EVENTS

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

From the moment you enter the festival there is lots on offer - from live music on the DMS Main Stage to cooking demonstrations in the Seeka Kitchen Tent, kid's entertainment and sumptuous food and beverages!

SATURDAY 11th JANUARY 2025, 12NOON - 6PM, URETARA DOMAIN, KATIKATI

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN 2025

Live music rocks the Festival venue from 12 noon till 6:00pm.

12 noon - Kokomo
Kokomo is one of New Zealand's leading blues 'n' roots bands, well known for dynamic live shows and highly-regarded songwriting.
Hailing from right here in the sunny Bay of Plenty, the Kokomo team have been making music together now since the 1990s; they have toured extensively throughout New Zealand, performing at the country’s major rock, blues, jazz and folk festivals, released 15 albums and a live concert film which mix the authentic flavours of traditional blues with the band’s own songs. People often refer to the Kokomo sound as “Kiwiana Blues”
Kokomo last played at the Katikati Avocado Festival in 2020 alongside Dave Dobbyn and are delighted to be back playing at their favourite festival in their favourite town in New Zealand!

1:20pm - Tiki Taane
One of the most well-known and diverse artists and producers in Aotearoa New Zealand, Tiki Taane (Ngāti Maniapoto / MacDuff) is considered to be an influential element in the pioneering of Aotearoa's bass culture, as well as the country's most prolific genre-bending experimentalist.
First hitting the stage in 1991, Tiki went on to become the live engineer and eventually frontman of leading band Salmonella Dub in 1996, which catapulted Tiki to embark upon a life changing solo career that saw his music and production skills reach record breaking, award winning heights.
Tiki’s 2008 self-produced debut solo release ‘Past Present Future’ achieved double platinum sales and picked up a swag of NZ Music awards. His beautiful acoustic love ballad ‘Always On My Mind’ rose to #1 and broke two all-time NZ records – it sat in the charts for a record 55 weeks and was also the first-ever NZ digital single to achieve platinum sales.
Renowned as much for his powerful, live performances as he is for the anthems he writes and produces, Tiki’s extraordinary ability to rock the mic as a hype MC, or as a one man band live looper, or through the collaborations he does with bands and orchestras, is something to be experienced first-hand. No matter the set he performs, or which country he performs in, the audience is always reminded of the sheer power of Tiki’s ability to unify and connect as he seamlessly delivers a unique performance experience, making him the most diverse producer and performing artist in Aotearoa NZ.

2:40pm - White Chapel Jak
White Chapel Jak are a lovable Kiwi grassroots band that have been capturing crowds around Aotearoa with their funk, pop, roots, soul style of music. With a charismatic Maori front woman who has a bold, soulful voice the band are renowned for their interactive performances.
White Chapel Jak have opened for Ben Harper and Alanis Morissette, and entertained more than 15,000 people at the SeePort Festival in Auckland performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra two years in a row. They were the headline act at Napier’s New Years Eve waterfront celebrations in 2019 and many of their 2020 shows sold out as their reputation and following grew, including epic performances at Crab Farm Winery in Napier.
As live performers White Chapel Jak steal the show! Their music is groovy and funky and cool. With a growing fan base they’ve earned a reputation over the past six years for delivering great music, good times and good vibes.
Lead singer Bonnie Hurunui has a powerhouse voice and cheeky charm that delights crowds and has them on their feet singing and dancing throughout performances. The talented trio are completed by funk and groove drummer Dean Tinning and multi-talented guitarist Nathan Boston (both hailing from Hawkes Bay), and guest artists will join them on stage.
Their debut release of their original single “Good Time”. It’s a catchy, roots style kiwi summer song that reminds you of cruising through sunny Aotearoa with good friends, whanau, aroha, beaches and great tunes.

4:30pm – 6pm: Katchafire

Hailing from Hamilon, Katchafire have crafted a universal vibe within their music building off the foundations of classic roots reggae, R’n’B, funk and modern dancehall whilst fusing it together with catchy pop, infectious grooves and uplifting vibes.
With six successful albums, multiple awards, platinum sales, hit singles, and a massive fanbase selling out shows around the world, 2024 sees Katchafire continue to expand and tour across the globe again.
The all-Maori band bring their pure classic sound to music lovers worldwide delivering one of the most authentic Reggae shows around today with popularity and critical acclaim seeing them on line-ups with just about every reggae artist worldwide.
The band are super excited to be playing at the Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival in 2025!: Summer vibes + live music + kai, lock it in on your calendar and bring all the family!

CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS

Featuring Brad King, Head Chef at Falls Retreat

By popular demand chef Brad King returns to the Festival in 2025 for avocado-themed cooking demonstrations on the hour in the Seeka Kitchen Marquee.
Brad is a passionate and creative chef, with over 10 years experience of international cuisine working in Australia, Europe and America. Today he is the popular Head Chef of his own restaurant, The Falls Retreat in the Karangahake Gorge. Falls Retreat has a “paddock to plate” ethos with a menu focused on seasonality and sustainability.
At the Festival he will be sharing the secrets to these mouth-watering recipes: