Katikati Festival of Cultures back next month

Katikati will host a 2021 edition of the Festival of Cultures and while on a smaller scale don’t expect any less cultural colour or vibrancy.

The biennial event will now be held on Saturday 26 June at the Katikati War Memorial Hall and The Centre - Pātuki Manawa from 10am featuring vibrant cultural performances and food and craft stalls from more than 20 ethnicities.

The revised date comes after the Festival of Cultures committee was forced to cancel the event in March due to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions.

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says while next month’s festival will be on a smaller scale, with no street parade, it was important to host a festival and build on the success of the inaugural festival in 2019.

“At Council we’re committed to promoting a feeling of community and inclusion and celebrate all the unique cultures there are across the District.

“The inaugural 2019 festival was a vibrant spectacle and so I encourage everyone of all ethnicities to attend and help make this a big celebration.”

If you are a cultural group who would like to perform on stage or if you’re a food stall holder who specialises in authentic traditional foods and wish to be a part of the festival please email events@westernbay.govt.nz.

The Festival is supported by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, under the umbrella of Welcoming Communities, with many organisations involved, including Katch Katikati, Katikati Community Centre, Te Rereatukahia Marae, Katikati Indian Association, Katikati Taiao and community volunteers.

It is funded by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, the Ethnic Communities Development Fund, BayTrust, TECT Community Development, Katikati Lions and Hume Pack N Cool.