Katikati Open Air Art Inc (KOAA) was formed in 1990. Its purpose was then to help create Katikati as a tourist destination, re-establish community pride and create a great town atmosphere using high-quality art and culture as a tool, a philosophy we still believe thirty years later.

Based on the model of a town called Chemainus on Vancouver Island in Canada which had gone through similar issues that were affecting Katikati at the time – closure of industries, empty businesses and the impending by-pass – the group of volunteers wanted to tell the world the unique history of Katikati through the medium of murals and other forms of art.

Our first mural ‘Waitekohe school ‘ was produced in 1991. This was soon followed by a number of others to where now our art collection has over 75 artworks, making it one of New Zealand biggest outdoor art galleries, and worth around $500,000. Over the last thirty years KOAA’s focus has not only been on producing artworks by also supporting the community, we were instrumental in setting up the first information center, ‘The Pukeko House’ and later ’The Little Blue House’, a boutique art gallery, this has now developed into our modern new building ‘The Arts Junction & Carlton Gallery’ where KOAA work alongside Katch Katikati, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and other local art groups to continue to promote the town, district and the local art scene.

KOAA has won numerous regional and national awards over the years in tourism and volunteer work; we have developed a great working relationship with local council, Western Bay Museum and many other organisations and businesses that support us. We encourage and foster local artists and their artwork from all cultures and ages. KOAA has a range of souvenirs, we conduct tours and own an impressive art collection. In 2006 KOAA saw the need to further promote the arts and inspire the community by hosting the first New Zealand Mural contest, this biennial, week-long celebration of the arts has attracted over forty-five artists from around the world and involves a diverse range of the arts to witness and try your hand at. Katikati is truly New Zealand’s Muraltown and a community that supports the Arts & Culture: our images are now recognized around the world.