Katikati is the place to be this Saturday as the township invites people from near and far to celebrate everyone's diversity in the second Katikati Festival of Cultures.

The festival invites people of all cultures to come and celebrate their origins with a flag parade, which begins 10am at Moore Park and goes through town to finish at Katikati War Memorial Hall.

At the hall, the event will begin with a powhiri welcome – followed by a range of cultural performances and entertainment from a number of groups showing the community and visitors alike their beautiful traditions. Plus, international food will be for sale from vendors offering multiple cuisines.

Organiser Kirst O'Rourke says this Saturday, June 3, is the first opportunity since Covid-19 hit New Zealand to be able to host the whole festival after the flag parade was unable to happen in 2021.

'We really want the community – as well as visitors to town – to come and enjoy all the culture, cuisines and traditions that people of different ethnicities have to offer from 10am-2pm.”

'Cultural performers include Katikati College Pasifika Group, the Tauranga Chinese Cultural Arts group dancing in traditional costume, Tauranga Samba, Cambodian dancers, Arabian Spice and the Te Moananui Society Cook Island Drum Group.”

Food vendors include Loco Mexicano, Brazilian-style Supreme Snacks, Indian Delicious Dosa, Thai food provided by Nui Thai, hangi catered by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua, and a Kiwi sausage sizzle by Katikati Pony Club.

Katikati Festival of Cultures 10am-2pm Saturday, June 3, at Katikati War Memorial Hall, State Highway 2. All welcome!