The Matariki Festival 2019 programme has been released, with more than 100 events running all over Auckland between 22 June and 14 July.
To help pick out the highlights for you, we've put together the Matariki Diary grouping together different types of events.
Check out this selection of art happenings over the festival period.
Glass House
When: Sat 22 June – Sat 6 July
Where: Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Rd, Manurewa
Cost: Free
Suitable for: 13+
Borrowing a name from a well-known gardening structure, the four artists in Glass House have developed tender new works through kōrero and in a supportive climate.
The exhibition has become a metaphorical space to grow new ideas at the time of the Māori new year, when sunshine hours are short, and using a process of “from seed to feed”.
Te Manu Atua
When: Sat 22 June – Sun 14 July, daily until 6pm
Where: George Courts, 238 Karangahape Rd, Auckland
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Te Manu Atua is an art installation project, celebrating the Māori new year on Karangahape Road. Kites were believed to be messengers, and like birds, they were considered to have spiritual connections with the gods.
We invite the community to write down their own messages to the Atua and loved ones in this interactive installation.
Te Puna Kōrero – Living Portraits Art Talks
When: Sat 22 June; Sun 7 July; Sat 13 July
Where: Upper Grey Gallery, Mezzanine level, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Kitchener St
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Join us at Auckland Art Gallery for a series of talks to celebrate Matariki and highlight works in the 'Living Portraits' exhibition. This show celebrates 160 years of Kiingitanga, in honour of the iwi manaaki for this year’s Matariki Festival.
Toi Roto Whakairo — Art of the Lake Carving
When: Sat 22 June – Sun 14 July; Tue – Sun, 10am–2pm
Where: Gardens and grounds of Lake House Arts Centre (follow signage to see the carvers in action), 37 Fred Thomas Dr, Takapuna
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Whakairo is the traditional Māori art of carving in wood, stone or bone. This whakairo showcase will feature the artistry of master carver Natanahira Pona. Guest artists will create interactive carvings themed around the environment of a lake. The finished carvings will enhance the identity of Lake House Arts, while strengthening bonds to the land, its history and people.
All works created will become permanent feature works at Lake House Arts for whānau to enjoy during Matariki Festival 2019 and beyond. Carving workshops available to book.
Ngā Pou Wāhine
When: Fri 27 June – Sat 13 July; daily from 5pm – 8.30pm
Where: Te Oro, 98 Line Rd, Glen Innes
Suitable for All ages
Cost: Free
Working on well-worn rimu floorboards from a Glen Innes state home, artist Natasha Keating reconfigures these boards into vertical pou of wāhine to celebrate women's strength and resilience. Wāhine are natural timekeepers, as shown by monthly cycles and the lunar connections to maramataka. As the rising of Matariki brings in a new year, this exhibition of pou wāhine helps to connect to the Māori lunar calendar. As wāhine stand together in their ability to overcome and survive change and struggle, there is a new connection to history and teachings.
