Celebrating the magic of Matariki

Ka rere ngā purapura a Matariki. The seeds of Matariki are falling.

A special occasion for Kiwis, and a new public holiday this year, Matariki marks the start of the Māori New Year.

The Old School will celebrate with music, film, an additional market and creativity with clay. Lighting up the night with sound, a
Matariki/Winter Solstice celebration on Saturday 25 June will bring together Music, food and street theatre performers for a community celebration.

An additional Matariki Creative Market on Sunday 26 June will mark the occasion with craft, art, food, health and wellbeing.

Get creative with Matariki bowl painting workshops on Thursday 30 June and Saturday 2 July.

Two screenings of Whetū Mārama: Bright Star on Saturday 2 July is an opportunity for the community to learn about the story of Sir Hekenukumai Puhipi and his journey to rekindle the art of star voyages lost to Māori for 600 years.

Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, it is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present and plan for the year ahead. Appearing in the early morning sky during the mid-winter months, the stars were closely tied to the celebration of harvest, of gifting food, and planning or preparing the ground for the new year’s crops. If the stars
appeared clear and bright, it signified an abundant season ahead. Matariki has nine visible stars, which are named Matariki, Tupuārangi, Waipuna-ā-Rangi, Waitī, Tupuānuku, Ururangi, Waitā, Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi.

Events supported with funding from Waikato District Creative Communities Scheme and Matariki ki Waikato.