Tiny but mighty Katikati RSA to focus on core outputs

By Matthew and Liz Farrell

It was an eventful year for Katikati’s Tiny House Builders

“We ended 2022 on a high, winning three of the five prestige industry honours at the Tiny House Awards in Auckland in October,” says director Rebecca McLean

The local company scooped the ‘Best Commercial Build’, the ‘Resene Colour Award’, and the ‘Tiny House of the Year’ categories All of the builds entered were based in Katikati

Rebecca has recently been inducted into the NZ Tiny House Association as Chair and is currently looking at legislation at a Government level, to try to streamline the process clients navigate

“Councils have to enforce the rules, and we need to remove unnecessary cases being argued and needing MBIE involvement

“We are working closely with Western Bay District Council to look at how tiny living can enable housing in our region We are very happy with the support shown from the Council to date

“With the pending District Plan review, we ’ re working together to make changes,” says Rebecca

Tiny House Builders hosts an open day on Saturday 11th February from 10am2pm, to give people a chance to view different builds at different stages, and see the award-winning projects in person

“Visitors can gain a feeling of the space, view the options and meet the team to talk all things tiny It’s a great opportunity for our team to share knowledge, especially around the three L’s - land, lending and legislation - and answer common questions about composting and incinerating toilets,” Rebecca says

Tiny House Builders is also planning an Airbnb in Katikati They previously ran a tiny home as an Airbnb from June to December 2020 and were pleased with the results, despite the Covid climate it was operating in

“We’re excited to be setting up a new Kowhai and Tiny Pod Airbnb for potential clients and travellers to experience tiny living We’re currently building a beautiful big deck to create an awesome functional space, and hope to launch very soon, ” says Rebecca

For more information email rebecca@tinyhousebuilders co nz or call 027 302 1900

By Glenn Burt President

Some big changes have occurred within the Katikati RSA organisation These have been brought about primarily from the negotiated terms of renewal of the lease of their RSA building to the Katikati RSA & Citizens Club, (who run the club facilities in Henry Road), a review of member needs, and a desire to ensure the assets of the RSA remain in Katikati in perpetuity for the benefit of the local community

The RSA will continue to focus on its grassroots, with the primary output being the welfare of our members through both the Poppy and the Welfare Trusts, the preservation and display of memorabilia, an overview of the management of facilities such as the Services section at the cemetery, the War Memorial Hall, other monuments, the running of the Katikati RSA Charitable Trust, the conducting of ANZAC and Armistice parades, and - most importantly - the development of camaraderie among members through social activities and participation in our outputs

The Katikati RSA & Homewood Village Trust has been formally renamed the ‘Katikati RSA Charitable Trust’, and its objectives or purpose has been extended

The RSA has gifted its land and buildings on Henry Road to the Katikati RSA Charitable Trust It has also gifted $124,500 from its reserves to enable the Trust to acquire the adjoining two carparks that were previously owned by

The Katikati RSA & Citizens Club has been granted a 21-year lease of the former RSA building by the Trust in exchange for the Club meeting all outgoings (rates, insurance and all maintenance costs, i e cost neutral to the Trust) The Club is also required to change its name to Club Katikati by the end of the year

The RSA has taken out corporate membership with Club Katikati The Roll of Honour and the everlasting flame have been moved to a prominent place within the foyer of the building Club Katikati has generously given the RSA the use of its old office, which will be converted into a ‘quiet’ room where memorabilia and some historical photos will be displayed

Residents of the 38 residential units within the RSA Village will not be impacted in any way, but the Village will be renamed in January as the Homewood Village The Bofors gun, previously located at the RSA, will be relocated to the village and incorporated in a redeveloped frontage The upgrade of units within the Village, budgeted to cost in excess of two million dollars, is continuing and, while expected to take several more years, will ensure that the residents have a quality environment to live in

The Village and the Clubrooms are significant assets within the Katikati community The executive of the Katikati RSA is excited that these changes will ensure they remain in our community in perpetuity for the benefit of the Katikati community