The Back
Story
A community came together to give Katikati a new direction through art.
In the late 1990s, Katikati was facing difficult economic times. Kiwifruit growers had endured several years of low returns, the dairy industry was experiencing a downturn, and the 1988 share market crash had affected local orchards and businesses.
A proposed state highway bypass added further concern for local businesses. Rather than accept an uncertain future, people from across the community came together to find a way to revitalise the town centre.
They wanted a project that would involve and benefit the community while reflecting who the people of Katikati were, where they had come from and what made the area unique.
Inspired by a
Town Transformed
Through Art
The idea for Katikati’s mural project was inspired by Chemainus, a small town on Vancouver Island in Canada that had faced a similar period of decline.
A group of local volunteers were inspired by the way Chemainus had used murals to celebrate its history, culture and community. They saw an opportunity to create something similar in Katikati — a project that could bring people together, celebrate the town’s story and give visitors another reason to stop and explore.
The People Behind the Vision
Meet the people who helped turn a creative vision into reality.
JUNE
CARLTON
Project Manager & Driving Force
Katikati was fortunate to have an inspiring motivator in June Carlton, a local art teacher at the college. She became the project manager and one of the main driving forces behind the vision of making Katikati New Zealand’s Mural Town.
Alongside a group of passionate local volunteers, June helped turn an ambitious idea into a community project that would continue to shape Katikati for decades.
A Community Vision
The project was built around the belief that art could bring people together, celebrate local identity and create a stronger future for Katikati.
The
First Mural
The first step in Katikati’s journey to becoming a Mural Town.
Waitekohe School
The first mural was produced in 1990, marking the beginning of what would become Katikati’s distinctive outdoor art collection.
The artworks continued to appear throughout the town, with 21 works completed by the end of 1996 and more already in the pipeline.
What began as a community response to a difficult period had become an evolving artistic expression of Katikati’s people, history and place.
From Vision to
Mural Town
The project continued to grow as more artworks were created and the community came together to celebrate its progress.
1990
The First Mural
Waitekohe School becomes the first mural produced as part of the project.
1996
A Growing Collection
By the end of 1996, 21 artworks had been completed, with more projects in development.
1996
Mural Town Magic
Katikati celebrated its first Mural Town Magic festival, marking five years of projects.
Today
The Story Continues
The festival tradition has continued through the week-long biennial NZ Mural Contest & Art Festival, bringing together different forms of art and community groups.
More Than
Murals
The vision was never simply about painting walls. The project was created to involve and benefit the community while reflecting Katikati’s identity, heritage and surroundings.
The murals provide a visual record of the people, places, stories and influences that have helped shape the town. They have become part of Katikati’s character and an important part of how the community shares its story with visitors.
