After a year’s hiatus, the much-loved Matariki Festival will light up the winter at Arataki Visitor Centre again in June, thanks to the funding support from Waitākere Ranges Local Board.
The board agreed to allocate $5,000 to Arataki Visitor Centre for the Matariki 2024 events, including Matariki Whānau Day, Konohete Po – Music for Matariki, Matariki Glow Worm walk and Hautapu at Bobs Bush Camp.
Waitākere Ranges Local Board chair Greg Presland is pleased the board can help bring the popular festival back to Arataki for the community.
“Matariki is a significant time in the Māori calendar, as it marks the start of the Māori New Year. New year celebrations will provide the opportunity for our community to come together to acknowledge the year gone by and make plans for the year ahead.
“Waitākere Ranges is renowned for its magnificent natural beauty. While looking for the nine stars of Matariki, it’ll be worthwhile to take a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the dark sky and value the natural darkness that helps protect our native wildlife and natural areas,” says Presland.
There was no Matariki programming at Arataki Visitor Centre last year as the centre was closed for ten months, due to road slips from Auckland anniversary floods and cyclone Gabrielle.
Arataki Visitor Services Team Leader Laura Peters appreciates the generous support from the board under the current finiancial environment.
“We’re grateful for the funding from the board. Arataki Visitor Centre re-opened in December after ten months’ waiting, and now we are especially excited to be able to come back with a bang.”
Matariki 2024 at Arataki
Matariki Whānau Day
Bring the whole family to Arataki Visitor Centre for a day of fun and learning to celebrate the Matariki season.
Participate in a range of interactive activities and crafts, each with a specific association to one of the nine whetu (stars) of Matariki. Weave harakeke, join in on whakari (storytelling) with our friends from Glen Eden and Titirangi libraries, enjoy some kai and much more!
Konohete Po – Music for Matariki
Come along to the Arataki Visitor Centre for a wonderful evening of music to celebrate Matariki. This konohete (concert) will feature local Maori musicians and performances, storytelling and art to honour this traditional time of coming together as a community.
Hautapu at Bobs Bush Camp
Join the Arataki Visitor Centre team for a dawn Hautapu ceremony at nearby Bobs Bush Camp.
Keep an eye on Arataki Visitor Centre’s Facebook page and look forward to a fantastic festival ahead.
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