Matariki Festival alongside Ngaati Tamaoho, invites you gather to share kai, waiata, tākaro and haka, welcoming the new year with an intimate karakia and warea led by Kura Waka and Ngāti Tamaoho.
The Dawn Ceremony serves at the Matariki Festival opening event.
Mana whenua are the kaitiaki (guardians) of the Pukekoiiwiriki Paa Reserve and uphold customary practices to preserve and protect the site and whenua, for all communities.
The rising of Matariki in the mid-winter dawn sky marks Te Mātahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year. It is a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, and look ahead with intention.
The Waiohua confederation includes a number of iwi across south and central Tāmaki who share ancestral connections to Pukekiwiriki Pā.
Schedule:
- 5:15am - Shuttle Service starts from the Papakura Club (5 Croskery Road, Papakura) to Pukekooiwiriki Paa
- 5:45am – All gathered at Waharoa of Pukekooiwirki Paa
- 5.50am - Karanga / Waerea begins at the base entrance to Pukekooiwiriki Pā
- 6:15am – All gathered on the Maunga
- 6:15am – 7:00am Matariki Festival opening karakia. Kōrero, reflections, waiata and closing Karakia
- 7:15am – Gradual decent from the Maunga, return shuttle services begins
- 8:00am – Parakuiki (Breakfast), Acknowledgements, Promotion of Matariki Festival and events
- 9:00am – Event concludes