From September 12-14 Katikati will mark the 150th anniversary since the Ulster Irish settlers arrived in town with three days packed with community events.

The 150th programme begins September 12 with an event called “Rugby Remembers – Lest we Forget" at Katikati War Memorial Hall, which stems from arguably Katikati’s most famous Irish settler David Gallaher – who arrived as a 5-year-old and went onto become the first captain of the All Blacks.

Here, ex-Katikati rugby player and artist Steve Graveson who, with Rollo Dunlop, wrote “Seven Thousand Two Hundred & Eighty Saturdays: the 140 year history of the Katikati Rugby Football Club” shares the milestones of how rugby took root and grew in the town.

Celebrating 150 years since a township was formed is a very special event. What makes Katikati’s so special is that the Katikati rugby club is almost able to share the same milestone, reaching 145 years in 2025 too.

When the Irish settlers arrived in 1875, they were Katikati’s second arrivals to leave a mark. The new settlers brought new cultures, religions, customs and lifestyles, and were very keen to establish those life beliefs in their new homeland.

For the Ulster settlers, their main focus was to establish their homes, schools and churches – and, of course, their sport teams. So it was no surprise the game of rugby was to become part of the community for the next 145 years.

Even though times were hard, money was tight and the infrastructure we take for granted now was still years away, the community needed something it could enjoy, use to unwind and take its minds off things. It was also something that would bring the people together every Saturday afternoon.

Sport has always been a great tool for bringing people together. For Katikati, the local rugby club in its various forms has been one of those tools. The club has shared in the community’s highs and lows, tough and good times, and it’s brought the community together on occasions. From the 1920s through to the 1950s, Katikati was one of the leading clubs in the Thames Valley Union, before moving to the Bay of Plenty Union in 1965, where its greatest achievement was winning the Baywide Championship in 1986.

It has endured economic changes, survived wars, the Depression, and even two global pandemics. It has given the community numerous heroes and players to cheer for and support every Saturday, and it has lasted the test of time.

Another role the club has created is the ability to bring cultures together. It very quickly became obvious that not only the Irish men were passionate about rugby, but also the original settlers, the tangata whenua males who took to rugby like they were born to play it. Generations of Māori and Pakeha whānau have contributed to the history of the club. These days, the Polynesian community brings a new and exciting passion to the game.

The rugby club now looks forward to sharing and supporting the community of Katikati for the next 150 years.

The 150th anniversary of the arrival of Katikati’s Ulster settlers begins Friday, September 12, from 2pm-4.30pm with an event called “Rugby Remembers – Lest we Forget" at Katikati War Memorial Hall. All are welcome.

Find out more at: katikati150celebration.co.nz