Katikati’s biggest party of the year will flow with the sound of country music early next January, with Tami Neilson named the main act of the annual avocado festival.

The Canadian-born country singer-songwriter – and possessor of a belter of a voice – will be the final musician to take to the stage at Katikati Avo Fest 2026 at the Uretara Domain.

Katch Katikati events manager Kylie Watkins said her team of organisers had opted to invite Neilson to perform in front of the festival’s predicted 4000-strong crowd after surveying previous ticket-holders on what music they’d like to hear at a future instalment.

“Country music came out as the most popular genre,” said Watkins.

“That feedback really guided our decision, and it’s why we’re so excited to have booked our main act – it’s about giving our audience the music they most wanted to hear.”

Tami Neilson is performing at the 2025 Tauranga Arts Festival. Photo / Alexa King Stone Tami Neilson is the main act at Katikati Avo Fest 2026. Photo / Alexa King Stone

The multi-award winning country singer Neilson would headline the January 10 festival off the back of a stellar year in professional music in 2025, said Watkins.

She will come to Katikati Avo Fest 2026 fresh from exciting international tours in 2025, and her new album titled ‘Neon Cowgirl’.

The album saw her tour America this year with none other than country legend Willie Nelson - with whom she sung the APRA Best Country Music Song Award-winning ‘Beyond The Stars’ - and Bob Dylan, and shows in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Released in July, ‘Neon Cowgirl’ followed the success of singles ‘You’re Gonna Fall’ and ‘Borrow My Boots’. The album features guests Neil Finn, JD McPherson, Ashley McBryde and Grace Bowers, which will now be heard echoing across Katikati on January 10.

Katikati Avo Fest 2026, which runs 12pm - 6pm, features a music line-up that opens with Wellington favourites The Relatives, serving up sing-along hits from yesteryear through to modern rock anthems guaranteed to get the crowd moving.

“They’re followed by Sonar Flare, a high-voltage supergroup led by Jason Kerrison and featuring platinum artists from The Feelers, Opshop, Zed, and Sola Rosa - expect arena-sized energy and massive musicianship,” said Watkins.

“Then, the Lady Killers – Tina Cross, Suzanne Lynch, and Jackie Clarke – will take the spotlight with a dazzling harmony masterclass that glides from gospel to rock ‘n’ roll, delivering pin-drop moments, big laughs, and feel-good thrills.”

A celebrity chef – who will conjure avo-forward dishes on the hour in the kitchen marquee – would be announced soon.

Early Bird tickets are now on sale at: www.KatikatiAvoFest.co.nz.

Limited allocations are expected to sell out quickly.