Aligned with the Matariki star cluster rising, Matariki Festival 2019 starts on 22 June and runs until 14 July in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The festival begins each year just before the break of dawn as Matariki, or the Pleiades, rises above the horizon.
Presented by Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, in partnership with mana whenua, the festival celebrates the Māori new year and new beginnings.
Historically, Māori navigators were guided to Aotearoa by the stars, including Matariki, with crews using masterful wayfinding and voyaging techniques passed down through generations.
Those themes will be woven throughout the festival.
Aucklanders and visitors, especially families with children, are being encouraged to celebrate the richness of the city’s Māori identity by coming together for Matariki Festival, the leading Matariki celebration in Aotearoa.
What's on during Matariki 2019
The festival programme, to be unveiled on 5 June, will present more than 100 events and programmes where people can experience te ao Māori through stories, entertainment, discussions, performance and art.
Events will include:
Matariki Dawn Karakia
22 June, 6am-10am, Pukekawa, Auckland Domain
Herald the Māori new year alongside iwi manaaki (host iwi) at Matariki Dawn Karakia.
Matariki on the Move: Kōrero
10 July, 7pm – 10pm at SKYCITY Theatre, Auckland City Centre
Hear stories of the Matariki star cluster, learn the art of navigation and discover the importance of the Māori lunar calendar with Matariki on the Move: Kōrero.
Matariki on the Move: Tirotiro Whetū
24, 27, 28 June; 1, 4, 5, 8, 13 July, 6pm–9pm; 14 July, 5.30am–9am
Waitematā Harbour sailings depart from Ōrākei Marina
Board a waka and view the stars by night with Matariki on the Move: Tirotiro Whetū.
Manu Aute Kite Day
29 June, from 10am; 10am–4pm, Takaparawhau at Ōrākei; 11am–4pm, Pukewīwī in Puketāpapa (Mt Roskill); 12pm–4pm, Manu Tukutuku in Manurewa
See skies filled with kites during Manu Aute Kite Day at three locations across Auckland.
Te Taumata Kapa Haka
6 July, 10am–4pm at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Witness exhilarating live performances at Te Taumata Kapa Haka.
Te Korakora on Federal
12 July, 5pm–10pm in Federal Street, Auckland City Centre
Dance the night away under the Matariki stars while enjoying a stellar line-up of musical talent and entertainment at Te Korakora on Federal.
Vector Lights for Matariki Festival
27 – 30 June, 5 – 7 and 12 – 14 July at 6pm – midnight
The show will run for 8 minutes and play every half hour.
Enjoy a stunning light show presenting the stories of Tāmaki Makaurau, from the perspective of iwi manaaki at Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Something for everyone
With 23 days of events across Tāmaki Makaurau this Matariki season, Festival Director Ataahua Papa says there is something for everyone.
“Matariki Festival activities and events across Tāmaki Makaurau remind us of our history and origins while giving us all an opportunity to come together in celebration.
“This special time of year enables us to enrich the cultural fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau and bring to life the city we love,” says Papa.
See more events taking place during Matariki 2019 here on OurAuckland.
