Kia ora koutou,
What a month July was for our little community! From the magic of Matariki, the chill of the Polar Plunge to the Studio 64 dance floor at the Op Shop Ball, it was a month full of connection, colour, and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who came out and made July so special. We have been SO lucky with the weather this winter.
August and September have a bit of a business focus, and we are genuinely excited about what's coming up.
The Waihī Beach Journal is designed so you can read the whole email with a coffee, or simply scroll to the sections that interest you most.
Here's what's in this edition:
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T.I.D.E - Waihī Beach x Community Board
Have you ever thought "I'd love to see more of this in Waihī Beach?" or maybe, "How come we don't have any of that here?" As someone who spends a lot of time out in the community here, I know that there are a lot of ideas swirling around in people's heads. But if they stay there, they won't ever come to fruition. Which is why we'd love to encourage you to have your say and make a difference to the future of Waihī Beach.
Our next T.I.D.E is all about you and your business. The Community Board wants to hear, in your own words, what you'd like to see for the Waihī Beach business area. What would make it feel more vibrant and welcoming? What would draw more people in? Where should its boundaries sit? And more.
Come along, share your thinking, and hear what others are picturing too. It's also a good chance to connect with fellow business owners and strengthen the relationships that hold our village together. Food and drinks will be provided, so just bring your ideas, invite a fellow business owner along, and come and have your say.
This is your chance to help shape decisions that will affect your business and our village for years to come.
When: Tuesday 18th August | 5.30pm
Where: Waihī Beach Community Centre
Free entry - RSVPs essential.
Register here.
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Our AGM - Come Join Us
This last year has been a really special one for Waihī Beach Events & Promotions. We've loved bringing you our signature events, spreading the word of Waihī Beach near and far, and getting stuck in around the community.
Now we'd love for you to join us at our AGM as we celebrate the year gone by and look ahead to what's next for Waihī Beach.
When: Thursday 27 August | 5.30pm
Where: Flatwhite, 21 Shaw Road, Waihī Beach
This year we're especially keen to welcome new committee members. If you've ever thought "I'd love to be involved in what's happening at the Beach", this is your chance. You'll help shape the events our community loves, bring your own ideas to the table, and volunteer alongside a friendly bunch of locals who care about this place as much as you do. No experience needed, just enthusiasm.
Curious? Get in touch with our Chairperson Shannon at shannon@waihibeach.co.nz beforehand, or simply come along on the night. Everyone is welcome, come and see what we're all about!
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Excellence Awards - Finalists, Speakers & Tickets
The 2026 Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards brought to you by Barfoot & Thompson are almost here, and we are so proud to introduce this year's finalists.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, to our wonderful panel of judges who gave their time and expertise so generously, and to our incredible sponsors who make these awards possible.
Retail Excellence Award
Proudly supported by Underscore 19 Design Studio
Finalists: Out of the Wild Petfood | Katikati Four Square
Small Business Excellence
Proudly supported by Kaimai Law Katikati
Finalists: Beach Road Deli | Katifit Gym
Hospitality Excellence
Proudly supported by Athenree Hot Springs
Finalists: Debrief Café Katikati | Beach Road Deli
Event of the Year
Proudly supported by Elliotts Funeral Services
Finalists: Echo Walking Festival | Katikati A&P Show
Employee of the Year
Proudly supported by Dynamic Media
Finalists: Cindy Boonzaaier (EastPack) | Jan de Faye (Katikati Community Centre)
Tourism Provider of the Year
Proudly supported by Craigs Investment Partners
Finalists: Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park | The Arts Junction
Sportsmanship Award
Proudly supported by Harwood Builders
Finalists: Jen McCready | Michael Williams
Local Hero Award
Proudly supported by Beach Vets
Finalists: Cindy Clare | Andrew Cochrane
Tradesperson of the Year
Proudly supported by Owens Flooring
Finalists: Konrad Williams, K Williams Electrical | Dez Procter, The Handyman Can
Cultural Ambassador of the Year
Proudly supported by Talisman Hotel and Restaurant
Finalists: Reon Tuanau | Paula and team, Western Bay Museum
Organisation of the Year
Proudly supported by Camille Betham & Associates
Finalists: Renaturing Katikati | Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc.
Congratulations to all of our finalists, we can't wait to celebrate your achievements on the night!
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The Evening
This year's event is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with an exceptional line-up of speakers joining us for the evening.
Nadia Lim - celebrated New Zealand entrepreneur, chef, television personality, and co-founder of My Food Bag, will be headlining the evening. Best known as the winner of MasterChef New Zealand, Nadia is a qualified dietitian, bestselling author, television presenter, farmer, and one of New Zealand's most recognisable business founders. Her contribution to business, food education, and public health saw her appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). Guests will enjoy an exclusive one-hour live Q&A with Nadia, where she'll share her journey through entrepreneurship, resilience, innovation, and building a successful New Zealand business.
Brodie Davis - General Manager of Project Parore, a community-led environmental organisation working from the hills to the harbour across the northern Tauranga catchments. Brodie grew up on a sheep and beef station in the hills of Motu, and today leads a team of passionate staff and volunteers who have restored waterways, planted hundreds of thousands of native trees, and helped Project Parore become one of Aotearoa's Freshwater Champions in 2024. He'll be sharing his story of bringing people together around a shared purpose. "From the hills to the harbour, good things happen when communities get stuck in."
Jason Topp - founder of SMYD Accounting & Advisory, an award-winning practice he built from the ground up after relocating his family and business to Waihī Beach in pursuit of a better life, and proving that you don't have to be in the big smoke to build something remarkable. A decade on, SMYD has grown to a team of ten, serving clients from Northland to Southland. Jason will be sharing his story of backing yourself, building on your own terms, and finding extraordinary talent in unexpected places.
Chris Simpson - Major Events specialist, former New Zealand Tall Blacks basketball player, and a man who has spent his career managing chaos with clarity. Chris led New Zealand's bid to co-host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, has delivered some of the country's most significant events including the 2011 Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony and the 2017 World Masters Games, and received the 2024 Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Events Industry award. He now lives in Bowentown with his wife Sheree, and will be sharing his philosophy on teamwork, leadership, and staying calm under pressure.
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The Details
Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards 2026
Brought to you by Barfoot & Thompson
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to dress up, this is it. Guests will be welcomed with cocktails on arrival, courtesy of Wilderkin Spirits, with grazing tables flowing through the evening and a photobooth to capture the night. The dress code for the evening is smart-formal/cocktail.
Thursday 3 September 2026 | 5.00pm
Fairview Golf & Country Club, Katikati
Tickets are on sale now, and they are very limited.
Get your tickets here.
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Waihī Beach & the MICHELIN Guide
To mark New Zealand's inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide, Tourism New Zealand is inviting the world to dinner, and Waihī Beach deserves a seat at that table.
I spent the day with some of our local passionate foodies to find out what makes them love what they do. The result? A little video that captures exactly what makes eating and drinking here so special.
Watch it here.
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Local Businesses Making Us Proud
We couldn't let this edition go by without sharing a couple of moments that made us beam this week.
First, a huge congratulations to Peter, Belinda, and the entire team at Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park, who took home not one but two national titles at the Holiday Parks Association annual awards dinner for 2026 Medium Park of the Year and the 2026 Supreme Industry Award.
The judges singled out their manaakitanga, noting that while holiday parks are built on connection with others, this park goes well beyond that. They were also recognised for their community contribution, their ongoing environmental programme, and for being the largest employer in the area.
It follows their recognition earlier this year as one of the top 10% of Traveller's Choice worldwide on TripAdvisor, and they're a finalist in the Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards on 3 September too!
Awards are lovely, but what strikes us is what sits behind them: a team who genuinely look after people, who invest back into this place, and who have quietly become one of the best ambassadors our patch could ask for.
And they're not the only ones celebrating, Wilderkin Spirits picked up gold at the New Zealand Spirit Awards for their new feijoa vodka. We sure do punch well above our weight around here huh!
Ngā mihi nui to Peter, Belinda and the Athenree whānau, and to the Wilderkin crew. We are very lucky to have you all!
If your business is doing cool things like this in Waihī Beach, let us know at hello@waihibeach.co.nz, we'd love to share more stories to inspire others!
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Volunteer at the Information Centre: Summer Season
Do you love Waihī Beach and enjoy sharing that love with others? We're looking for volunteers to join the team at the Waihī Beach Information Centre for the upcoming summer season.
If you have a good knowledge of the area and enjoy welcoming visitors, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with Joy at hello@waihibeach.co.nz
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Ngā mihi nui,
Hollie Jones
Waihī Beach Events & Promotions
Please note: All information in this newsletter is subject to change. We recommend checking official event pages and social channels for the latest updates.
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Learn More:
Proudly brought to you by Waihī Beach Community Events & Promotions: a local not-for-profit dedicated to bringing our community together through great events and celebrating Waihī Beach as one of New Zealand’s top coastal destinations.
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