 billion) repair backlog a stunning directive from President Donald Trump for the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons to “REBUILD AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” — the notorious penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay that last held inmates more than 60 years ago Even as the Bureau of Prisons struggles with short staffing chronic violence and crumbling infrastructure at its current facilities Trump is counting on the agency to fulfill his vision of rebooting the infamously inescapable prison known in movies and pop culture as The Rock Trump declared in a social media post that a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz will house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders” Newly appointed Bureau of Prisons Director William K Marshall III said that the agency “will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda” and that he has ordered “an immediate assessment to determine our needs and the next steps” We look forward to restoring this powerful symbol of law and justice,” Marshall said in a statement “We will be actively working with our law enforcement and other federal partners to reinstate this very important mission.” an 8.9-hectare spit of land with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline was once the crown jewel of the federal prison system and home to some of the nation’s most notorious criminals including gangsters Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly But skyrocketing repair and supply costs compelled the Justice Department to close the prison in 1963 and the Bureau of Prisons has long since replaced Alcatraz with modern penitentiaries including a maximum-security prison in Florence The former and perhaps future penitentiary is now a popular tourist attraction and a national historic landmark It’s controlled by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area meaning the Bureau of Prisons could be in for an interagency tug of war if it tries to wrest away control of the island Trump’s Alcatraz directive is yet another challenge for the Bureau of Prisons as it struggles to fix lingering problems while responding to the president’s priorities on incarceration and immigrant detention includes taking in thousands of immigration detainees under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security The problems at the Bureau of Prisons transcend administrations and facilities An ongoing Associated Press investigation has uncovered deep previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons over the last few years including widespread criminal activity by employees and severe understaffing that has hampered responses to emergencies then-President Joe Biden signed a law strengthening oversight of the agency It remains the Justice Department’s largest agency 155,000 inmates and an annual budget of about US$8 billion (NZ$13.4 billion) but the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures have eliminated some pay bonuses that were credited with retaining and attracting new staff That has resulted in long overtime shifts for some workers and the continued use of a policy known as augmentation teachers and other workers are pressed into duty to guard inmates A Bureau of Prisons official told Congress at a hearing in February that more than 4000 beds within the system — the equivalent of at least two full prisons — are unusable because of dangerous conditions like leaking or failing roofs a 37-year-old Florida businessman who was found dead April 28 in a suspected suicide at a federal jail in Miami He was awaiting trial on charges that he kidnapped and killed his estranged wife in Spain inmate Ramadhan Jaabir Justice was killed in a fight at the federal penitentiary in Pollock where he was serving a nearly 11-year sentence for a conviction related to an armed robbery As Trump was ordering Alcatraz’s reopening correctional officers at the same Miami jail were fighting to curb the spread of tuberculosis and Covid-19 isolating inmates after they tested positive for the diseases immigration detainees at the facility ripped out a fire sprinkler and flooded a holding cell during a lengthy intake process the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin has sat idle for more than a year after the Bureau of Prisons cleared it of inmates in the wake of rampant sexual abuse by employees the agency made the closure permanent and idled six prison camps across the country to address “significant challenges crumbling infrastructure and limited budgetary resources” While Trump hails Alcatraz as a paragon of the federal prison system’s cherished past other facilities stand as reminders of its recent troubles They include the federal jail in Manhattan which remains idle after Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide there in 2019 exposed deep flaws in its operations where 23 inmates have been charged in recent months with crimes ranging from smuggling weapons in a Doritos bag to the stabbing last month of a man convicted in the killing of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay A person is in custody after an alleged theft which left a person injured on the grounds of Palmerston North Hospital Police said officers were called to a Ruahine St carpark about 1.30pm on Tuesday Police said the alleged offender left the scene and was found a short time later "Police would like to thank the members of the public who witnessed the incident and intervened to assist the victim," a police spokesperson said That same night a staff member was knocked unconscious Staff have been calling for security improvements Health NZ MidCentral operations group director Sarah Fenwick previously told RNZ it was committed to making staff feel safer She said these included a security escort to vehicles increasing security services on hospital grounds and "opening up" access to the staff carpark for people working afternoon and night shifts "Lighting has been audited in all outside carparking areas to ensure it is well maintained," she said "Interim access to well-lit parking onsite with dedicated security for staff working afternoon and night shifts while a more permanent solution for out-of-hours carparking is developed." rnz.co.nz More than 25kg of cocaine has been seized and four men arrested following an joint investigation into the importation of the drug into Christchurch Police and Customs received information about a "significant importation" of cocaine that had come through Lyttelton Port on March 29 Search warrants were then executed across the country by specialist teams to support investigators with evidence gathering including possession of cocaine for supply and burglary and will appear in various district courts across a range of dates Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks said the seizure equated to more than 250,000 doses of cocaine and $9 million of harm "That is an enormous amount of damage and misery that had been heading into our communities that has now been halted through this investigation." Sparks said the success of the investigation was partly down to the "excellent partnership" between Customs and the police "We continue to have a focus on engaging with businesses and supporting their legitimate services by keeping them safe with prevention advice to deter drug trafficking organisations’ attempts to exploit their people and premises." Customs acting investigations manager Rachael Manning said the investigation resulted from quick action and close collaboration between the agencies as well as industry partners "We know that transnational and serious organised crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand to drive up both demand and supply of illegal drugs such as cocaine for maximum profit They’re using every method possible to exploit any vulnerabilities within international supply chains in secure areas or on vessels themselves." A search and rescue operation is underway for a Masterton man in his 70s missing since Sunday John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on May 4 The 74-year-old did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later Matheson said it was possible Rafferty was staying with a friend but police and loved ones "want to know he’s safe" and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet," he said A search team and a helicopter has been out looking for the missing man "We are really keen to know that he’s safe." Police have released an image from CCTV showing Rafferty on a station platform on the day of his disappearance He was wearing a blue jacket with 'NASA' written on the back Anyone who saw him was asked to contact police on 111 or online at 105 if there was Information after the fact The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ for alleged inaccurate pricing and misleading specials that may have breached the Fair Trading Act The commission filed the charges against Woolworths in the Auckland District Court It indicated in December last year that it would be filing separate criminal charges against Woolworths and two Pak'nSave supermarkets the commission said there were ongoing issues with pricing in the supermarket sector and the operators may have breached the Fair Trading Act deputy chair Anne Callinan said operators should know what the expectations were "Supermarkets have long been on notice about the importance of accurate and clear pricing and specials and we're not satisfied with the continuing issues we're seeing across the industry "Pricing accuracy is a consumer right and an expectation of a competitive market well-resourced businesses that should invest the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right." She said the charges were filed to remind all supermarkets that they are expected to fix the pricing accuracy issues and implement better processes In a statement when the charges were announced Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said it was important customers could trust prices advertised at their supermarkets Woolworths said it has cooperated with the Commerce Commission's pricing investigation for some time rnz.co.nz Former prime minister Sir John Key says he remains optimistic about Donald Trump's domestic economic policy despite opposing the tariff strategy that has sent global markets into turmoil in recent months who served as prime minister for eight years was the keynote speaker at an Auckland business summit earlier today Sir John told 1News he believed Trump would ultimately take a more moderate approach to tariffs than initially proposed "I'm not a fan of tariff policies I don't think they really work," he said as I think the stock market is telling you at the moment that actually there will be a more sensible landing place for the tariffs that he's wanting to impose." Sir John said he "wasn't entirely surprised" at Trump's call to go ahead with the policy "They're just a negotiating point I think he simply put on widespread and high rates of tariffs on every country to give himself a leverage point and a negotiating point "What I think he actually grossly underestimated was the stock market reaction You can actually make the case that his own strategy hasn't worked The reason the markets have recovered is because he's taken those tariffs off the most part 'I'm going to negotiate case by case'." Sir John suggested Trump's economic policies could still generally be positive for the US but the tariffs could be trickier for the global economy Asked whether he stood by his October comments that Trump would be good for the economy he said: "Do I think he's going to reduce regulatory burden in the United States It depends on where things shake down in terms of tariffs." Sir John acknowledged that for certain industries Trump's policies could be "a really negative thing" particularly if the president's proposed 100% tariff on the film industry were to be implemented "I can't see how it would be cost-competitive to make a movie in New Zealand with a 100% tariff on it," he said noting that films such as The Hobbit would not have been made in New Zealand without government subsidies who now served as a director of US tech company Palo Alto Networks said he had "always been opposed" to Trump's tariff policies but believes they won't be the "dominant part of his economic solutions" "I don't think it's perfect from New Zealand's point of view but I don't think we should panic either and America will still be a very big market for us to sell things to," he said "There are growing markets around the world It's not a great thing from New Zealand's point of view We've got a very sound economy with lots of options in front of us." Sir John suggested a belief that the Republican Trump was was better "on balance" for the US economy than Democratic opponent Kamala Harris he expressed concerns about Trump's tariff approach: "China doesn't pay those tariffs middle-income consumers or consumers in America do because when a tariff goes on a good that you bring into a country He added: "I don't agree with the massive tariffs and I don't think you'll follow through with all of that and I certainly don't agree with this view on trade." Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” Hawke's Bay iwi Ngāti Kahungunu has been unsuccessful in its bid to buy back the mountain Kahurānaki but the iwi says its connection to the land will always remain Kahurānaki Station - a 1156 hectare sheep and beef farm south of Havelock North which includes the peak of the mountain - came up for sale earlier this year and the iwi launched a fundraising campaign to buy it The campaign to bring the Kahurānaki back into Māori ownership was called He Maunga Ka Taea and included a 10-day hīkoi from Māhia to Kahurānaki It raised more than $95,000 on crowd funding platform koha.kiwi Hastings-based post-settlement governance entity Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Trust submitted a tender on behalf of the iwi Chairman Pōhatu Paku said the trust was the only local entity to tender for the Station and they were saddened and disappointed by the outcome The trust had approached the tender on the basis it was presented Paku acknowledged the young and emerging iwi members who had generated the groundswell of support for the tender and for the longer term status of the mountain ki tēnā o tātau e titikaha nei ki tēnei kaupapa I just want to acknowledge and mihi to everybody that has connected with this kaupapa Paku said the trust would be engaging with the station's new owners at an appropriate time to convey the iwi's history and also set out their aspirations "The continuation of the protection of our wāhi tapu (sacred sites) is significantly important to us Continued access to the mountain would also be a high priority "The previous owners were quite open for Kura for people running kaupapa and also those that wished to ascend the maunga they allowed that they identified that it was culturally significant to us all." Paku said Tamatea Pōkai Whenua will need to foster the groundswell of support and leadership that the He Maunga Ka Taea campaign had generated "The whakapapa connections and taonga that is Kahurānaki maunga remain our greatest advantage is that we live in perpetuity and our maunga and our tīpuna live with us and they continue to be ours "And like all of our tūtohu whenua (landmarks) our maunga carries our traditions and our identity and our histories and we remain uncompromising to act in the best interests of our tūtohu whenua both for this generation and for future generations." Paku said the trust may look at legal personhood as another avenue to protect the mountain but ultimately he said the maunga remains an ancestor and retains its own mana which no one can ever own rnz.co.nz Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted Katikati Medical Centre has closed its books to new patients as patient wait times become “dangerous” The town’s medical centre has joined other general practices across the country in turning away new patients due to poor funding Katikati Medical Centre put a post on its Facebook page early this month letting the community know of its decision and why Clinical director and GP Vicky Jones said the clinic was frustrated at having to do this but their patient wait time was six weeks for a routine appointment “We need to be able to provide a service to those patients already registered with us.” Their decision was essentially due to “a lack of Government investment over many years – resulting in chronic underfunding to general practice making it hard to recruit and retain staff” She said the wait time was becoming dangerous and they were not alone in having long wait times “We worry that people will have important diagnoses delayed or simply not come because it just feels too hard Jones said many GPs across the country were quietly quitting and doing fewer sessions or moving into niche private areas as pay terms and conditions did not compare to their hospital peers GPs get funding from capitation (a per-registered-patient payment that varies depending on age/sex) and from patient co-payments “If capitation increased and we could pay all our staff comparably to Te Whatu Ora doctors and admin – would be enticed back into general practice work.” Last year the Government’s capitation funding for family doctors increased to 4% and many GPs across the country said this was too low to meet cost pressures “What choice do medical centres have but to put up co-payments if they want to stay in business?” Jones asked Fifteen minutes of consultation time – the standard for medical practices across New Zealand – was not enough “Trying to manage complex patients in 15-minute blocks look after them intensely for the year or two it takes them to be seen by secondary care clinics and then manage fallout when they are discharged too early There was also administration such as completing forms referral letters and speaking to peers or hospital staff they worried that people would have important diagnoses delayed or they would not come because it felt too hard GenPro (General Practice Owners Association) chairman Dr Angus Chambers said communities would be facing the loss of their medical “We will not only see closed books but practices closing,” Chambers said “Closing books is a difficult decision for many practices as they do not like the idea of people in their communities not being able to access general practice healthcare “This is both an ethical decision as well as a pragmatic one if you enrol too many patients it gets harder to deliver quality care and wait times get longer You can deliver on the promise of looking after your patients well Pragmatically the workload from too many patients gets overwhelming GPs get burnt out and they may leave the practice if they are not tied to it.” Commercially speaking it made sense to enrol as many as possible “You still get the capitation even if you provide a poor service We do see some services around the acting like this.” Another aspect was poor workplace planning which had contributed to staff shortages alongside poor funding Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora living well director Martin Hefford said their data showed they continued to experience high rates of patient enrolment “We recognise that primary care is managing workforce and resourcing constraints resulting in some being unable to enrol new patients enrolment has remained at around 94% of the New Zealand estimated population.” Primary healthcare organisations were working with general practices to encourage enrolment based on capacity constraints and local priorities Health NZ was monitoring which general practices had closed books Health NZ reviewed capitation funding in line with costs yearly with a 7.76% increase in average allowable fee increases giving a combined average 5.88% total revenue increase This matches the independent estimate of general practice services' cost growth over the past 12 months from Sapere Research Group.” Initiatives were under way to increase the GP workforce including an accommodation allowance for trainees increasing the number of GPs trained per year to 300 by 2026 and funding for practices offering community-based placements for post-graduate year one and two interns Grey Power national vice-president David Marshall said Grey Power remained “extremely concerned at the significant decline in medical services nationally and especially the under-investment in primary care” “We acknowledge the challenges that general practice is facing with the need to close books we are concerned that many seniors learning of the appointment delays may postpone seeking an appointment and remain unwell for too long Katikati has the highest number of seniors among Western Bay of Plenty towns and Tauranga Hospital is more than half an hour’s drive away Marshall said access to timely medical care was critical for community well-being Katikati Medical Centre has plans to help the local situation for those who needed to see a doctor urgently Patient concerns were managed either by phone or they were brought in to see a doctor in person that day or have an appointment made semi-urgently or routinely depending on their problem The centre also has two locum doctors working for them for two months and Dr Andrew Cox will return in April They were actively trying to recruit more GPs And we very much want doctors,” Jones said “The Government just needs to put their money where their mouth is and fund primary care [with] what it needs to keep our population healthy Enough of this ambulance at the bottom of the cliff medicine.” For a list of alternate providers for patients in the area see www.katimed.co.nz A possible co-operative grocery store may be on the cards for Katikati Katch Katikati is supporting a feasibility study on an initiative to create a grocery store in Katikati with the aim of meeting needs in the community Current organisations helping others are Katikati Christian Foodbank Katikati Community Centre and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua who supply up to 200 meals weekly but there is evidence there’s more need out there – possibly up to 300 elderly people Katch Katikati promotions manager Jacqui Knight said current food insecurities in the community made them look at how they could help as a community “The community is amazing in supporting both Kura Kai and the Katikati Christian Foodbank with food items the use of these services is increasing in demand and although we know the community is great at supporting them we feel that this initiative allows more support from the wider community – at the same time offering the community another choice on where to shop locally.” The store would be supported by regular shoppers and profits would go back to the community It would source seasonal fresh produce from local growers A “Katikard system” would be established to operate like a gift card of three levels – community shopper foodbank and Katikati Community Centre/Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua level Target recipients would be those experiencing food insecurity Referrals would come from social organisations and community centres Benefits for individuals could be better health Benefits for the community could include fewer hungry children at schools a source of fresh produce and some vocational training Feedback is being sought via the survey, which can be found on Katch Katikati Facebook page or you can complete an online survey here Some Western Bay of Plenty residents are pragmatic about the traffic on State Highway 2 despite renewed frustration at congestion on the highway A section of SH2 between Te Puna and Aongatete started being laid with chip seal this week, as part of a wider six-week project, and SunLive has been contacted by highway users about the impact of the works on traffic this week Josh Hein videoed the traffic congestion on Tuesday estimating the queue was about 15km long between just south of Pahoia School and Bethlehem “This is our route home from work which is going away from Katikati If we were to travel back at that time in the morning [7am] it would add at least three hours to our trip,” Hein said on Tuesday NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said contractors were working to minimise the impact to traffic by completing most of the works during the night and using temporary speed limits and other traffic management during the day to slow traffic NZTA Bay of Plenty system manager Sandra King said SH2 was an “incredibly sensitive piece of road” and any reduced speed limits from work or incidents near or on this road saw changes in traffic flow An agency statement on Thursday said the chip seal works between Tauranga and Katikati were due to be done by January 24 and Katikati to Athenree Gorge by January 31 – weather allowing Keeping traffic moving slowly over the new seal was crucial to helping the waterproofing set properly Workers and residents spoken to by SunLive about the traffic were annoyed at the delays from the roadworks but pragmatic about the future results Whakamarama Automotive staff member and Greerton resident Craig said the traffic had been good on Wednesday and there had not been any peak-time traffic Craig said he believed people were choosing to stay home to avoid the roads Craig said it usually took him 25 minutes to get to work in the morning from Greerton but Ōmokoroa local Eve Grimley said she came in half an hour early to get to her appointment at Whakamarama Automotive so you’ll see the improvement in the traffic.” Grimley said she was optimistic and hopeful about the roadworks and believed the Ōmokoroa roundabout would have a positive impact on the traffic flow Living in Ōmokoroa for 10 years meant she knew the back roads and shortcuts to use when traffic was really bad Whakamarama Automotive owner Mathew Donachie said he was less optimistic about the roadworks and traffic it was creating Donachie said he had to drive with the worst of the traffic “There’s no other road to get into Tauranga I don’t know how they could get around it without causing the trouble that they do.” It usually took Donachie between 25 and 30 minutes to get to work in the morning “Tuesday morning it took me an hour to get from Pahoia School to here and that was leaving half an hour earlier.” but the traffic’s actually flowing today [Thursday] Donachie agreed with Craig’s theory that people were staying at home to avoid traffic “I’m just annoyed at the fact that they should have done something to these roads 10 to 15 years ago when they were going to build the highway along there.” Donachie said he believed the roading network had not kept up with the rate of development in Ōmokoroa “What did they really expect was going to happen and you’ve still got the same old single highway road.” NZTA said 15,000 vehicles travelled on SH2 per day from Waihī to Te Puna and 20,000 per day travelled from Te Puna to Tauranga “These numbers are growing by around 2% to 3% each year.” Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer said he believed the roads should have been updated in step with the Ōmokoroa developments He said the issue was differing priorities between governments “It was planned for the upgrade of the State Highway from Ōmokoroa to Tauranga to have been done some years ago and then the project was cancelled and then reinstated “That has been a frustration for [the] council and for residents “We are obliged by [the] government to accommodate growth and provide housing and we need to keep up with the infrastructure.” Denyer said the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils were keen to sign up for a “regional deal” – a new initiative between central and local government to drive economic growth – and a long-term partnership agreement would make things more aligned Katikati Festival of Cultures committee members Kylie Watkins Changes are afoot for this year’s Katikati Festival of Cultures flag parade and festivities on Saturday has introduced several changes to cater for the event’s growing popularity 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 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 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 “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 There’s also the Holi-inspired “powder throw” where brightly coloured powder will be thrown which symbolises unity Cultural performers represented include Vanuatu 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 Carisbrooke St for the flag parade (10am) to Moore Park (11am) Carol Palmer and Alistair Niven on their avocado orchard near Katikati A Katikati couple who have owned an avocado orchard for only five years are “branching out” with clever solutions to survive market downturns Alistair Niven and Carol Palmer flipped their lives from corporate city dwellers to hands-on orchardists after an “a-ha” moment while sitting on the deck of their 12th-floor Auckland apartment during Covid this really isn’t the ideal place to be,” Niven recalled It was a conversation about avocados that sparked an idea and before they knew it “We didn’t know a good avocado from a bad one,” Niven said Niven’s background in agriculture meant he hit the ground running “I spent my career in corporate leadership roles,” she said the sounds of the birds and cicadas – it’s incredibly grounding “Alistair always asks what podcast I’m listening to The couple soon realised the reality of working in the horticulture sector and running an orchard presented challenges we were getting $37 per export tray,” Niven said adverse climatic events meant we got down to single figures The uncertainty of the avocado market led them to get creative “We hit every market possible,” Niven said “We’re determined our fruit is the highest quality This year their fruit was exported to Australia Costco came to inspect the orchard,” he said “We also supply the local markets through Apata “It’s great to know we’re part of something bigger and that our fruit is going everywhere.” they decided to plant 100 passionfruit vines alongside the avocados so the avocado trees are protecting them,” Niven explained but the same chemicals kill them and the fertilisers work together Read more Coast & Country News stories here “The passionfruit provide a secondary income but the avocados are helping the passionfruit to grow.” but so far it’s working well,” Palmer said so I’m always checking the backs of the leaves to see if there are any bugs on them.” The couple have learned to roll with the punches especially when the weather doesn’t co-operate “We had a brutal windstorm in December 2023 and it devastated a lot of orchards in the region,” Niven said our best export pack out across the Bay of Plenty was 60% especially when that directly impacts exports and the export return.” but that’s horticulture for you,” Palmer said workshops and field days run by Apata and NZ Avocado ensures the couple are constantly soaking up the latest research and best practices “We’ve even hosted field days on our orchard,” Niven said “We had a number of people show up to our field day and it’s amazing how much you can learn from fresh eyes.” Niven works at Apata Grower Services and Palmer was elected to the board of NZ Avocado in 2023 “You’ve got to look outside your square and be adaptable,” Niven said “If each person ate just one more avocado each year the entire crop would be consumed in New Zealand Ballance Agri-Nutrients worker says there a lot of anxiety over potential loss of jobs Katikati Festival of Cultures "Parade of Flags" in 2023 The much-loved Katikati Festival of Cultures is back on Saturday and we’re looking for cultural groups and food vendors to be part of this vibrant community celebration The festival will kick off with the colourful Flag Parade at 10am starting from Katikati College and making its way along Carisbrooke Street to finish at Moore Park where a powhiri will officially open the day’s festivities the park will be filled with cultural performances and a delicious selection of international food “We’re so excited to bring this event back to Katikati,” said event manager for Katch Katikati “It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible diversity in our community and we can’t wait to see the amazing talents “We’re calling on local cultural groups and vendors to showcase their traditions and talents.” Watkins said if you have a cultural performance to share including dance If you want to run an interactive workshop to teach a cultural craft And if you create and sell handcrafted arts and crafts inspired by cultural heritage or if you would like to take part in the Flag Parade by representing your culture with traditional dress this is the place for you and your culture to shine “This festival is all about bringing people together,” said Kylie “It’s a celebration of all the cultures who call our town home We’d love to have as many people involved as possible.” Whether you’re an individual or a community group your participation is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate diversity and share your culture with festival-goers To register your interest or find out more email KatikatiFestivalofCultures@gmail.com or visit www.katikati.org.nz to apply online manned by Keith Pyle and Piet Weller from Zimbabwe The Farr 6000 trailer sailors are “world famous” in New Zealand and Australia And Katikati Boating Club literally have the biggest fleet in the “world” so they felt it was fitting they host the Farr 6000 World Championships the winner of the weekend will also be crowned world champion “These boats were only made in New Zealand and the moulds went to Australia so Australia and New Zealand have a very strong connection – but we have got the biggest fleet by far here in Katikati.” Katikati has a whopping 12 of these iconic trailer sailers They are hoping several other yachts will be coming from other parts of the country to boost their numbers for the weekend “There’s been so much interest in us doing this and our aim is for Katikati to be the centre point .. and we have the best facilities too.” Wallis said there will be various vantage points from around the harbour where people can see the sailing On March 1 there will be a 30km harbour race starting and finishing just north of the Katikati Beach Rd boat ramp (at the beacon) at 9.30am March 2 will include three Olympic-style races with a professional starting team with no foiling allowed (racing starts at 10am) Where: Just north of Katikati Beach Rd boat ramp Katikati College students had a chance to learn skills for speaking in front of an audience Speaking to an audience can be quite daunting for many people Senior students from Katikati College took part this month in a special speaking skills course run by iSpeak Trust with funding from the Wright Family Foundation “The course is designed to support senior secondary students develop their speaking skills and grow their confidence in public speaking,” said an iSpeak Trust spokesperson in a statement “Students learn to manage nerves and any fears they may have when speaking to a group of students or adults They are encouraged to find their own voice.” From fun impromptu speeches about unusual animals and interesting homes to live in to presenting and polishing a prepared speech all the students made visible improvements as the course progressed “They quickly found out how easy it was to speak in public if equipped with appropriate skills and strategies Students were given feedback by their peers and facilitators The Wright Family Foundation have funded the charity iSpeak Trust to provide this fun learning course at Tauranga Boys’ Mount Maunganui and Katikati colleges.” The course is available for all senior high school students For further information about donating to iSpeak Trust or organising a course for senior students, contact Gaye Stratton on 021 778810 or check out the website on https://www.ispeaktrust.com/ My Vaccine Pass requirements have not been set for this event The highlight of the local summer event calendar the Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival 11th January 2025 at the beautiful leafy Uretara Domain Katikati from noon til 6pm.The Festival promises great food children's entertainment and so much more.Tickets now available from The Arts Junction Katikati or online at www.katikatiavofest.co.nz Info at www.katikatiavofest.co.nzThe Festival promises an unforgettable afternoon including:-An amazing line-up of live music from Noon til 6pm: Kokomo White Chapel Jak and Katchafire-Activities for the kids-Delicious avocado-themed food and drink-Cooking demonstrations-Summer vibes ☀️☀️-Grab your tickets now (and save $$$ on tickets on the day) from www.katikatiavofest.co.nz State Highway 2 users are frustrated at what they say are “serious traffic” delays because of roadworks Motorist Josh Hein told SunLive there appeared to be a line of traffic around 15km long on the highway between Tauranga and Katikati He said the congestion starts about 500m south of Pahoia School and ends around Bethlehem If we were to travel back at that time in the morning [7am] it would add at least three hours to our trip,” said Hein NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said chipseal works were being carried out on a section of SH2 “Chipsealing provides important waterproofing on the road surface which protects road pavements.” Once crews complete laying and rolling the new chip a reduced speed limit will be in place over 24 hours to help the chipseal bed in Pavement rebuild works have started at Snodgrass Rd and the chipseal programme is under way north of Te Mete Rd Bay of Plenty system manager Sandra King said SH2 was a sensitive piece of road and any reduced speed limits from work or incidents on or around the road caused changes in traffic flow “The main cause of congestion is the sheer volume of traffic with more than 6000 vehicles per day added to this corridor in the last 10 years “Last week also saw people returning to work or driving home from holiday.” King said traffic was also impacted by the major scrub fire and an emergency incident NZTA said it was carrying out night works and using temporary speed limits to reduce the impact on traffic Chipseal sites between Tauranga and Katikati have been programmed at night to coincide with reduced traffic volumes during the daytime over this school holiday period sites located between Clarke and Te Mete Rds and Barrett and Ōmokoroa Rds are under construction before anticipated wet weather sets in later in the week” work will commence on a site north of Ōmokoroa near Francis Rd and three sites between Hot Springs Rd and Walker Rd East.” Two roundabouts are also in construction for the SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project at Apata Station Rd Roundabout construction is also under way at SH2 Ōmokoroa Rd “We appreciate any delay to travel is frustrating,” King said She encourages people to allow extra time for their journeys SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements: Two roundabouts are currently in construction SH2 Apata Station Rd: Road widening works are under way in preparation for the new roundabout Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions SH2 Ōmokoroa Rd: Road widening and service relocation works are under way in preparation for the new roundabout There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes Te Puna: Night work started on a road rebuild on Sunday taking approximately six weeks to complete near the Snodgrass Rd and Te Puna Quarry Rd intersection While the work is taking place the entry into Snodgrass Rd and Te Puna Quarry Rd will be closed at the state highway end Alternative roads are available to the south via Munro Rd and to the north via Armstrong Rd or Borrell Rd there will be stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h during the day SH2 North chipseal programme: There are nine chipseal sites on SH2 north of Tauranga which started on the night of Sunday taking 10 nights to complete between Clark Rd and finishing near Aongatete There will be a temporary speed limit in place the day after the chipsealing has been completed to allow the chipseal to bed in The two chipseal sites south of Ōmokoroa will be completed by the end of this week with a sites at Te Puna and Ōmokoroa already completed over the past two days This work forms part of the Government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund People are encouraged to plan ahead and see where disruptive works are by using the NZTA Journey Planner. NZTA Journey Planner NZTA thanks road users and the community for their patience *All dates are subject to suitable weather conditions Project Parore REP crew team leader Tejay Samuels and team member Glenn Templeton look at the Project Parore trees planted at the 2024 Katikati A&P Show Project Parore and Renaturing Katikati are inviting everyone to visit their plantation station at the 100th Katikati A&P Show today "Stop by for a chat with the team and gain valuable insights into native planting and sustainable land management," a team spokesperson said Renaturing Katikati actively maintains a network of bait stations and traps around the Uretara Estuary and harbour margins working to improve water quality and reverse biodiversity loss take a stroll to the end of the A&P paddock to see how last year’s plantings have flourished These efforts are part of a broader mission to restore native ecosystems on both public and private land Katikati’s urban environment boasts stunning reserves and harbour edges—natural spaces that enhance community well-being Volunteers from Renaturing Katikati bring the energy effort and determination to make a difference in the Katikati shared ‘backyard’ They care for the Haiku Park river reserve as well as a raft of other Katikati reserves "We're helping landowners develop and roll out environmental plans," Project Parore deputy chair Karen Smillie said "We’re working to enhance public land for the good of wildlife and the humans who enjoy it too We’re supporting research and monitoring so we understand and can show the impact our work has “None of the effort necessary to protect and restore our waterways and whenua can be done in isolation Project Parore REP crew team leader Tejay Samuels Project Parore general manager Brodie Davis Project Parore deputy chair Karen Smillie A&P Show site co-ordinator Lynne Smith and REP crew member Rhys Margan While native plants won’t be for sale at the show today and Protection (REP) team will be on hand to offer expert advice on local climate conditions and the best planting strategies for your property—potentially saving you time and money while enriching the landscape Alongside Project Parore and Renaturing Katikati the show corner will also feature displays from the Aongatete Forest Project and Forest & Bird Tauranga meet the passionate teams driving these initiatives and be inspired to make a difference in your own backyard Posted on 04-02-2025 06:25 | By ConcernedCit What an opportunity we have alongside our motorways and in particular the toll roads in our area like the Tau Eastern Link; long straits of grassed bareness could be planted with all manner of native shrubbery,wild flowers,shade trees and rainfall catchment ponds along with dog walkers who struggle for free running areas Visually it would be a treat to see all the growth Its clear trees are becoming more and more scarce in and around Taurangas built up and new development areas..unfortunately this means bird strikes are an everyday occurrence whearas it may lessen with introduced planting :) Russell Williams drove a Christmas float advertising the 100th Katikati A&P Show on February 2 with A&P Society committee members Kathryn Johns Katikati is in for a whopper of a country fair on February 2 when the Katikati A&P Society hosts its 100th show at the Uretara Domain Society president Louellen Davies and her committee are organising a plethora of activities for young and old to bring the much-loved show to life for 2025 while also marking the centennial “The show is more than ‘just an event’ a celebration of our community,” said Davies According to Western Bay of Plenty Archives the first show was opened by George Vesey Stewart on March 13 at the showgrounds and “was a great day of rejoicing for the whole district” February 2 – has become the 100th show after a few no-show years a number of special events are planned to mark the anniversary Davies said the Equestrian Competition will include Show Hunter Jumping with a top prize of $1200 There will be an International Wrestling Competition thanks to Katikati Wrestling Club Home Industries and Photography Competitions will also nod to the centenary – as will a Time Warp called ‘A Moment in Time’ “Katikati’s Don Wallis is organising the time warp display of vehicles which ‘travel’ through previous years of the show,” said Davies A section focuses on the show’s 1913 beginnings with cars and machinery from that era which will tie in with Western Bay Museum offering early-day activities With the show stopped in the 1940s due to WWII there will be a display of military vehicles and jeeps thanks to Nick Flegg A time warp around 1964 will show hay-baling machinery and cars from this era and centennial luncheon for life and committee members For those who want to enjoy the usual rural fun a Highland Dancing Competition and a Yesteryear-Style Fashion Parade – so get dressed up for the day a Scarecrow Competition and much more will be on offer too,” said Davies “So come along to Uretara Domain from 9am Sunday Katikati Community Centre is appealing to businesses and individuals to support their work Katikati Community Centre is facing the real possibility of having to reduce its services further if it does not secure a new source of income The centre is introducing the Katikati Future Fund which will allow businesses and community members to partner with it to support operation costs While the centre is “not currently in a position where it will have to close”, says general manager Nicky Austin without a direct injection into operational costs they are facing a reduction in size “Along with all charities and not-for-profits in New Zealand at the moment KCC faces significant challenges securing funding to support our services “Many of our grants have been significantly reduced and the loss of our Ministry of Social Development funded community connector service last year has meant that we are having to seriously consider diversifying our funding streams.” The challenge is in operations and wages for staff to support projects building maintenance] is expensive and these things are very difficult to secure funding for.” offers workshops and courses and hosts cultural and recreational events Nicky worries many people who depend on them have nowhere else to go “We have consolidated our services as much as possible but we are in a situation where if we have to cut any further the neediest in our town are going to really suffer.” the centre received funding for its community connector service for three employees to support people during isolation Funding ceased in 2023 but the demand for support continued The centre also runs the Christmas lunch, welcomes the RSE workers and runs a community breakfast The Katikati Future Fund offers 12-month packages for businesses and individuals and families can show support by gifting a one-off payment setting up a monthly payment or by a bequest in their will INFO Contact manager@katikaticommunity.nz -Katikati Advertiser Join Rufous Whistler (AUS) as they celebrate the launch of their highly anticipated debut album RUFOUS WHISTLER “One of Australia’s most compelling new voices in modern folk music…” Countrytown AU.. One of Australia's finest songsters Post to WireAfter debuting at #2 on the ARIA Country charts and being named ABC Country's Feature Album of the Week this is your chance to experience the raw storytelling and electrifying live energy of Rufous Whistler in person.With a sound that blends the rich harmonies of I’m With Her and the electrifying energy of Trampled by Turtles Rufous Whistler’s alt-country melodies will leave you captivated From their roots on Wiradjuri Country (Northeast Victoria the band brings folk and alt-country music that speaks straight to the heart.Don't miss this opportunity to catch Rufous Whistler as they launch National Panic and share their ever-growing catalog with a dedicated and a taste of what’s to come on their extensive 2025 Australia & New Zealand tour.For bookings worldwide: friendlybookings@gmail.comGet ready for an intimate Katikati’s Dave Hume Pool will have a longer swim season better accessibility and more space for swimming lessons when it reopens for the 2025/26 summer season Western Bay of Plenty District Council has announced The main 33.3m pool is being reconfigured to create two pools – a 25m pool and a new 7m learn to swim pool separate learn to swim pool will also be upgraded to meet current pool safety and water standards and a new disability hoist is being added to the main pool to enhance accessibility “By adding a bulkhead to divide up the main pool we will be able to offer more learn to swim programmes which are at capacity each year,” said Council Reserves and Facilities Manager “Learn to swim programmes are vital for building water confidence and ensuring safety in and around water – especially when we live in a District where rivers the harbour and beaches are a part of everyday life By creating more learn to swim space and extending the season we’re creating more opportunities for tamariki to develop these essential skills.” The pools will also be relined with a PVC material and a new safer sand filtration system will be installed Other improvements include heating and insulation in the changing rooms and reception area The improvements will enable the pools to run for an extended season from September through to the end of May each year This follows many years of the Dave Hume Swimming Pool Trust developing the concept of an enclosed pool with a new liner system to reduce painting costs and frequency The roof project to enclose the pool was factored into Council’s 2021-2031 Long Term Plan but due to escalating costs Council agreed in October 2024 to focus their attention on a bulkhead The improvements are being funded through existing budgets from the 2023/24 financial year and Dave Hume Pool Trust funding The Trust will be fundraising for 30% of the upgrade work while Council will fully fund the renewal work pool covers and fixing the existing learn to swim pool “The Dave Hume Pool Trust has played a crucial role in driving this project forward Their commitment and community fundraising efforts have been instrumental in making these upgrades possible,” says Mr Watson “These improvements will help future-proof the facility welcoming and sustainable facility for the next generation of swimmers.” construction will start the week after the swim season closes and will be completed prior to Christmas 2025 (weather and material dependent) Keep up to date with the project as it progresses at yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/dave-hume-pool-improvements Information and Events for the New Zealand Public Service Contact us: newsdesk@insidegovernment.co.nz Katikati’s Park Rd will soon be bustling with tweens and teens as they make their way back to school Katikati College returns on February 5 (for Year 7 and new students) and all students return on February 7 Principal Louise Buckley said this year they expect a roll of more than 800 students “This is up on previous years; the roll last year was at around 780 It is pleasing to see an increase in enrolments from Ōmokoroa as Katikati College is being seen as an alternative to the Tauranga schools “We have worked hard to ensure that the college and staff are seen favourably in the wider community through their wonderful achievements We are incredibly proud of what our students achieve.” The number of international students has also grown and they start the year with 10 overseas students A group of students from Argentina will be joining them for a month and there will be four short-term groups from Japan and China Louise extends a warm welcome to all students “A special welcome goes to those joining our school community for the first time – we are thrilled to have you with us I am looking forward to this year and the opportunity to meet our new students connect with our new families and encourage and support the successes of our young people.” January 28 – school office opens for new enrolments January 30 – 9.30am-2pm NZEA re-enrolment day February 5 – All Year 7 students and new students attend school from 8.30am International student orientation day and Year 13 peer support February 7 – All students to begin school Cloning cauliflower and grafting tomatoes onto potatoes are some of the experiments keeping students hooked into ag classes at Katikati College It has been nearly 18 months since the Grow Hub located on the college grounds in the Western Bay of Plenty opened its doors for those taking part in the school's Innovative Horticulture programme "Nobody in their right mind would clone a cauliflower and it has a fascination factor," Hilary Johnson and it helped having the new well-equipped facility which includes a large classroom in the heart of avocado and kiwifruit country The hub is owned by the Katikati Innovative Horticulture Trust Follow Country Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts Johnson was charged with reinventing the horticulture programme six years ago and has helped drive the building of the $600,000 hub funded by many sponsors in the horticulture sector Horticulture as an NCEA subject has had a bad reputation and had failed to engage students in the past The programme and the Grow Hub aim to spark teens' interest and a possible career in all aspects of horticulture "Horticulture had become a place where students came if they didn't know what to do or couldn't do anything else or were told to It's not an uncommon picture that's happened in a number of schools around New Zealand over time." A wide range of subjects are covered at the Grow Hub including agribusiness Year 12 students Kara McCormick and Millie Lochore are in their second year of the subject and plan to return for a third They have been producing orchids from tissue culture making their own potting mix and using rooting hormones There is a business aspect to their study too as they plan to sell their indoor plants at the local market They tend the orchids in a sterile lab kitted out with heat pads and special lighting said she was keen to end up on the orchard and expected she would be aided by the the knowledge she has gained at the hub and so I learned a lot more knowledge about different kinds of management practices that go into growing kiwifruit." Millie enjoyed visits to organisations like Zespri to understand the career opportunities associated with horticulture "I don't think we really saw an interest in horticulture until we started learning about it and got the knowledge for it A flexible approach to assessment - no deadlines on assignments for example - had also improved students' engagement "We have pitched it as a course where there is an option for everybody from all academic levels We have put in a lot of choice in terms of what students learn harvested and learned the marketing of produce "We get to make stuff in our wonderful kitchen and we've had some students eat full scorpions just for the protein experiments about them." One of the key foundations for the programme and the Grow Hub's success was the many orchardists packhouses and other horticultural operators Another big driver of support from operators had been the shortage of skilled workers "Some of them will pay just about anything to get good skilled workers," she said "We're just trying to catch up with demand." About 60 percent of the students came back each year when previously a large number would give up after Year 11 She was also pleased with the number of students moving into tertiary horticultural or agribusiness studies and a closing of the gap between students we have had no disparity gap between Māori And I think it's that personalised learning that has contributed to that as well." School students are helping turn quake-damaged red zoned land green again at the Climate Action Campus in Ōtautahi/Christchurch Construction of a new 'centre of excellence' for horticulture is expected to begin in Katikati early next year The education hub will be based at Katikati College and will bring together training… Audio agriculture tutor Joe Steventon heads out to high schools around the lower North Island He round up kids and take them out to the countryside to find out what's involved in working the… Audio Country RSS Follow RNZ News The community came together in a huge celebration to acknowledge 100 years of the Katikati A&P Show on Sunday Katikati News’ Rebecca Mauger attended the event and reports on some of the wonderful things she saw The much-loved show has been one of the stand-out events on the local calendar for a century and the committee are proud to say they’ve only cancelled a few in its history – in more recent times that includes during the Covid-19 pandemic and one due to adverse weather conditions There were a few famous faces among the thousands attending The Athenree resident has been in numerous TV series including Shortland Street She MCed and judged the fashion parade – one of the highlights of the show Smith has had a busy year working on acting projects She stars in soon-to-be-released shows including the second season of TVNZ’s murder mystery The Gone The Survivors on Netflix and comedy series Dead Ahead She’s also a celebrant and teaches yoga in Waihī Beach The Katikati A&P activities and things to see were many and included Graeme Hannah from Reptile World who brought along a few of his cold-blooded friends while Bex Tasker thrilled the crowd with a display of sheep agility fast and furious wood-chopping and live music The Western Bay Museum crew came dressed in their best butter-churning outfits There was a huge range of information stalls such as the Prostrate Cancer Foundation and the Tauranga Deaf Society craft markets and numerous food and beverage stalls The home industries hall showcased the best in garden produce and a number of competitions were held for all ages The home industry section originated as a place for women and children to showcase the skills learnt within the home There was an impressive military vehicle display as well as vehicles and new and old farm equipment with classic cars and hot rods gleaming in the hot sun A big part of the day is put on by the equestrian community who travel to participate in the horse flat and show jumping events This year side saddle was a speciality class Sandra Haigh with the oldest Katikati Advertiser edition in the collection from February It’s the end of an era for Katikati Advertiser but its print history lives on at Katikati Library While the long-standing community newspaper has closed bound hard copies dating back to 1973 are available for the public to peruse and take photos by appointment With the closure of the local office at 63 Main Rd earlier this year, community heritage services coordinator Sandra Haigh jumped at the chance to retain the stacks of newspapers which are now under care at Katikati archive room Having a resource like this in the town is enormously beneficial “What we have here is the best form of social history recording you can get The changes that have occurred in the community are so well reflected in the local newspaper that there’s no better way of recording and seeing the shifts and changes over time.” A good example of changing attitudes is the front page advertisement in the oldest edition February 1973 — a bikini-clad model helps to sell a local family-fun and garden party December 19 is the final Katikati Advertiser after the closure of 14 NZME community newspapers. The others newspapers are Hauraki-Coromandel Post, Te Puke Times A spokesperson from NZME said changes in the media landscape “have had a significant impact on community newspaper titles and due to a decline in print advertising revenue and increasing costs — are no longer profitable” NZME is working on the creation of Katikati News and Te Puke News as alternative publications The weekly 16-page publications will be a mix of local editorial They will be distributed within the weekly publication the Weekend Sun Editor Rebecca Mauger and senior media specialist Cade Hughes would like to sincerely thank the community and businesses for all their support throughout the years - and wish all a Merry Christmas and fantastic New Year ● Katikati Advertiser was first published in 1967 as an eight-page monthly publication The paper graduated over the years to fortnightly ● The Advertiser was part of the Bay of Plenty Times publishing group owned by the Gifford and Cross families until sold to Wilson and Horton in 1992 Ownership changed again in 1996 when Independent Newspapers from Dublin acquired a controlling interest in Wilson and Horton ● Katikati Advertiser’s small office was at 14 Main Rd Katikati for many years before moving to 63 Main Rd ● In March 1997 the Advertiser was a finalist in the best all round newspaper in the Community Newspaper Association’s Better Newspapers Competition ● Runner-up in the Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association non-daily free newspaper section in 2002 ● Qantas Media Award 2007 for “best editorial project with significant impact on the community” with its contribution to Operation 24/7 1220 papers were delivered to households in the urban area while contractors delivered a further 1545 papers to rural readers Approximately 120 copies were handed out at the office ● Made TV3 news with 16 photographers taking part in the Katikati ‘99 A Snapshot in Time’ to capture the area at the end of the millennium circulation had risen to 7200 and in 2019 it rose to over 9000 the Katikati Advertiser has a circulation of 11,200 with papers delivered to Katikati A small community is shocked by the death and praying for the surviving child Brody Gilroy says the club is "gutted" at the recent vandalism of the grounds Katikati Cricket Club members have been left “disheartened” by vandalism after vehicles were used to rip the turf to shreds The members now face hours of extra time and expense correcting the damage done last weekend Club president and groundsman Ben Warren said he had arrived on Saturday morning to prepare the grounds which are shared with Katikati Football Club He discovered that “pathetic vandals” had done skids and doughnuts overnight across the entire turf The perpetrators had broken through the bollards at Moore Park It was believed a ute had been involved due to some items left at the scene The game on Saturday was able to go ahead but club members and volunteers spent hours the following day putting down topsoil and levelling the turf Katikati Cricket Club’s Facebook page said the damage would require “considerable time and expense and a huge effort to repair” This unique turf surface only grows during the hot part of the year.” Club treasurer and senior captain Brody Gilroy said everyone was gutted to see the damage “It just feels like you’re trying to do something healthy and productive on a Saturday and also provide a space for the club and the community antisocial behaviour like this that’s kind of frustrating.” The vandalism was “disheartening” due to the considerable time that went into maintaining the turf making it one of the nicest places to play in the Bay of Plenty and other teams notice as well it might just seem like a patch of grass but for a sport or a club The club is offering a reward should the culprits be identified Gilroy urged anyone with information to get in touch via messaging on the Katikati Cricket Club Facebook page Katikati Police were unavailable for comment but were looking into CCTV in the area Katikati Stags took on the Eastern Pirates of Rotorua in a battle of history The Katikati Stags took on the Eastern Pirates of Rotorua in a highly anticipated pre-season clash But this match last Saturday was more than just a pre-season game – it was a battle of history with local Katikati rugby legends Sam and Rollo Dunlop having played pivotal roles in both teams over the years They even led Eastern Pirates to the Baywide Championship in 1996 further cementing the bond between the clubs The two teams were playing for the “Brothers In Arms” trophy a special challenge that symbolises the long-standing friendship and rivalry between them The weather was perfect for a great game of footy and the Pirates arrived to present the trophy at the halfway line where it remained for the duration of the match which was cleanly converted by Joel Madsen,” Landman said “After a series of heavy hits and intense attacking plays the Stags crossed the try line a few more times before the halftime whistle.” stringing together some impressive plays that saw them cross the try line twice He said the Stags weren’t about to let up lineouts and players putting their bodies on the line the Pirates couldn’t overcome the Stags Katikati emerged victorious with an impressive 87-12 win claiming the ‘Brothers In Arms’ trophy to add to their cabinet.” This match was not just about the game – it was also a celebration of the enduring ties between the Dunlop brothers and the Eastern Pirates who became the owner of The Rugby Shop in Rotorua in 1989 was naturally drawn to support the Eastern Pirates he was persuaded to give coaching another shot Dunlop-Fraser said that year proved to be a breakthrough with the Pirates winning the Baywide Premier Competition and seeing players selected for Bay She said the success of that season fostered a deep sense of loyalty and respect among the players many of whom remain prominent figures at the Eastern Pirates Club today The bond created during those years laid the foundation for the “Brothers In Arms” concept—an annual celebration of the long-standing relationship between the two clubs key members of the Pirates’ front row ensuring that the “Brothers In Arms” trophy will continue to be fiercely contested in the years to come were more than happy to be a part of this annual event further strengthening the bond between the two clubs with passionate supporters from both sides and the after-match celebrations were enjoyed by all.” The Stags' coaches were thrilled with their team’s performance Santa Claus at the 2023 Santa’s Christmas Grotto at The Arts Junction in Katikati and the excitement is building in Katikati with the return of Santa’s Christmas Grotto Kicking off with a special event on Friday families are invited to experience the magic of Christmas with an enchanting holiday celebration The Junction Theatre at The Arts Junction will be transformed into a winter wonderland offering a memorable holiday experience for visitors of all ages “Santa’s Christmas Grotto attracts well over a thousand visitors each year,” said Katch Katikati events manager Kylie Watkins “The displays captivate young and old alike and we’re delighted to share this festive experience with our community to close out another wonderful year.” The grand opening will feature an opportunity to meet Santa the grotto will remain open daily through to December 28 Santa himself will make special appearances until Christmas Eve – check out his schedule at The Arts Junction or visit www.katikati.org.nz visitors will be treated to an array of magical displays featuring creative works from local organisations A highlight of the event is Katikati’s Upcycled Christmas Tree Competition for which talented community members have crafted stunning trees from recycled materials Visitors can vote for their favourite tree with cash prizes awarded to the top entries Santa’s Christmas Grotto promises to be a memorable event for all offering an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate the magic of the season with loved ones Event Details: Santa’s Christmas Grotto at The Arts Junction Visit katikati.org.nz for opening hours and Santa’s schedule Jizzy Green in the Grow On Katikati shed beside Katikati Community Centre The price of fresh produce has gone through the roof and many families are struggling to put healthy Alongside foodbank and food rescue services, Grow On Katikati advocates for a resilient community model where a hand-up is extended to those in need showing them how to create their own food supply by growing fresh food in their backyard In only two generations we have lost connection to the land and our food supply It used to be normal to grow some of our own food Food resilience is ensuring people have access to a sufficient supply of safe It’s about empowering communities to produce food locally and reduce reliance on a global food supply chain with a centralised distribution system A packet of seeds can cost only $3 and you could potentially grow 1000 lettuces at 3¢ a lettuce A kilogram of tomatoes can cost $5.49 in the supermarket You could potentially grow 30 tomato plants at 13¢ a plant each producing between 2.5-4kg of tomatoes Simple economics. Growing your own food will save you money. Each dollar you save by bringing food in from the garden is another dollar to spend on other things Are you afraid you don’t know enough about growing especially elderly folk who grow their own food and find out if they can teach you – a connected community is a resilient community your whole street can start swapping and supplying one another’s needs You would be surprised to know how much food can be grown in a converted kiwifruit bin (1m x 1m). Food can be grown vertically too (beans, cucumbers, courgettes, tomatoes and so on) and support one another – think the native American “three sisters” method of growing corn The beans can grow up using the corn for support and then plant squashes at the base to provide shade and reduce moisture evaporation and conserve water Adapt planting to suit your needs and space ● Once a month until January plant one zucchini a few tomatoes and a row of dwarf beans to ensure successive crops squashing pests as you go and pulling weeds to keep everything in check The blossoms are great for feeding pollinators and you can collect seeds for next season ● Protect any summer brassicas from white butterflies with mesh or netting ● Set up frames and stakes for tomatoes and beans before planting the seedlings out to avoid damaging those fragile roots When planting out seedlings make sure they are a decent size Ensure they are strong and have spent a few days acclimatising before planting Grow On Katikati is a community-led organisation that focuses on increasing food resilience in the community They provide resources (seeds and seedlings) skills (workshops) and connect residents to one another and their food It has created a working manual for other communities to replicate the model and increase local food resilience in their area how-to videos and information about the community food resilience manual – Supplied by Grow On Katikati Katikati College 2024 dux Pippa Flett with principal Louise Buckley School days came to an emotional close for Katikati College graduates as they farewelled one another at a poignant senior prizegiving last week Members of the school board, Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor James Denyer Tuapiro and Otawhiwhi Marae and special guests came to celebrate the Year 11-13 senior school ceremony to top off the year to acknowledge student accomplishments and farewell Year 13s PrinciplePrincipal Louise Buckley said the year had been one of reconnection and growth with students stepping into leadership roles embracing challenges and creating memories through academic pursuits She highlighted accomplishments such as supporting younger students with peer mentoring and tutoring volunteering with Surfing for Farmers and Kura Kai and serving as librarians make our school and community a better place,” she says Tupou Pasikala and Atiata Iteraera polish their performances before Katikati College hosts the Pasifika Festival in the Bay on November 2 delicate hand movements and soulful voices.. The performances of many unique island cultures will engulf Katikati College as it hosts the Pasifika Festival in the Bay for the first time this Saturday Nearly 40 Bay of Plenty school groups will perform in traditional costumes representing nations from all over the Pacific – including Tokelau Alongside Pacific market-style stalls packed with authentic foods from the islands will tempt taste buds For Katikati College’s head of faculty for languages and literacy Vetekina Pekipaki the festival has so many benefits – not only for Katikati and BOP students but also the wider community Pekipaki said it provided opportunity for the community to learn about its Pasifika cultures within – and it gives Pasifika people the chance to make connections outside their traditional communities “We are grateful to God for this opportunity to host the festival this year and share our cultures with our communities “It’s great that we can host it so not only our Pasifika cultures can learn about each other but our European and other cultures within Katikati can come and celebrate the day – and get to know our cultures “The other way round is our Pasifika cultures can get to know other cultures as well.” Pekipaki said Katikati College’s kapa haka and Pasifika groups have been hard at work preparing to host an event that allows students showcase their culture and heritage to their peers “This year our Pasifika group – and our kapa haka group – will take part That’s about 70-odd students from Year 7-13 who will be involved,” said Pekipaki some students will perform in both the Pasifika group and kapa haka group.” Pekipaki said the college’s kapa haka group will open the festival “And within that our Pasifika students will take part too – which is great as we’re all about coming together the unity with Māori and the Pasifika connection that we do have.” and the college’s Pasifika students will perform in two categories “Our 20 junior students of Year 7-10 girls and boys will perform a remix of Samoan cultural dances in the Samoan bracket.” “Then our full group will perform the Sasa a powerful performance that both male and female can take part in capturing the rhythm of our daily lives – whether it’s planting It’s very entertaining and the kids love it.” The second bracket of Fijian and Tongan culture would see Pasifika senior boys perform songs they’d been working hard to learn for Fiefia night last Friday “We finish off with a whole-group performance called a Ma’ulu’ulu a Tongan performance and dance – accompanied by singing and drums It’s very traditional – and we have community members perform the drums and sing with us – so it’s very much a community item.” Pekipaki said the college’s students feel “very proud” the festival is hosted by their school happy and they’re proud to be Pasifika and to share their dances their culture and their languages with other people They’re also very proud it’s in Katikati because we do have a strong and big Pasifika community here And it’s great we can have people experience our side of the BOP and see the amazing things that we do Pekipaki said Katikati College will also honour its late teacher Gaylia Bundle at the festival “It’s a difficult time for our staff students and community but we are coming together at Pasifika in the Bay to honour the kind of person she was – kind and always willing to help anyone that needed it..” “Honouring Gaylia at Pasifika in the Bay feels right as she gave so much to our school community and to each one of us and commitment to her work uplifted everyone around her Her presence was a reminder of the power of compassion and dedication values that lie at the heart of our Pasifika spirit reminding us to lift each other up and to be there for one another All are welcome at Pasifika Festival in the Bay at Katikati College this Saturday A possible cooperative grocery store may be on the cards for Katikati Katikati Community Centre and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua who supply up to 200 meals weekly but there is evidence there’s more need out there — possibly up to 300 elderly people “The community is amazing in supporting both Kura Kai and the Katikati Christian Foodbank with food items we feel that this initiative allows more support from the wider community — at the same time offering the community another choice on where to shop locally.” A ‘Katikard system’ would be established to operate like a gift card of three levels — community shopper food bank and Katikati Community Centre/Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua level Feedback is being sought via the survey, which can be found on Katch Katikati Facebook page or complete an online survey here