Matariki is a time for people to gather with friends and whānau to celebrate the present, honor ancestors and look to the future. Themed art and lights will welcome people to mark the Māori new year in Balmoral.
This year Matariki themed flags designed by artist Poi Ngawati (Ngāti Whātua) will proudly fly along Dominion Road.
Supported by the Albert-Eden Local Board, the flags have been designed and produced in partnership with the Dominion Road Business Association (BID – confirm), Balmoral Chinese Business Association and Auckland Council’s placemaking team.
“It’s fantastic to be able to support creatives and contribute to making the Matariki celebration special and distinctive to our local area,” says local board Chairperson Margi Watson.
Balmoral and Dominion Road will be lit up with Matariki themed lighting too giving everyone an opportunity to celebrate the festivities together.
Dominion Rd Business Association Manager Gary Holmes says the Association is delighted to support the installation of these Matariki flags.
“It has always been our wish to publicly show our area’s support for Matariki as part of our commitment to being ‘a world within a street’ and 2022 is an ideal time with the inaugural public holiday on 24 June," says Gary Holmes of the Dominion Rd Business Association.
The sentiment is echoed by the Balmoral Chinese Business Association.
“Matariki is a special celebration for Māori, tangata whenua and we want these Matariki flags to show our support and acknowledge this unique New Zealand celebration with all who come to visit Dominion Road,” Gavin Zhang, Vice-President of the Balmoral Chinese Business Association.
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