The Matariki Festival 2019 programme has been released, with over 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 special, light themed happenings over the festival period.
InMotion Matariki
When: Sat 6 July, 5.30pm-8.30pm
Where: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, cnr Beaumont and Jellicoe St
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
InMotion Matariki, the magical illuminated parade returns once again. Decorate your wheels to the theme of Matariki and join Touch Compass on a magical journey through the urban maze of Wynyard Quarter.
Bring your bike, scooter, wheelchair, billy-cart, unicycle or power chair — if you don’t have wheels, then join us on foot for a lively walk.
Enjoy a mix of sensory art installations and live performance along the way, before a presentation of Touch Compass’s new aerial spectacle, Te Ranga Ika. The parade is a fun, free, inclusive and fully-accessible family-friendly event. InMotion Matariki is part of Elemental AKL.
Vector Lights for Matariki Festival
When:
- 27-30 June; 5 – 7 July; 12 – 14 July
- 6pm – midnight
- The show runs for 8 minutes every half an hour
Where: Auckland Harbour Bridge
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
This year’s host iwi for Matariki Festival, Waikato-Tainui, have created a stunning display featuring te whetuu tapu o te tau hou Maaori (the sacred star of the Maaori new year) on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Interweaving history, genealogy and storytelling, this stunning light show presents the stories of Tāmaki Makaurau from a Waikato-Tainui perspective.
The accompanying soundtrack features songs that have been composed specifically for this time of year and can be accessed from the Vector Lights website.
Te Mata o Rehua Lights
When: Sat 22 June – Mon 24 June. Nightly from 6.30pm – 11.30pm
Where: Manukau Civic Building, 31 – 33 Manukau Station Road
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
The iconic Manukau Civic Building will be lit at night with the colours of Matariki, to mark the beginning of the Matariki Festival and part of Light Up Tāmaki. Te Mata o Rehua Lights is part of Elemental AKL.
Te Ara Rama Matariki Light Trail
When: Fri 5 July – Sat 13 July; 5pm–10pm
Where: Maybury Reserve, 204 Taniwha St, Glen Innes
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Te Ara Rama Matariki Light Trail is now in its seventh year and is free for the whole whānau. This outdoor lighting festival combines light, music and creativity across nine themes, running over eight nights during Matariki Festival.
Proudly supported by Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board and the Glen Innes Business Association.
Stellar Festival of Lights
When: Fri 12 July – Sun 14 July; 5pm – 10pm
Where: Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Rd, Takapuna
Cost: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Immerse yourself in an abundance of light installations that will dazzle, delight and impress with their unique colours and designs. Join the community to celebrate Matariki, the Māori new year, with lights, bites and a wide range of entertainment. Stellar Festival of Lights is part of Elemental AKL.
