Katikati Murals and Minden Lookout

In Katikati, visitors and residents see local history every day, just by walking the main street.

Every city, town and settlement has its stories to tell, but Katikati in the Bay of Plenty has found a special way to tell them. The town is decorated with art and paintings that depict the district's colourful history. More than 35 works of art in and around the main street - murals, sculptures and carvings - pay homage to the town's original Maori population, early settlement by Ulster pioneers, timber milling and farming heritage. There is also a magnificent tribute to the men and women who left the district to fight in overseas wars.

Between Katikati and the city of Tauranga is Te Puna, where you can turn right and drive up to the Minden Lookout. At 286 metres above sea level, this viewing point delivers unobstructed views along the Bay of Plenty coast and out to sea, over orchards, farmland, hill country and the suburbs of Tauranga.