To do this weekend

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MATARIKI: There are lots of events on to celebrate Matariki. Here are a few: Matariki Pēwhairangi Bay of Islands is packed with events to feed your mind, body, and soul. Story-telling, cultural experiences, Matariki-inspired feasts, artisan markets, music, family fun and some of the best stargazing opportunities in the land. Go to matarikinz.com for all the details.

On Sunday Pompallier Mission free exhibition and talk is an exhibition of some of the earliest known examples of Māori engagement with writing and drawing on paper from 1793 to 1835 will take place. Today the Te Kopuru Matariki Festival is on 3pm at the Te Kopuru Boating Club If you're looking to do something for Matariki enjoy fun games, a free barbecue, live music, a Circus Kumarani fire show and more at the Kaipara celebrations. Just remember to bring a chair, snacks, drinks, and warm clothes.

At Ahipara there is a night festival with light displays, treasure hunt, night food market, concert and kapa haka, Korora St Park, 5.30pm-10.30pm.

Tomorrow at Waitangi there is an open day, free entry to Treaty Grounds, 9am-5pm;

Taonga pūoro (traditional musical instruments), Whare Rūnanga, Treaty Grounds, all day.

Ahipara and Hikurangi are also hosting festivals packed with events ranging from a classic car parade to a history walk up a maunga.

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STAR GAZING: As well as the Matariki stars being visible at the moment you can catch the rare sight of the alignment of five of the planets this month. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will align, along with the Moon, in sequential order from the sun. Stargazers will be able to see this rare alignment about 30 minutes before sunrise with binoculars and an unobstructed view. They will remain in the sky all month. 4

STREAMING: One of the many “based on real events” dramas out now,We Crashed features Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway playing startup We Work's Adam and Rebekah Neumann. It's car-crash TV, especially because you know it won't end well. On Apple TV+.

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READ: Mean Baby by Selma Blair (Little Brown, $38). She’s been Vivian in Legally Blonde and muse to Karl Lagerfeld. The celeb memoir is often something of a guilty pleasure, but this sits as a sensitive, revealing reflection in that category, from memories of her childhood to her struggles with multiple sclerosis.