Foxton lit up by Puanga night lights
Crowds turn up to enjoy the celebrations
With the occasional shower on Friday the star cluster known as Matariki and its herald Puanga shone brightly over the Matariki celebration in Foxton.
People came in their droves from around the region to join in the celebrations on the night.
They enjoyed the plentiful food that was on offer from the food trucks which were on hand to cater for this spectacular event.
There was a children’s art competition about Matariki, which was well supported from Paraparaumu to Palmerston North.
The crowds were entertained not only by the light show, but from the Manakura kapa haka group, and a band called Nina Pilkington and the Mates Rates.
TANS Riverside Park marketing manager Arjan van der Boon said, “Our Matariki night lights over Foxton celebration was our biggest night ever with over 3000 people from all parts around the region.
“We had 13 food trucks who were busy most of the time, also with braziers and heat lamps to keep the people warm and only a bit of drizzle which was falling down occasionally.
“The library was full of people circling around from the art gallery to the museum, admiring displays of Ma¯ori weaponry and joining in poi workshops. The art exhibition Matariki Hunga Nui enjoyed a constant stream of visitors on the night.
“It was a great buzz with people from O¯ taki and Palmerston North, who were introduced to a new Foxton you could say. People who hadn’t been here for 10 years or more commented on how spectacular this evening was. They had a chance to see the beautiful cultural reserve that is here and Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom as a building. Hopefully those people will come back again.
“The highlight for me was the art competition for the kids, with about 250 entries from around the region, from afar as Paraparaumu to Longburn in Palmerston North, who all participated.
“These wonderful artworks were shown on the front of the building on a screen that we had created there. Foxton Beach school made a huge contribution, with over 100 entries,” Van der Boon said.