Katikati News - 20 March 2026

20 March, 2026

Hook into it kids!

Aongatete youngster Makaira Adamson, pictured, is both a keen hunter and fisher – but hunting possums is her favourite “I like going in the ATV and spotting the glowing eyes in the dark with my dad ”

She’ll be among more than 150 kids

next week who will take part in the Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29

In its second year, the competition –organised by her parents Scott and Sarah Adamson and a committee of volunteers – this year will offer a bounty of up to

$20,000 worth of prizes The major prize is an inflatable boat with a 3 5hp outboard motor worth $2300

This year the committee had opened entries up to age 15 years old, up from last year ’ s maximum age of 13 – and the first 200 children registered would

receive goodies bags on signing in “We want to see as many kids from the district as possible to register – they can enter right up to the competition or just turn up on the day to sign up, ” said Sarah Read more on page 3

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A day out for Western Bay dogs next weekend

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s 202252026 Wander Walk series will finish with a Dooggy Day Out at Ōmokoroa Sportgrounds next Satuurday, March 28.

Dogs and their owners are invited to the free-entry event from 10am-2pm, with fun lined up p for the whole family There will be an Amateur Aggility Competition and Sniff & Seek Arena. Western n Bay of Plenty’s former dog guru Betty Hall will be back in town to talk about ‘Harmony in the Home’ when it comes to dogs. Katikati animal trainer Bex T Tasker of Positively Together will offer training tips foor four-legged friends There will be food and dogggy stalls and a dress-up Woofstock Competition For the kids there will be face painting, a photo boooth, and arts and crafts Find out more about the evvent at: westernbay.govt.nz/wanderdogs

Free movie night for youth!

Katikati Community Led Development group is hosting another free movie night next Friday, March 27, thanks to support from Angela Fowler at Bower Real Estate Katikati.

A screening of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants will begin 4pm on March 27 at The Arts Junction theatre. Katikati youth and their parents and caregivers are welcome – but with limited seats those keen need to register phoning or texting: 021 054 3310 or email: leticia@katikaticld.nz

Free admission would include a drink and popcorn. The movie is rated PG (Parental Guidance), which means the content is unrestricted and suitable for all ages, but parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers, as it may contain scenes that are scary or unsuitable for young children. All

Western Bay council’s former animal services officer Betty Hall, who retired from a 35-year career in 2024, will be back for 2026’s Doggy Day Out.

children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver

Open day at Ōmokoroa Resource Collective

On Monday, March 23, at 10.30am Ōmokoroa’s Resource Collective is opening its doors to invites members of the district’s disability community and their families to come and experience what they do

The Open Day from 10.30am-1pm would offer the chance to meet the Ōmokoroa Resource Collective team, explore the centre and take part in a simple hands-on gardening activity – to give a small taste of its weekly programmes. A light lunch will be shared afterwards

The open day at the Resource Collective at 7A Prole Rd is limited to 10 families RSVP at: shelley@resourcecollective.co.nz

Sign up to walk for Waipuna

Western Bay of Plenty residents are being encouraged to sign up to walk 100km in 30 days to raise funds to provide free palliative care services to those facing life-limiting illnesses and their families

Walk for Waipuna is designed to be accessible – averaging about 3km a day, making it a great way for people of all fitness levels to show their support.

The annual Waipuna Hospice fundraiser asked people to sign up ahead of April, and during that month walk 100km, at your own pace and place.

Once signed up, walkers can set up a fundraising page they can share with colleagues, family, friends and their neighbourhood to get people to support their efforts and raise funds for Waipuna Hospice. To sign up, visit: https:// walkforwaipuna.raiselysite.com

Kids’ hunting and fishing comp set to be a cracker

Aongatete youngster Makaira Adamson can ’ t wait for next weekend to arrive.

She’s been watching her parents Scott and Sarah Adamson accumulate a massive prize pool – worth up to $20,000 – for this year ’ s Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29.

But the five-year-old – who was born into the hunting and fishing-mad family – will have more competition than last year as the second annual competition had already surpassed 2025’s entrant tally of 150 kids with a week until it begins.

“Last year we had 153 kids enter and we ’ ve passed that now, ” said the Adamsons, who were again organising the event with a committee and a bunch of parents.

“We want to see as many kids from the district as possible to register – they can enter right up to the competition or just turn up on the day to sign up, ” said Sarah.

This year ’ s major prize had just been revealed – an inflatable boat with a 3.5hp outboard motor (RRP$2300). Plus,

there’s a bunch of other huge spot prizes bikes, scooters, stand-up paddleboards, fishing rods and more to win

This year the committee had opened entries up to age 15 years old, up from last year ’ s maximum age of 13 – and the first 200 children registered would receive goodies bags.

This year kids to turn up on Friday, March 27, from 3.30pm-6pm to the competition headquarters at 2697 State Highway 2 – to sign in.

“The first 200 kids registered will receive a goodie bag – then it’s time to get out there hunting and fishing until midday Sunday, March 29.”

Hunting categories would include possums, rabbits, hares and magpies, while young fisher-people could catch and enter snapper, kahawai, trevally, Kingfish, spotty and piper

“The only category we ’ ve changed is we ’ ve added a prize for the most possums caught – because we want to encourage eradication of pests in the district,” said Sarah.

Scott said he was happy with the number of kids registered so far for 2026 – but he still wanted to see more families

Makaira Adamson with some of the nearly $20,000 bounty of prizes to win in the Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29. Photo/ Merle Cave

to get involved. “It’s good to see there is such a strong backing behind hunting and fishing in the district and the sports are growing.

“But I would quietly like it to become the biggest kids’ competition in the country – because we want to see more of the next generation getting into the outdoors, learning and enjoying fishing and hunting ”

The committee had left the entry fee at $15 per child to make it affordable for families.

Children can hunt and fish right up until midday March 29 with prizegiving to be held at 4pm at 2697 State Highway 2.

Sarah said the prizegiving will be much the same as last year “We will have a range of entertainment on offer including Jen’s face painting, the balloon guy etc and food to purchase

“Kids in the competition will receive a free sausage sizzle, thanks to sponsor Katikati Meat Masters ”

The committee had also put together four huge raffles – family, beauty, treats and 4m3 – which they would sell tickets to right up to prizegiving.

To register children in this year ’ s Katikati-based Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition on March 27-29 email: kidshuntingandfishingcomp@gmail.com Or see their Facebook page.

New Western Bay ofPlentyproperty valuationson way to landowners

Western Bay property owners are this month receiving updated information about the value of their properties

The latest rating valuations have been completed by Quotable Value (QV) on behalf of Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and were sent out by email and post.

Updated rating valuations had prepared for all 26,104 properties in the Western Bay, resulting in a total rateable value for the district of $42.76 billion – a 2% decrease since the last revaluation on September 1, 2022.

Land value across the district totalled $21.78b, representing a fall of 8.5% across the three years.

“Overall, the latest revaluation reflects a general softening in property values across much of the district, with stronger growth in high-demand areas, particularly the Rangiuru Business Park, which has seen significant development since the previous revaluation,” said the council’s corporate services acting general manager Matt Potton

Every council in New Zealand is required to carry out a revaluation at least every three years so rates can be accurately and fairly calculated All rating valuations are independently audited by the Office of the Valuer-General

before being finalised.

They reflect the likely selling price of a property, excluding chattels, at the effective revaluation date – in this case, August 1, 2025.

Market movements after this date were not included in the new rating valuations, and they were not intended for other purposes, such as securing finances or determining replacement value. Revaluations didn’t necessarily mean a rise or fall in rates, Potton said. It depended on how your property ’ s value changed compared with everyone else’s.

“We won ’ t know for sure what impact the revaluations will have on rates until we know what the rating requirement is for the 2026/2027 year, ” he said.

“This will be set through our annual planning process, which will be finalised in June. This is then divided across all ratepayers, and the value of your property is only one of the elements used to work out the amount of rates you pay, ” he said. “Usually, only properties with an aboveaverage valuation movement will pay higher rates. A below-average movement may mean you pay less.”

QV Upper North Island regional manager Joe Holmes said the Western Bay of Plenty is no exception to the general market trends observed across the wider BOP and Waikato regions. “Well-presented, modern homes continue

Merle Cave

to attract stronger inquiry and maintain value more effectively than the wider market, whereas older or less well-maintained properties are generally recording more pronounced value declines,” he said.

“We are observing stronger inquiry for smaller, elevated and well-located lifestyle properties that offer manageable land areas, good access and realistic commuting distances to Tauranga and surrounding employment centres. In contrast, larger holdings or properties requiring significant capital investment are attracting more limited interest.”

Commercial capital values had seen little change, while good-quality, well-located industrial property continued to see solid inquiry, said Holmes.

Further information on the revaluation process and how to make an objection can be found on council’s property revaluation webpage: www.westernbay.govt.nz/revaluation, or people can pick up a rating revaluation brochure from one of its library or service centres.

Objections to the revised valuations can be lodged online at www.qv.co.nz/services/rating-valuations/object-rating/ or in writing no later than April 24

Or phone QV on 0800 787 284 to request a form. More information about understanding rating values can be found at: qv.co.nz/about/about-rating-valuations

Scarecrow contest and safari build sustainability

Two recent community events brought people together through creativity, learning, and a shared love of gardening, with organiser Grow On Katikati hailing their success.

Grow On Katikati’s coordinator support Diana Donker said their scarecrowcreating workshop and competition took place on February 14.

“It was a great success, with 32 participants creating 12 imaginative scarecrows made entirely from recycled and reused materials.

“The event attracted a wide range of participants, with many families working

together to build their unique backyard artworks,” Donker said Due to poor weather, the workshop was relocated indoors at short notice.

“Fortunately, the Katikati Community Centre generously provided a large space, allowing the event to go ahead ”

Donker said participants thought the best part of the workshop was the opportunity to spend creative time together

“One attendee said, ‘I really enjoyed having time with the kids to create something together’. Another commented on the joy of ‘seeing the amazing creations at the end’ while a third noted, ‘Everyone having fun, being creative, and watching

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everybody’s scarecrow come together – a great morning’ ”

Two weekends later, Grow On Katikati hosted the Edible Backyard Safari on March 1, which took 34 participants on a road trip to five inspiring rural gardens D nker

Donker said each garden host shared their personal gardening journey along with practical hints and tips for making the most of home gardens.

“It was a day full of discovery, connection, and inspiration for those who attended. Participants had the chance to see a wide range of gardening styles and learn directly from passionate local growers ” Feedback from the event was

overwhelmingly positive, Donker said “One participant said the experience continued to inspire them long after the day itself: ‘I am continuing to thrive on the experience of the Grow On Safari I started by implementing just one bit ‘given’ garden

of inspiration given from each garden. Again, thank you to everyone who was so generous in making it such a wonderful day’.”

Donker said together the two events “highlighted the power of community initiatives that brought people together to share skills, creativity, and a passion for growing food”.

Find out more about Grow On Katikati at: www.growonkatikati.com

Grandmother backs accused dog owner

A grandmother says she will stand up in court to support the person accused of owning a dog that killed her 4-year-old grandson.

Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan also known as Timoti, was fatally injured in a dog attack on March 28, 2024, at a property in Tuapiro, Katikati.

Following the attack, three dogs were seized and euthanised by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

This month police announced they had charged a 35-year-old woman in relation to the incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew Brown said the woman had been charged with owning a dog that caused the death of a person, and called to appear in the New Plymouth District Court on March 16

“Timothy’s family have been notified of this outcome Our thoughts remain with them, and we continue to offer them the necessary support, ” Flowerdew Brown said

The development came the day before what would have been Timoti’s 5th birthday

Timoti’s grandmother and guardian

Amy Rolleston said she first heard of the charge when the accused woman phoned her at 11 50am on March 9

She said Flowerdew-Brown called about an hour later

Rolleston said she believed she

Amy Rolleston, the grandmother of 4-yearold Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan, killed in a dog attack in Katikati on March 28, 2025.

should have been told at the same time as the dog owner

“It’s really upsetting to be told she has been charged, especially the day before what would have been my grandson’s fifth birthday

“We had told the police we did not want the dogs’ owner charged ”

She said she also told FlowerdewBrown she intended to stand up in court in support of the woman

Rolleston said the tragedy already weighed heavily on them and everyone else involved

She said the news of the charge left her and her husband “reeling”.

“I broke down [on Monday] when I was told, and [on Tuesday] we planned to have a little party with Timoti’s cousins, but we cancelled it because everyone is too upset and not in the mood for a party

“It feels like we are all being made

to relive what happened that day –the healing process has barely begun ”

Rolleston said she wanted the court appearance moved to the Tauranga District Court so both families and their supporters could attend NZME asked police to respond to Rolleston’s comments

In a written statement, Western Bay of Plenty Police area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said, when making charging decisions, police considered the prosecutorial guidelines, ensuring they had sufficient evidence

They also looked at “whether a prosecution is in the public interest”. Paxton said police must take the privacy of all persons into account when advising that a prosecution will take place “As the matter is before the courts, police are unable to comment further”

Sandra Conchie

KATIKATI

After nearly a year, Katikati’s most iconic sculpture is about to be repaired and returned to his ‘home’ on Main St.

Katikati Open Air Art stated this week that original sculptor of Barry, Donald Paterson, who lives in the South Island, is on his way to town to repair the sculpture which was hit by a vehicle on Main St on April 27, 2025

This saw Katikati Open Air Art committee member Steve Graveson remove Barry, the Relaxed Typical Kiwi Bloke, from his chair outside the Arts Junction at 36 Main Rd soon after

KOAA said that “after a mountain of paperwork, blood, sweat and oh so many tears ” they were happy to announce Paterson would arrive in Katikati on March 19 to begin repairs.

“Barry finally gets the surgery he needs, as you know the health system is not what it used to be and one has to wait a long time to get seen!!!” said the KOOA Facebook page.

The organisation thankeed the community for missing Barry: “…Thank you for caring and thank you for being the amazing art lovers that you are”. ‘Barry’ about to be repaired!

Enjoy a restoration ramble

A Restoration Ramble at l’Anson Bush Reserve in Te Puna is happening next Friday, March 27 from 10am. The event, which is part of the Echo Walking Festival and Envirohob BOP’s Sustainable Backyard Month, will be a guided walk through the reserve located at 79 Armstrong Rd.

Led by an expert from Forest & Bird, the walk will explore the transformation of the reserve from pastureland to thriving native bush, complete with a small lake formed by damming the Waikaraka Stream. A donation for participation will be appreciated Register at: https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events

10.15am - Noon Caitriona Fallon 12 30pm-2 15pm Jeff Barker Trio Cherry Court 10am-11.45am Iara Band 12 15pm-2pm Iara Band Western Bay Museum 9 45am-11 30am La Tina Trio Noon-1.45pm Ceviche Jam