NZ Schools Boom: $62M for South Island Classrooms
The New Zealand government is investing $62 million to build new classrooms across the South Island, including a brand-new primary school in Lincoln.
New ERO Chief Executive to Strengthen NZ Schools
David Ferguson has been appointed Chief Executive of the Education Review Office, bringing fresh leadership to NZ's school review system.
Matahui School boy cuts hair after three years to support breast cancer trust
Nine-year-old Gaige Aitchison-Budd grew his hair for three years to donate to hair-loss sufferers, inspiring a school-wide breast cancer fundraiser at Mata
Katikati students proud to share whānau war stories at Anzac service
Katikati College head students Coby Taylor and Mitchell Preston honoured whānau war legacies at the town's Anzac Day dawn service on 25 April 2026.
Jack Smith: The teen who nailed The Last Post at Katikati's Dawn Service
Katikati College student Jack Smith played a flawless Last Post at the town's 2026 Anzac Dawn Service, stepping in for the regular bugler.
Western Bay libraries offer free school holiday activities for whānau
Western Bay libraries are offering free school holiday fun including craft sessions, colouring competitions, Take & Make Kits and scavenger hunts for tamar
Ōmokoroa 'have-a-go' try-athlon opens to young tamariki
Pahoiā School's popular 'have-a-go try-athlon' returns to Ōmokoroa Domain on 21 March 2026, welcoming tamariki aged 5–13 from across the Bay of Plenty.
Matahui School Fun Fair to fund forest learning programme
Matahui School hosts a Community Fun Fair on 28 February to raise funds for its outdoor forest learning programme and literacy resources.
Katikati Primary School seeks part-time assistant caretaker
Katikati Primary School is looking for a part-time assistant caretaker for 16 hours a week – applications close 9 March 2026.
Matahui School community fair offers family fun on 28 February
Matahui School hosts a Community Fair on 28 February from midday to 3pm, featuring laser tag, face painting, food trucks, market stalls and family activiti
Police urge road care as Katikati schools return for 2026
Katikati police are urging drivers to watch out for children walking and cycling to school as classes resume for 2026, with the primary school back this we
Katikati Primary School seeks te reo Māori-proficient kaiawhina
Katikati Primary School is seeking a te reo Māori-proficient kaiawhina. Applications close 19 February — hours are negotiable.
Katikati College Students Cook Alongside Chelsea Winter at AvoFest
Eight Katikati College students work as sous-chefs alongside Chelsea Winter at AvoFest 2026, gaining real-world hospitality experience at Uretara Domain.
Free Antenatal Classes Starting at Katikati Community Centre
Katikati Community Centre is offering free antenatal classes from 20 January, covering pregnancy, labour and postpartum for new and expecting parents.
Western Bay Libraries Bring Nature-Themed Summer Holiday Programme
Western Bay of Plenty libraries launch a Te Taiao-themed summer holiday programme with reading challenges, craft mornings and competitions for tamariki.
Katikati College Students Proud of New Logo and House System
Katikati College students who helped design the school's new logo, motifs and house system say the changes better reflect their school and its community.
Katikati College Unveils New Tohu and Revamped House System
Katikati College has launched a new tohu and four environment-inspired houses after two years of community consultation, replacing symbols dating to 1955.
Arts Junction Transforms Into Festive Hub for Christmas 2025
Katikati's Arts Junction hosts Christmas in the Junction from 15–28 December, featuring Santa visits, movies, kids' shows, and festive displays.
Robin's Nest Tamariki Evacuated During Katikati Lockdown
Robin's Nest early childhood centre in Katikati was evacuated during a police lockdown, with tamariki and staff sheltering at Katikati College until the al
Variety Concert to Fundraise for Hannah's Globe Theatre London Trip
A Variety Concert at Katikati College on 29 November will fundraise for student Hannah Gourlay's trip to perform at London's Globe Theatre.
Katikati Teen Wins Place on Globe Theatre London Tour
Katikati College head girl Hannah Gourlay is fundraising $12,600 to tour London with the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company in July 2026.
Te Rereatukahia Kōhanga Reo to Hold AGM in Late October
Te Rereatukahia Kōhanga Reo will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 29 October 2025 at 4pm. Contact Josse Samuels on (07) 549 0534.
Katikati Basketball Club Eyes Comeback After Decade Away
Katikati residents Sheanna Chadwick and Maddy Kilford are reviving the town's basketball club with free and low-cost weekly sessions at Katikati College.
Katikati Sea Scouts Host Popular Zone Pinewood Derby
About 200 whānau turned out for the Western Bay of Plenty Zone Pinewood Derby hosted by Katikati Sea Scouts on 11 October, with 120 cars racing for nationa
Katikati Primary celebrates books with character parade
Katikati Primary School's annual Book Character Parade brought the whole kura together to celebrate reading during Book Week in August 2025.
Katikati Mainly Music turns 22 with a community birthday party
Katikati Mainly Music celebrates its 22nd birthday this Saturday with a community party, marking 35 years of the programme worldwide since its 1990 foundin
Education Minister Visits Katikati College's GrowHub
Education Minister Erica Stanford visited Katikati College's GrowHub facility, meeting students and praising industry-school partnerships in vocational edu
Katikati College Student Heads to Youth Parliament as Press Gallery Member
Katikati College Year 12 student Kyla Allen-Boyd attended Youth Parliament 2025 as a Youth Press Gallery member, reporting on sport and recreation.
Young Western Bay Students Unveil Mural Project at The Arts Junction
Eleven Western Bay of Plenty primary school students have unveiled two new murals at The Arts Junction in Katikati, created around the theme 'What makes yo
Pongakawa School Quiz Night Raises $60,000 for School Improvements
Pongakawa School's 'Once Upon a Legend' quiz night raises $60,000 for school maintenance and outdoor improvements in Te Puke.
Katikati Students Become Kaitiaki of Their School Gully
Katikati Primary students are learning kaitiakitanga firsthand, weeding pest plants and installing ruru boxes in their school gully Te Awaawa.
Ruru Nesting Boxes Installed at Katikati School Gully in Community Drive
Katikati Primary students are becoming kaitiaki of their school gully, with a ruru nesting box installed as part of a community-led native habitat restorat
Katikati College Seeks Homestay Families for International Students
Katikati College is looking for homestay families to host international students. Various arrangements available — email the school for an info pack today.
Matahui School Fights for Survival After Charter Bid Declined
Matahui School near Katikati is fighting to stay open after its charter school application was declined, with donations keeping it afloat for now.
Katikati Primary School Students Take On Cross Country at Moore Park
Katikati Primary School's 470 students took part in a lively cross country event at Moore Park, with Year 0 to 6 pupils competing on 13 May.
Katikati Youth Darts Club Launches This School Term
Natalie Dercksen has launched the Katikati Youth Darts Club for Year 7–13 students, meeting Tuesdays from 3.30pm at the Katikati Rugby Club this Term 2.
Katikati Marks Anzac Day with Dawn Service at War Memorial Hall
Katikati's Anzac Day dawn service drew hundreds to the War Memorial Hall, with poignant tributes marking 110 years since the Gallipoli landing.
Katikati College Head Students Share Personal Anzac Stories at Dawn Service
Katikati College head students honoured family and national sacrifice at the Anzac dawn service, sharing the story of a 28th Māori Battalion soldier.
Katikati Primary Students Raise Funds with Colour Fun Run
Katikati Primary's first Colour Fun Run Day saw 500 students tackle a wild obstacle course on the last day of Term 1, raising funds for the school.
Katikati Primary School Colour Fun Run Raises Over $13,000
Katikati Primary School's colour fun run raised over $13,000 for the school after the fundraising company's cut, with Room 3 student Quinn Arrow topping in
Dave Hume Pool Katikati Set for Major Upgrades Ahead of 2025/26 Season
Katikati's Dave Hume Pool will reopen for 2025/26 with a new learn-to-swim pool, disability hoist, extended season and a range of facility upgrades.
Western Bay Museum offers free school holiday fun in Katikati
Western Bay Museum in Katikati offers free school holiday exhibits on environment, Māori taonga, marine life and ocean pollution — open seven days a week.
Katikati Students Build Public Speaking Confidence with iSpeak Trust
Katikati College senior students gained public speaking confidence through an iSpeak Trust course funded by the Wright Family Foundation.
Katikati Primary School Seeks Experienced Office Administrator
Katikati Primary School is advertising for an experienced office administrator to join its team, with applications closing 23 April 2025.
Katikati Toy Library Launches Minikidi Play Sessions for Preschoolers
Katikati Toy Library has launched Minikidi, a new weekly play programme for preschoolers and babies, backed by $14,000 of brand-new equipment.
Katikati Toy Library Thanks Community for Carpet Support
Katikati Community Toy Library thanks generous locals who rallied to replace carpet after a $7000 deposit was lost when their supplier went into liquidatio
Katikati Student Wins $6000 BOP Education Trust Scholarship
Katikati College graduate Kyra Murray has received a $6000 BOP Education Trust scholarship to study biomedical science at Victoria University.
Student Pancake Thursday Returns to Katikati
Student Pancake Thursday is back at St Peter's Anglican Church in Katikati, feeding up to 400 students each Thursday morning from 13 February 2025.
Katikati Primary School Seeks Sponsor to Save Breakfast and Lunch Programmes
Katikati Primary School urgently needs a new sponsor to continue its breakfast club and lunch pack programmes after losing previous funding support.
Katikati College expects roll of over 800 students in 2025
Katikati College is set for its biggest roll yet in 2025, with over 800 students expected and growing interest from Ōmokoroa families and international lea