What’s on in O¯ tautahi Christchurch
Matariki brings communities together
The Rehua Marae Matariki Wha¯ nau Day, which has been running for more than a decade, returns tomorrow from 11am to 2pm.
Te Puni Ko¯ kiri Pou Whakahaere and Rehua Marae trustee Paula Rigby says the event started after the Christchurch earthquakes, which stopped the popular Nga¯ Hau e Wha¯ Marae’s Matariki events from going ahead. ‘‘Matariki is an important point of difference for us as Ma¯ ori to celebrate and reflect on how we think, feel and act.
‘‘Our focus for the Rehua Marae event is about providing a fun wha¯ nau event that brings families to the marae outside of it being a tangi,’’ she says.
‘‘It is also about opening the marae to our local community so they can experience it, as many are not Ma¯ ori. A lot of local people at the first one said they always wondered what happened on the other side of the fence.’’
The Wha¯ nau Day includes performances from local kapa haka groups, kai stalls and workshops with toi Ma¯ ori artists.
There will also be a mobile pounamu studio so people can make a pounamu taonga (greenstone) to take home.
Free concert and live-stream
A free concert celebrating Matariki will also be live-streamed for those keen to watch from the comfort of their own home.
The Matariki ki O¯ tautahi Celebration concert will be held at the James Hay Theatre from 10am to 2pm today and will be live-streamed on the Waka On Avon Facebook page.
Canterbury Ma¯ ori tourism operator David Brennan (Nga¯ i Tahu), who runs Waka On Avon and Ma¯ ori cultural experience Ko Ta¯ ne, says the event will celebrate the start of the Ma¯ ori New Year and the changing of seasons.
‘‘It is very heartening and positive to see Matariki and ma¯ tauranga Ma¯ ori being embraced and celebrated with a national public holiday,’’ he says.
‘‘Matariki is a time of new beginnings, of reflecting and remembering those who have passed, and significantly an opportunity to look to the future; and I think it is a signal that together our future in Aotearoa is bright.’’
The concert line-up includes kapa haka performances, bands and special guest host William Waiirua.
‘‘It feels great to be putting on a concert and performing to a live audience but we are also aware that some wha¯ nau will prefer to watch from home and that we can reach a national audience online, so we are also livestreaming the concert.’’
Family fun
Christchurch’s libraries are closed on the Matariki public holiday but a free Wha¯ nau Day at Tu¯ ranga library tomorrow will feature everything from colouring sheets to story times with Matariki ko¯ rero (stories) and waiata (songs). The free event is on from 10am to 2.30pm.
Other family friendly events this long weekend include inflatable fun at Taiora QEII on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm (general pool admission prices apply) and planting at the Rongoa¯ Garden at Pu¯ harakekenui/Styx River. Meet at 303 Radcliffe Rd at 10am to explore Te Waoku Kahikatea Reserve before mucking in.
Matariki weekend markets
The Garden City Ma¯ kete returns today with a special Matariki-themed market.
It will include a light show throughout the venue, more than 70 local stallholders, including Ma¯ ori artists and craftspeople, food trucks, and a bar offering alcoholic (18+) and non-alcoholic drinks. The market is open from 4pm to 10pm at the Milton St Substation (259 Milton St, Sydenham).
The Tannery will host a special Matariki food market from 4pm to 8pm tomorrow. Visitors can dine together under the stars in the atrium, choosing from the shopping centre’s range of cafes and restaurants or local food trucks. The event, free to enter, will include entertainment and live music.
The Paul Paul Comedy Night
Popular comedians Paul Ego and Paul Douglas are hitting the road together for a two-hour showcase called The Paul Paul Comedy Night.
Ego has more than 25 years of comedy experience and is well known from his years on TV panel show 7 Days and as the voice of Stickman for Pak ‘n Save. Douglas won best live show and best gag at the 2019 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, and has appeared on 7 Days, The Project, and TVNZ’s Comedy Gala.
The Paul Paul Comedy Night is at Loons Lyttelton on July 21, Papa Hou in Christchurch on July 22, the Rangiora Town Hall on July 23, and The Grand Hotel Akaroa on July 24.
Tickets $30 to $40 from Kiwiticket.