Katiki

Katiki is a small settlement in North Otago, New Zealand. It lies between the townships of Palmerston and Hampden on State Highway 1 (New Zealand) at the northern end of Katiki Beach, close to the Moeraki Peninsula. The tip of the peninsula, Katiki Point, is the site of Katiki Point Lighthouse. The scenic reserve of Trotter's Gorge is located just inland of Katiki.

There is uncertainty about the origin of the name, though it could have originally been Ka Tiki ("The carved figures"). The settlement was called Kartigi until 1927, this former name stressing the local Southern Maori pronunciation. The town no longer has any signage but for a small bridge sign 'Katiki bridge'. In the 1950s Katiki had a small school but has since declined dramatically in population. The few families that live in Katiki have been there for generations and on two occasions can be traced back to being early settlers in the area. Further north along the coast from the lighthouse are two small settlements called the Katiki Kaiks. The houses (roughly 50 of them) here are very basic and largely holiday homes.

The area is very special for its history. Many years ago when Moeraki was a small Maori fishing village with only a few early settlers a notable chief declared that if people were caught drinking they would be exiled to the Kaiks. Along with people caught drinking, half-caste families were also sent there. As a result there is now a sacred urupa (maori cemetery) there with unmarked graves. Property is difficult to attain there as it cannot be purchased, only leased.

Katiki lighthouse is home to the famous 'yellow eyed penguin' (hoiho), one of the rarest penguins in the world. It's visitors can almost be guaranteed to see fur seals on their visit to the viewing huts. The area is also a local fishing hot spot for blue cod in particular. The lighthouse itself was one of the last lighthouses to be manned.

References

• Reed, A. W. (1975) Place names of New Zealand. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed.
• Wise's New Zealand Guide (1969). Dunedin: H. Wise and Co. Ltd.
• Matheson, S. J. (2011) 'Tales of our district. Katiki: Penguin.