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Katikati possesses many special attractions

Katikati possesses many special attractions. It is a level plateau about 20 miles in length, bounded on the one side by the Tauranga harbour; on the west It is sheltered by forest clad hills, of which, to my personal knowledge, a good proportion is auriferous, is admirably adapted for fruit growing, and especially oranges and lemons. In summer time the sea breeze starts at about 9 am, the wind veering to the west in the evening, contributing to the salubrity of the district. We enjoy all the amenities of civilisation, including those of religion and education by a happy hospitable community.'
This may sound a little like a tourist blurb, and in a way it was, written by the man many consider to be the founder of Katikati, George Vesey Stewart, and delivered at his farewell address at Martray on July 2 1919. He went on to say:

'The work of special settlement inaugurated in 1874, in which I first entered from a love for adventure, was actuated by an honest desire to better the condition of my fellow man. I feel , from my personal knowledge, I have in many cases succeeded in effecting this. My earnest hope and belief is that the present prosperity of Katikati and her people will continue.'

George Vesey Stewart founded Katikati after having first visited New Zealand. He decided Katikati was the ideal site, and in 1875 brought out from Ireland the first party of 238 settlers on the ship Carisbrook Castle. Over a period of some 44 years Vesey Stewart held many public positions including that of the first elected Mayor of Tauranga. George Vesey Stewart died in 1920, aged 87.

While many of the groves of citrus described by Vesey Stewart have made way for other horticultural enterprises, Katikati itself remains a special town which continues to encourage a diversity of people and lifestyle pursuits, and which prospers still, continuing to be a 'happy hospitable community'.

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