17/09/2026
KATIKATI RSA MURAL: HONOURING THE PAST, PRESERVING THE STORY
Kia ora from Katikati Open Air Art.
It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of the Katikati RSA building and all that it has represented for our community over many years.
We pay tribute to those who served our country and to the families and loved ones who have carried that legacy forward. The RSA has long been a place of remembrance, connection, and community, and its significance will not be forgotten.
As many people are aware, the site is entering a new chapter. While change can feel unsettling, particularly when it involves places of deep historical and emotional importance, we want to reassure the community that every effort is being made to preserve the story represented by the mural Those Who Served, originally created by Geoffrey Fuller of Hastings and repainted in 2011 by Renee Te Pairii.
Following extensive assessment, it has been determined that the mural itself cannot be physically saved. This has not been a decision reached lightly, and we understand many people will feel disappointed by this outcome.
However, Katikati Open Air Art is committed to ensuring the artwork's story and legacy continue. We are embarking on a project to create a scaled digital reproduction of the mural for display at a suitable community location.
The display will also include information about the mural's history, significance, and contribution to Katikati's cultural heritage, ensuring future generations can continue to appreciate and understand its importance.
We want to reassure everyone that we are not losing the story. Through the reproduction process, we will draw on the original concept plan currently displayed in the Katikati Memorial Hall, along with historical records associated with the artwork.
Katikati Open Air Art is the caretaker of more than 92 public artworks throughout our town. These works belong to the community, and we take seriously our responsibility to preserve and protect our shared artistic heritage.
As a charitable, not-for-profit organisation established in the late 1980s, we rely on grants, partnerships, and volunteers. We thank our volunteers, past and present, whose dedication has helped make Katikati the mural town it is today.
We appreciate the community's understanding during this period of transition and will continue to keep everyone informed as the project progresses.
Ngฤ mihi,
Katikati Open Air Art
