It might have been more than 12 months ago – but Katikati A&P Show Committee has been recognised for delivering a 100th show that brought people, town and country together.

At the 2026 Western Bay Community Awards, on March 20, the 100th Katikati A&P Show won the Community Event Award. The award recognised a community-led event that not only excelled in its planning and delivery but also made a positive impact on the community by creating memorable experiences and strengthening communal ties.

Cherie Marshall enjoying the country fun at the 100th Katikati A&P Show. Photo / Merle Cave

“Celebrated its 100th year, the Katikati A&P Show brought together more than 4000 people to honour the region’s rural heritage with competitions, displays and family entertainment,” the award citation said.

“Entirely run by volunteers, the event showcased everything from equestrian and home industries to vintage vehicles and children’s activities. It’s centenary display created a special ‘time warp’ experience, celebrating traditions from 1912 to today.

“The show strengthened community pride, supported local groups and highlighted the importance of rural culture in Katikati.”

Proud

“We’re just blown away,” said Katikati A&P Show Committee secretary Sheryl Smith.

Committee chair Louellen Davies said the win was ”just fabulous!”

Katikati A&P Show Committee members Dawn Mellow, Sally Goodyear, Maree Clothier, Leonie Alder, Sheryl Smith and Phil Christopherso with the Community Event Award trophy. Photo / Studio Muse - Shal Addis Photographer

“You know you work hard and it’s just rewarding putting on the A&P show for the community – you don’t do it for any accolades," Smith said. “But we are just so proud of winning this award for our 100th show.”

Smith said she was surprised by the win due to their committee being up against very high-class events from the district. “It was lovely for little old Katikati to win the award against tough competition.”

Katikati A&P Show Committee is made up of roughly 12 volunteer members who organise the annual show. On the day their work is brought to life by more than 20 volunteer helpers, who set up the Uretara Domain, man the gates and help with vehicle parking and other logistics. The 100th show attracted more than 4000 people, and 70-plus trade stalls.

However, many would not realise that the committee worked behind the scenes for most of the year to put together the annual show. “We’ve already started organising next year’s show,” Smith said.

The show committee also had to regularly apply for grants and fundraise to finance the show.

Appeal to youngsters

The committee paid for a range of entertainment and activities to appeal youngsters each year because they wanted families to come along and enjoy it, Smith said.

It also offered children aged under-14 free entry to the show annually, to make it an accessible and affordable family event for all in the community.

The brick wall will be back for kids to enjoy at the 100th Katikati A&P Show. Photo / Merle Cave

“We want families to come along and enjoy it,” Smith told Katikati News ahead of February’s 101st show. “We want the show to keep making a positive impact on the community by creating memorable experiences and strengthening communal ties.”

Smith believed the shows were growing and were offering a larger and better quality range of quality stalls and attractions as the years went on. “And a lot of the improvements are thanks to the volunteers behind the scenes.”

An NZ first

Another winner from the Katikati News area was Live Well Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services, which together won the Best Collaboration Award.

The Best Collaboration Award recognised community organisations and/or individuals who’d joined forces to achieve a common goal, creating a positive change or trying a new initiative. The award also celebrated the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change and creating lasting impact.

“Live Well Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services were working side by side to make Waihī Beach the most accessible beach in Aotearoa,” said the award citation.

Dignity, independence, safety

“After successfully fundraising for beach mats and wheelchairs, they are now creating a fully accessible changing room with specialist equipment – a first for any New Zealand beach within 50 metres of the shoreline.

True accessibility

“Their partnership improves dignity, independence, and safety for people with mobility challenges while supporting lifeguards in their essential work. This community-driven project is reshaping what true accessibility can look like.”

Live Well Waihī Beach community coordinator Cindy Clare said the award was a testament to her organisation’s commitment to creating an inclusive community – “one where everyone can participate and enjoy our beautiful outdoors”.

: Craig McQuoid, Cindy Clare, Kelvin Blackwell, Donna Pfefferle, Pippa Coombes, Ross Goudie, Doug Longdill, Ryan Tesselaar and Jake McDell from Live Well Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services at the awards night. Photo / Studio Muse - Shal Addis Photographer

“It means that people who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges can now enjoy a full beach experience with independence and dignity,” Clare said.

Waihī Beach resident Dave MacCalman said from the outset, the people involved in this project truly understood the brief.

Collective effort

“It came to life through a collective effort – with people from a wide range of expertise working together to make sure the space was both functional and achievable within budget.

“From the lifeguard club management to our local physio with disability experience, to the tradies who generously donated their services – this is a powerful example of community-led development driven by a shared vision," MacCalman said.

Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services board chair Donna Pfefferle said being recognised by the Western Bay Community Awards reinforced the possibility of what can be achieved when groups came together to build community resilience.

Dave MacCalman, Emmet Schaare and Dame Catriona Williams open the Accessible Changing Facility at Waihī Beach. Photo / Supplied

“The accessible change room project is improving access and inclusion for beachgoers, but at the same time the newly developed space alongside the club’s first aid room also provides a stronger set-up for surf lifeguards managing major first aid incidents and more complex situations.”

Care deeply

TECT chairman Mark Arundel said the awards celebrated people who quietly and consistently stepped up for their communities.

“These awards are about people who care deeply about their community and take action to make things better,” Arundel said.

“The 2026 winners show what’s possible when passion, generosity and commitment come together. Their impact reaches far beyond their own organisations and into the lives of countless people across the Western Bay.”

A full list of award winners is at: www.tect.org.nz/community-awards-2026