Photo: RNZ
Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori new year, so here's how you can celebrate Matariki with these events taking place around the motu this weekend.
The chief advisor to the government on the subject says there is something in Matariki for everyone.
Professor Rangi Mātāmua told Morning Report this year the festivities were a lot more regionalised, which had been pleasing to see.
So here's how you can get involved.
TE IKA-A-MAUI
TE TAI TOKERAU
WHAT: Te Tau Hou Māori Puanga Matariki - a free festival with music, storytellers, kapa haka, food trucks and the special Puanga Matariki display at 7pm.
WHEN: 4-7.30pm, Friday 14 July
WHERE: Paihia Waterfront, Paihia (best viewing from Zane Grey's to Bay View Rd and along the Paihia Wharf)
TAMAKI MAKAURAU
WHAT: Umu Kohukohu Whetū - join Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on their whenua Takaparawhau to light umu (earth ovens) before sunrise and welcome the Māori new year with food offerings to the Matariki cluster.
WHEN: From 5-9am, Friday 14 July
WHERE: Takaparawhau - Bastion Point, Ōrākei Marae - 59B Kitemoana Street, Ōrākei
WHAT: Matariki Festival Day - lots of waiata, kapa haka, kiriata (movies), Māori gaming experts, indigenous craft and kai, Māori designers and Māori food trucks to keep the whole whānau entertained in this free, family-friendly festival.
WHEN: 12-6pm, Friday 14 July
WHERE: Auckland Town Hall, 301-317 Queen St, Auckland CBD
KIRIKIRIROA - HAMILTON
WHAT: With live music from Son & Water, YAHYAH, Te Pou-o-Mangataawhiri and Late 80s Mercedes from 5pm, free activities for tamariki (light displays, star-making and taa moko - face painting), waiata and haka performances, there's lots to enjoy at this free family event. BYO picnic or take advantage of the on-site food trucks.
WHEN: From 4pm, Saturday 15 July
WHERE: Hamilton Lake Domain, Hamilton
Photo:
TAURANGA MOANA - BAY OF PLENTY
WHAT: Matariki I Runga - join this free guided walk to the summit of Mauao to view the Matariki cluster with navigator Jack Thatcher.
WHEN: 6-7.30am, Friday 14 July
WHERE: Meet at the summit of Mauao
ROTORUA
WHAT: Te Pō Kitakita - A Matariki Celebration at The Arts Village, with music, kapa haka, toi Māori, mural painting and (but wait, there's more!) free hot chocolate for kids.
WHEN: 5.30-8.30pm, Thursday 13 July
WHERE: The Arts Village, 1240 Hinemaru St, Rotorua
TAUPŌ
WHAT: Learn about Matariki with storytelling, waiata and kapa haka, with a special focus on the Taupō district and the traditional knowledge of Ngāti Tuwharetoa.
WHEN: 10-11am, Saturday 15 July
WHERE: Tapuaeharuru Lakefront Taupō (alternative venue in case of bad weather: Taupō Museum)
Photo: RNZ
TE MATAU-A-MAUI - HAWKES BAY
WHAT: Matariki Mahuika/Home Fires - join your Hawkes Bay friends and whānau to watch the entire Napier-Hastings shoreline set on fire. This is a DIY event - build your own bonfire or join in with others.
WHEN: From 5pm, Saturday July 15
WHERE: Cape Kidnappers to Tangoio, Hawkes Bay
TARANAKI
WHAT: TSB Festival of Lights Winter Pop-Up event, with eight light installations along the Coastal Walkwayat sites along Huatoki Plaza.
WHEN: From 5-10pm, Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 July
WHERE: Sites along Huatoki Plaza to the Coastal Walkway, New Plymouth CBD
MANAWATU
WHAT: Puanga Twilight Festival - kapa haka, sets by local artists and a headline performance from Wellington collective Toi, plus food trucks, lighting displays and bouncy castles for tamariki.
WHEN: From 3-7.30pm, Friday 14 July
WHERE: Central Energy Trust Arena - Pit Lane, 61 Pascal Street, Palmerston North Central.
TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA - WELLINGTON
WHAT: Matariki Ahi Kā - projections, performances, fire and kai - stretching around the Wellington waterfront. Don't miss Mana Moana Ponēke - projections on to the water at Whairepo Lagoon.
WHEN: 6-9pm, Friday 14-Sunday 16 July
WHERE: Wellington Waterfront
TE WAI POUNAMU
WHAKATU - NELSON
WHAT: Te Huihui-o-Matariki - an all-day event that includes the Taka Kara Tīpuna, the Regional Secondary School Kapa Haka Competitions, a Matariki market and live music performances from Maaka Fiso, Awhimai Fraser and the Modern Māori Quartet.
WHEN: 9am-9pm, Friday 14 July
WHERE: Trafalgar Centre and Rutherford Park, Nelson
matariki Photo: NASA
ŌTAUTAHI - CHRISTCHURCH
WHAT: Tīrama Mai - a free festival of light and sound featuring dazzling lighting installations, projections and illuminated art works. Plus, live readings of Matariki stories and Māori legends performed around the fire pit in Victoria Square from 6-8pm, and fire and light shows at the Te Atamira Performance Zone from 8-9pm. Food trucks on site will keep your whānau well-fed.
WHEN: 5-10pm, 13-15 July
WHERE: Victoria Square, cnr Colombo and Armagh Sts, Christchurch Central
MURIHIKU - SOUTHLAND
WHAT: Te Hikoi o Ngā Whetū - toi Māori, light installations, storytelling, entertainment and kai stalls.
WHEN: From 5.30-10pm, Friday 14 to Tuesday 18 July
WHERE: Queens Park, Invercargill
ŌTEPOTI - DUNEDIN
WHAT: Matariki Ahuka Nui - a full day of Matariki activities, beginning with a karakia just before dawn, to farewell the past year and welcome the new one. The dawn event will be followed by kai, then a range of cool stuff to do and learn, including hands-on arts (pick up a free art activity book from the museum foyer, or join a screenprinting session at 4pm), music (Dr Jennifer Cattermole will be playing a variety of taoka pūoro - traditional Māori instruments, Tenaya Brown performs live at 12 noon), kete weaving with local kairaranga Lucy Smith, and demonstrations of mau rākau (traditional Māori martial arts).
WHERE: Tūhura Otago Museum Reserve, 419 Great King St, Ōtepoti Dunedin
WHEN: Friday 14 July, 6:45am-9pm
RAKIURA - STEWART ISLAND
WHAT: Feast Matariki Mahika Kai workshops - how to process ika and how to process tītī - and a Mahika Kai dinner.
WHERE: Traill Park, Golden Bay Road, Oban
WHEN: Workshops ($45) take place at 10.30am and 2pm on Friday 14 July and Saturday 15 July. A free community dinner (5.30pm) takes place on Saturday 15 July
