Robotic Lawnmower Races to Raise Funds for Fire Brigade

Action Equipment Katikati is turning one of its quirkiest products into a community fundraiser, hosting an Automower Demonstration Day on 17 May to raise money for the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade. Branch manager Mel Smyth came up with the idea after realising most people have never seen a robotic lawnmower in action — and that watching them is genuinely entertaining. Children will be able to use remote controls to race the autonomous machines around a cone course, while a Husqvarna automower will also be quietly mowing a section of the site under generator power to showcase what the machines can do.

Firefighters will man the barbecue for a sausage sizzle, with all proceeds heading to the brigade. The event also features face painting, a coffee cart, a doughnut food truck, and a fire truck with water demonstrations on the day. The event runs from 9am to 3pm at the corner of Earl Drive and Main Street, Katikati — directly across the road from the Action Equipment store.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).