Katikati

Katikati was built on land confiscated from local Maori after the 1863 land wars and given to Irish Protestant settlers by the Central Government. But before being settled in the 1870s, Maori had long recognized the area's potential for growing food crops. These days, fruit growing—particularly kiwifruit and avocado—keeps the Katikati economy afloat, perhaps providing one (of many) explanations for Katikati's name, "to nibble" in Maori. Katikati's most noticeable features are the 42 murals around town and good antiques stores. Another unusual attraction is the Haiku Pathway, a walking trail studded with haiku-etched boulders. The path starts at the Katikati Bus Company on Katikati's Main Street and leads down to the river. Pick up a map of the route at Katikati Visitor Information.