Who we are

Katch Katikati is an Incorporated Society that plays a vital role in promoting the Katikati District and fostering community engagement. With a team of dedicated staff, we hold several key contracts, including our primary one with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC).

Our work focuses on promoting the district, organising community events, and managing the Katikati Visitor Information Centre. Additionally, we oversee the Arts Junction facility, which features a retail space, an art gallery, a cinema/theatre, and meeting rooms.

Since our inception, we’ve aimed to grow our operations and enhance community development, which in turn fuels economic growth—a key goal for us.

At Katch Katikati we pride ourselves on bringing people together for the betterment of the town.

Our Vision: To cultivate an active, creative community where locals love to live and visitors are eager to return
Our Mission: To inspire and support activities that actively engage and strengthen our community

Our team is based in The Arts Junction at 36 Main Rd, Katikati.

OUR STORY:

Katch Katikati was preceded by several business organisations.

Katch Katikati's roots stretch back nearly a century. Since 1937, several business organisations have championed the interests of Katikati's business community, evolving through different forms as the town grew and changed.

In 2006, Katch Katikati was established with a fresh vision: to support local businesses, strengthen community connections, and showcase Katikati as a vibrant destination for both residents and visitors. Under its first Chair, David Gardner, and first Coordinator, Tracey Cossey, the organisation quickly became a driving force for local business promotion and community engagement.

Over the years, Katch Katikati expanded its impact beyond business advocacy. The organisation launched networking events, developed promotional initiatives, revitalised the Katikati & Waihi Beach Excellence Awards, and introduced community programmes such as Kati Chat & Business After Five, helping new residents feel at home.

A major milestone came in 2018 when Katch Katikati transformed the former library building into The Arts Junction. What was once a library became a thriving community hub for arts, culture, theatre, film, exhibitions, and events. Today, it is one of Katikati's most popular gathering places, bringing people together through creativity and connection.

Katch Katikati now manages The Arts Junction, the Visitor Information Centre, community communications, and a wide range of events and projects. Its work includes promoting local businesses, supporting arts and culture, enhancing walkways and cycleways, and delivering some of the region's most-loved events, including the Katikati Jazz Street Party, ECHO Walking Festival, Christmas in the Park, Santa's Grotto, Katikati & Waihi Beach Excellence Awards and the Katikati Festival of Arts.

Funding comes from a service delivery contract with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, along with membership fees, grants from organisations like TECT, Bay Trust, Lotteries, and sponsorships. Katch Katikati has become the driving force behind business promotion, community engagement, and local events, ensuring Katikati remains a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and visit.

Excerpt from Katikati: From First Peoples to the Present Day by Francis Young, Sandra Haigh, Pauline McCowan, Chris Bedford.

Meet the Team

Find out a bit more about energetic team behind Katch Katikati

Jacqui Knight
Katch Katikati Manager

How long have you been part of the team / what year? Since January 2010 (gulp!!)
What do you enjoy most about your job? The People. I am a people pleaser and I love seeing people happy. Also love the events that we offer to the community.
What skills do you bring to the team? Community passion. Trying to look at the bigger picture, relationships, flexibility – mental not physical!
What’s your favourite local spot to visit? Any of the local bush walks in the Kaimais.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Walking, family, reading
Sweet or savoury snacks in the office? Most definitely savoury!

Kylie Watkins
Event Manager

How long have you been part of the team / what year? I joined Katch Katikati in 2020, returned after a short break in 2022, and have loved being part of our community’s events and development work.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Working with passionate people to bring ideas to life. I especially enjoy the Echo Walking Festival and Katikati Trails projects, seeing their positive impact on community wellbeing.
What skills do you bring to the team? Strong project and event management, communication, organisation, and relationship-building skills, with a proactive and results-focused approach.
What’s your favourite local spot to visit? The Kaimai Ranges and Waihi Beach. The bush and ocean are my happy place.
What are your hobbies outside of work? Bush walking, beach days, live music, painting, and spending time with family and friends.
Sweet or savoury snacks in the office? Definitely savoury. Antipasto platters and salt-and-vinegar chips are hard to resist!

Karen Gerrard
Information Centre Coordinator

How long have you been part of the team: February 2023 started as a volunteer.
What do you enjoy most about your job? In the beginning, new to Katikati I got to know what was going on, events, and then met people both locals and visitors.
What skills do you bring to the team? Administration, organisation, do as I do - treat people as you would want to be treated.
What’s your favourite local spot to visit? The walks -the Bird Walk and the Foreshore walkway at the end of Beach Rd
What are your hobbies outside of work? Family time and learning to garden (at my age!)
Sweet or savoury snacks in the office? Sweet

Jo Morrison
Information Centre Coordinator

How long have you been part of the team / what year? I joined up as a volunteer in June 2024 and then was offered my role in March 2025
What do you enjoy most about your job? The wonderful ladies that I work with, the volunteers and the variety. Every day is different.
What skills do you bring to the team? I have a Customer Service Background, which helps immensely as we deal with a wide range of people from all walks of life, both local and international tourists.
What’s your favourite local spot to visit? The Talisman Hotel, great sports bar, restaurant . All the beautiful walks around the town and surrounding areas.
What are your hobbies outside of work? My husband and I travel a lot since we moved from Auckland to Katikati and as we are "empty nesters". Both overseas and around our beautiful country towing our caravan. We get out in the great outdoors for a walk whenever we can.
Sweet or savoury snacks in the office? Both

Sarah Adamson
Marketing & Membership Manager

How long have you been part of the team? Started in November 2025, but feels like years with an awesome bunch of people.
What do you enjoy most about your job? What I love most about my job is the people. From working with local businesses to helping promote events that bring the community together, it’s a role full of energy, creativity, and connection. Seeing ideas turn into real experiences that others enjoy is what makes it all worthwhile.
What skills do you bring to the team? I bring creative thinking, strong visual storytelling, and the ability to transform ideas into eye-catching, effective designs that make an impact for Katikati businesses and the community.
What’s your favourite local spot to visit? I love our native bush and you’ll find me walking the Sentinel Rock Lookout Track up Hot Springs Road, or down at Beach Road in the boat catching Snappers with my family.
What are your hobbies outside of work? I love gardening, being in the garden is a passion, especially when I can give food to family and friends.
Sweet or savoury snacks in the office? Powered by coffee and a steady supply of savoury snacks, I firmly believe no great idea has ever happened on an empty stomach.

Laura Hebbend
Events & Marketing Coordinator, Collaborative Partners with Western Bay Museum, Tamawhariua, Katikati Community Centre and Katch Katikati

How long have you been part of the team: Since march 26
What do you enjoy most about your job? Connection and creating. I absolutely love fusing language, graphics, people and content together for strong visual outputs. I work with some very talented people who have been immersed in this community for a long time. Their passion and commitment to Katikati drives me to do big things, create more magic and help make Katikati the beautiful coastal haven that it is.
What skills do you bring to the team? Content creation, social media, graphic design, copywriting and journalism. I’m a wild unicorn full of marketing and design tools.
What’s your favourite local spot to visit? Debreif Café for Eggs Benedict and a flat white. Followed by taking in the views from the top of Anzac Bay or a spot of fishing out in the Bowentown harbour.
What are your hobbies outside of work? I’m an artist and textile designer so I create a lot in my spare time. Outside of the I love exploring, walks at the beach, 5am starts for fishing, I can’t deny that I’m a huge fan of raffle night at the Waihi Beach RSA. I love music, gigs, nature, cooking and road trips around the bay.
Sweet or savoury snacks in the office? Both! I’ll never have it any other way.