Katikati

Katikati
Town
SH2 through the centre of Katikati
SH2 through the centre of Katikati
Map
Coordinates: 37°33′S 175°55′E / 37.550°S 175.917°E / -37.550; 175.917
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
WardWaihi Beach/Katikati
CommunityWaihi Beach Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWestern Bay of Plenty District Council
 • Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
Area
 • Territorial9.97 km2 (3.85 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Territorial5,920
 • Density590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
3129

Katikati is a town in New Zealand (North Island) located on the Uretara Stream near a tidal inlet towards the northern end of Tauranga Harbour, 28 kilometres south of Waihi and 40 kilometres northwest of Tauranga. State Highway 2 passes through the town; a bypass scheduled to have begun construction in 2008 is on hold.[3]

Katikati has become known for its many murals painted on walls of commercial buildings. These were started in the 1990s to regenerate tourist interest in the town and district, and led to the town being recognised New Zealand's 'Most Beautiful Small Town' award for towns of less than 8,000 population in 2005 by the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Society.[4]

In 2018, Katikati was named "Avocado Capital of New Zealand [1]. Besides its avocado orchards, there are many kiwi-fruit orchards in and around Katikati.

There are hot springs three kilometres to the south of Katikati at Sapphire Springs.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ NZTA: Katikati Bypass Archived 2013-03-12 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Beautiful Cities and Towns 2005". Keep New Zealand Beautiful Society. Archived from the original on 10 November 2007.
  5. ^ "Katikati Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.