Presented by Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Council and iwi partner Ngāti Tamaoho, Matariki Festival provides a space for communities to come together to reflect on and celebrate this special time of year.
Chosen from over 90 events, here are highlights from the festival’s second week and closing weekend, 24 – 30 June. Mānawatia a Matariki!
See the full festival line-up at matarikifestival.org.nz.
Whakarewa Manu Tukutuku Kite Day (22 June) is an opportunity for whānau and communities to come together and send messages of aroha into the sky. Enjoy the challenge of making a traditional kite or bring your own, and revel in the spectacle of high-flying kites in a fun-filled day for the whole whānau! Alongside the dazzling display, there will be plenty of kai to purchase, as well as Matariki-focused kōrero, music, kapa haka, and a special performance from music group Aro. Held at Ngā Hau e Whā o Pukekohe Marae from 11am – 3pm, Saturday 22 June.
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki / Matariki Festival Day (28 June) takes over Auckland Botanic Gardens for a full day of fun activities to celebrate the Matariki public holiday! Visit our demonstrations with kairaranga (weavers), kōrero with kaiwhakairo (carvers) and enjoy mirimiri (massage), alongside a spectacular mākete Māori (Māori market) featuring Rerehua Boutique, Jeanine Clarkin, Tawhiao7, Taonga artists, environment and gardening info stalls and delicious Māori kai food trucks. Also on offer is a top line-up of Aotearoa musicians including te reo rock band KIKO, reggae dancehall sensation Rubi Du, kapa haka with Manurewa High School, spoken word artists Rehekōrero, rapper Naavii, rangatahi collective Mahuika’s Fire, Rebel Reid, Valkyrie and a spectacular lightshow finale from Soulstorm! On at Auckland Botanic Gardens, 28 June, 11.30am – 6pm.
Photo: James Webster of Tahaa – Tā Moko Studio & Arts is taking part in Tātai Whakapapa - Matariki.
Tātai Whakapapa – Matariki (June 28) taking place at Te hei Ahurei Matariki / Matariki Festival Day is a special whakapapa symposium that looks at the role whakapapa plays in te ao Māori. Celebrate Māori culture with taonga pūoro artist James Webster (traditional Māori musical instruments); attend a rangahau (research session) to uncover tools to discover your own genealogy and learn how whakapapa informs all facets of life; and sit in on panel discussions on topics ranging from family taonga with special objects and textiles expert Kararaina Te Ira to Matariki kōrero and living the Matariki way with Brendan Moses. On at Auckland Botanic Garden’s Huakaiwaka visitor centre during Te hui Ahurei o Matariki / Matariki Festival Day, 28 June,12 – 6pm.
Matariki i te Aorangi (22 & 24 June), learn more about tātai arorangi (Māori astronomy) and get an up-close view of the Matariki star cluster with Skylab. Listen and watch as your hosts observe Matariki and highlight other important celestial bodies in the night sky, accompanied by a lush soundscape of taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments). With two viewing opportunities available, don’t miss the chance to connect with the stars and learn more about te ao Māori this Matariki season. Held at Auckland Botanic Gardens, 22 June: 7pm-9pm, and 24 June: 5am-7am.
Photo: Katchafire are performing at Matariki i Papakura.
Matariki i Papakura (30 June) get ready to groove in this special free Matariki concert where music, culture and community come together to celebrate the Matariki season. Featuring an eclectic line-up of Māori and Pasifika artists including Katchafire, Savage, Annie Crummer, Rei and more - Matariki i Papakura promises to be a feel-good party for all ages to attend. Close out the long weekend with dancing, kai and celebration at Matariki i Papakura - on at Central Park Papakura, from 12 to 4pm, 30 June.
Matariki Ahunga Nui (28 June) celebrates Matariki with friends and whānau at Matariki Ahunga Nui, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Write your dreams and aspirations to place on the Hiwa-i-te-rangi tree, participate in poi making, join in Waiata Manahau, a waiata singalong with Jordyn Rapana, and enjoy kapa haka, kai and performances. This event is free at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on 28 June, from 10am – 5pm.
Matariki Twilight Markets (28 June) presents live performances, local art, tasty food and craft stalls at Takapuna’s Lake House Arts Centre. Enjoy an evening filled with community spirit and cultural festivities under the stars on the public holiday, 28 June, from 4-8pm, and make sure you check out a special Matariki art exhibition Whakaaturanga Whānau Toi o te Whare Roto Exhibition, also on at Lake House Arts Centre from 22 June – 5 July.
Photo: Matariki with Che Fu & The Kratez
Matariki with Ché-Fu & The Kratez (27 June) Spend Matariki with the Auckland Philharmonia and one of Aotearoa’s coolest and best-known hip hop, R&B and reggae artists – Ché-Fu! A pioneer of hip hop and Pasifika music in Aotearoa, Che has more top ten songs than any individual in the country’s music history. Don’t miss the chance to hear Ché-Fu & The Kratez perform his classics ‘Fade Away’, ‘Misty Frequencies’, ‘Hold Tight’ and many others, reimagined with full symphonic styling and the power of a 70-piece orchestra. Get in quick – tickets can be booked at aucklandphil.nz.
MATA-FRIKI (22 June) is a fun twilight event for the whānau to have a collective kanikani (dance) on a large-scale dancefloor. In recognition of the promise of new beginnings that comes with Matariki and te Tau Hou Māori (Māori New Year), we invite you to come and experience an elevated whakamana (movement for Joy) class with Māori contemporary dance artist Tiaki Kerei (Jack Gray). Join in the fun at Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson, 5pm, 22 June and head to ceac.org.nz for more Matariki-themed events.
Rongoā Māori Workshop (22 June, 14 July) is the opportunity to hear from renowned rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing) practitioner Donna Kerridge (Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Mahuta) as she shares the tenets of rongoā Māori. In this Matariki-themed session, Donna will explore the philosophy of Māori medicine and how we can apply it to our everyday care and wellbeing. Two sessions are available on 22 June and 14 July. Tickets are $20, available at studioone.org.nz.
Matariki tuia ngā whetū, tuia ngā tāngata
(Matariki weaver of the stars, weaver of the people)
