Events calendar fills up as curbs end

• Published date: 29 September 2022

Government officials announced an end to all Government vaccine mandates from Monday

It followed the removal of all mask wearing requirements earlier in the month, and the end to the COVID-19 Protection Framework known as the traffic light system.

After more than two years of uncertainty and difficulties in organising and hosting events, the community is in for a good spring and summer.

“It is time to turn the page on our COVID-19 management and live without the extraordinary measures we have previously used,” the Government’s official statement said.

This week’s Katikati Advertiser features multiple announcements of events happening around the town and wider region. There will be an Anzac Bay Summer Kick Off at Waihī Beach, a Festival of Cultures in Katikati, and New Zealand’s top comedians visiting — among just a few highlights.

Small gatherings also are being hosted to give people insights into the clubs and groups that have always been an important feature of smaller towns, keeping people connected in the community — especially those who are elderly or who live alone.

Performers themselves are among those relieved for a return to normality, after being unable to gather an audience due to COVID-19.

The performances not only enriched communities but were important fundraisers for schools, emergency services and community groups.

A comedy night being hosted in town in November is a major fundraiser for Katikati Primary School, for example.

Fiona Powell, who has been extremely busy lately as Katch Katikati’s communications manager, said the energy that went into organising events that subsequently had to be cancelled was at times “soul destroying” for organisers.

But there is a new horizon.

“You can definitely feel that things have changed,” says Fiona.

“People are coming along to things now. People weren’t that comfortable coming to events and gatherings but on the weekend we had two sold-out events and there’s lots more events and concerts, and performers coming.”

On October 9, Katikati Concert Band is hosting the NZ Concert Band Association weekend workshop with brass and woodwind players gathering from all over the country under the direction of a professional conductor.

“We hosted a very successful band weekend a...