E koa ana a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau me tōna hoa patui, me Ngāti Tamaoho, ki te pānui i te rārangi o ngā kaupapa o Te Taiopenga o Matariki 2024, hei te 15 – 30 o Hune.
Auckland Council and iwi partner Ngāti Tamaoho are pleased to announce the line-up of events for Matariki Festival 2024, 15 - 30 June.
Neke atu i te 90 ngā kaupapa e pai ana mā te whānau ka whakaaturia i te hōtaka o te taiopenga, tekau mā ono rā tōna roa, puta noa i Tāmaki Makaurau, ka mutu, he maha tonu e utu-kore ana, e iti noa iho ana rānei te utu, e pai ai tā ngā tāngata o Tāmaki Makaurau whai haere i te kaupapa o Matariki.
The 16 day-long festival offers a programme of over 90 whānau-friendly events throughout Tāmaki Makaurau, many of which are free or low-cost, for Aucklanders and visitors to embrace the spirit of Matariki.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown encourages all to get out and experience Matariki during this year’s festival.
“Matariki events allow people to reflect and welcome in the Māori New Year, and let people learn more about te ao Māori,” says Mayor Brown.
"I enjoyed last year's dawn ceremony and I encourage people to get out and welcome in the Māori New Year with Ngāti Tamaoho, who will be delivering Matariki Festival for the next three years.”
This year’s festival theme focuses on te whenua (land) and te taiao (environment) to remind us of our connection to our natural surroundings, Matariki and our responsibilities as kaitiaki (guardians).
Ngāti Tamaoho Trust CEO Matekino Marshall (Waikato) is looking forward to sharing their iwi’s unique traditions this Matariki season.
"Ngāti Tamaoho, in partnership with Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau, look forward to hosting this year’s Matariki Festival with a range of events across the city,” he says.
“The events are designed to provide an opportunity for all Aucklanders to experience the joys of this time of year, and to gain a better understanding of our taiao and our connections to it, both physical and spiritual.”
Experience the wairua (spirit) of karakia being recited by tāngata whenua Ngāti Tamaoho just before dawn breaks atop Pukekohekohe for Matariki i te Maunga; witness the vibrant colours of wind-swept kites as they take to Rangi (the sky) in front of Ngā Hau e Whā o Pukekohe Marae at the Whakarewa Manu Tukutuku Kite Day; and learn about the role whakapapa plays in art and nature - and research ways to find out more about your own family history at Auckland Botanic Gardens during Te hui Ahurei o Matariki / Matariki Festival Day.
This year’s Matariki Festival will have more than 90 events across Tāmaki Makaurau, with the five pou events highlighting key days in the festival as determined by the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).
Head to matarikifestival.org.nz for full event listings and check out our highlights across weeks one and two of the festival to plan your Matariki Festival itinerary.
Matariki i te Maunga & Matariki i te Marae (15 June) is a pre-dawn ceremony led by Ngāti Tamaoho rōpū (group) Kura Waka on Pukekohekohe. Take part in karakia that fills the morning skies as we come together to acknowledge and celebrate Matariki. Join us at Ngā Hau e Whā o Pukekohe Marae as the celebrations continue with a pōwhiri, parakuihi (breakfast), kapa haka, and a feature performance from New Zealand Dance Company. Matariki i te Maunga begins at 5.30am at Pukekohekohe, followed by a pōwhiri at Ngā Hau e Whā o Pukekohe Marae from 8am.
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, 22 June.
Matariki i te Aorangi (22 June and 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. On at Auckland Botanic Gardens on 22 June: 7pm-9pm, and 24 June: 5am-7am.
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! Celebrate Māori creativity with taonga pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments), kairaranga (weavers), kaiwhakairo (carvers) and mirimiri (massage), alongside a mākete Māori (Māori market), info stalls, food trucks, a top line up of performances and a special tātai whakapapa symposium. Attend a rangahau (research session) to uncover tools to discover your own genealogy and learn how whakapapa informs all facets of life.
E kitea ai tētahi kaupapa i Te Taiopenga o Matariki e tū tata ana ki a koe, toro atu ki: matarikifestival.org.nz
To find a Matariki Festival event happening near you, go to matarikifestival.org.nz
Matariki tuia ngā whetū, tuia ngā tāngata
Matariki weaver of the stars, weaver of the people
