OUT OF THIS WORLD
Making the most of Matariki
We still have one more year to wait until Matariki becomes an official public holiday, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate now. ‘‘Matariki’’ refers to the star cluster also known as Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters.
The stars can be seen most of the year, except for a period at the beginning of the cold months, when they disappear from view.
Their reappearance in the pre-dawn sky in the middle of winter heralds the beginning of a new year.
It can be difficult to see Matariki clearly from some parts of the country, so some iwi use a different star as their signal.
The tribes of Whanganui, Taranaki, parts of the Far North, and parts of the South Island recognise the rise of Puanga (Rigel in Orion), which appears around the same time as Matariki.
Matariki is a holiday for all New Zealanders, and there is no one way to celebrate.
In essence, it’s a time for gathering with friends and wha¯ nau to reflect on the year that has been, enjoy the present, and look forward to the year ahead.
If you want to get involved and learn more about Matariki, here’s a guide to what’s happening around the country over the next month to mark the Ma¯ ori New Year.
Whanga¯rei
A series of cultural events will take place throughout June and July as part of Matariki Festival Whanga¯ rei. Highlights include night sky tours at Planetarium North, a family-friendly movie screening of Moana followed by fireworks at Semenoff Stadium, a wha¯ nau day and market, and the 11-day Northern Lights Festival on the Tutuka¯ ka¯ Coast. wdc.govt.nz
Auckland
Ta¯ maki Makaurau is ringing in the Ma¯ ori New Year with a huge Matariki Festival from June 19 to July 11. The festival will open with a Matariki Dawn Karakia at Takaparawhau/Bastion Point, with a packed programme of events for all ages, including the Manu Aute Kite Day, a light display on Auckland Harbour Bridge, and a night of music and dancing under the Matariki stars. matarikifestival.org.nz
Waikato
The Matariki Ki Waikato festival takes place from June 11 to July 31, with events across the region spanning the arts, music, hauora (health), taiao (nature), and education, including a family kite day at Hamilton Gardens, the Te Ruru Light Festival, cultural workshops, a market day and more. matarikiwaikato.nz
Tauranga
Tauranga will come alive with a full programme of events throughout June and July, including early morning hı¯koi up Mauao, art exhibitions, workshops, Ma¯ ori film screenings, a village market celebrating kaupapa Ma¯ ori and sustainability at The Historic Village on June 27, and a kite day at Fergusson Park on July 4. mymatariki.co.nz
Waitomo
Waitomo will celebrate Matariki with a new festival from July 3 to July 10 in the famous Waitomo Caves. Visitors will be able to enjoy free and paid events, including art exhibitions, twilight tours, unique dining experiences, and a special music performance within the caves’ spectacular ‘‘cathedral’’ chamber. waitomo.com
Rotorua
Rotorua is marking Matariki with a number of free events. Find out more about Matariki by checking out a special exhibition at Rotorua Library from June 21 to July 11, or head to the Rotorua Farmers’ Market on July 4 at 11am, to learn about the foods of Matariki, with kai samples included. On July 10, decorate your bike with fairy lights and reflectors, and head to the Redwood Forest for a fun Matariki night ride from 5pm to 7pm. rotoruanui.nz
Hastings
A free Matariki celebration will take place on June 25 at Flaxmere Village Green, from 5pm to 8pm, with singers, dancers, kapa haka, and kai. Visitors can write a message of love on a lantern and join a procession of lights, before the event concludes with a fireworks display. facebook.com/kahungunu
Wellington
Celebrate Matariki in the capital at the Ahi Ka¯ event on the waterfront on July 2 and July 3, featuring ahi (fire), kai (food), storytelling, waiata (song), and entertainment across the evenings. The Matariki Fireworks display on Wellington Harbour will take place at 6.30pm on July 10. wellington.govt.nz
Nelson
Nelson’s Matariki Festival will take place in Founders Heritage Park on July 3. From 4pm to 8pm, enjoy stalls selling food and drink, and Ma¯ ori arts and crafts, entertainment from kapa haka groups, a performance from singer-songwriter Sianne Dougherty (Nga¯ i Tahu, Nga¯ ti Tu¯ wharetoa), and a fireworks display at 7pm. our.nelson.govt.nz
Christchurch
Matariki will be celebrated in O¯ tautahi this year with the inaugural Tı¯rama Mai event, a two-week lights festival from June 25 to July 10. Tı¯rama Mai, which means to illuminate or bring light, will see the central city and New Brighton lit up with installations, projections and illuminated artworks from 6pm to 11pm each night. The event will conclude with a fireworks display in New Brighton on July 10. ccc.govt.nz
Wa¯naka
Wa¯ naka will celebrate Matariki at the Dinosaur Park from 2.30pm to 6pm on June 19 with a community ha¯ ngi, bonfires, entertainment, and a fireworks display. lakewanaka.co.nz
Dunedin
O¯ tepoti’s Puaka Matariki Festival will take place from July 2 to July 16, with community events, including shared feasts, visual arts, music and dance performance, and educational programmes presented by the city’s galleries, libraries, archives and museums. matarikidunedin.co.nz
Invercargill
The Murihiku (Southland) Matariki Festival will take place in Queens Park, from July 2 to 6. From 5.45pm to 10pm daily, visitors can enjoy light installations, community art displays, workshops, and entertainment. facebook.com/murihikumatariki
Spotlight on. . . Dark Sky Project
One of the best places in New Zealand to learn more about our night sky is the Dark Sky Project in Takapo¯ (Tekapo), in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and winter is a particularly good time to visit.
‘‘The sky is often clearest and darkest during the cooler months, especially when there is no moon,’’ Dark Sky Project business manager Jared Simcox says. ‘‘It gets dark very early, and we’re able to observe the night sky through thin, dark, cold air, which makes for crisper images through the telescopes.’’
But as well as admiring the stars as part of Dark Sky Project’s Summit Experience at Mt John Observatory, visitors can have an introduction to Ma¯ ori astronomical knowledge.
Formerly known as Earth & Sky, Dark Sky Project launched its new name and a newly built lakefront astronomy centre in July 2019, after partnering with Nga¯ i Tahu Tourism. This partnership with the South Island’s biggest iwi also resulted in an astro-tourism experience combining science and ta¯ tai aroraki (Ma¯ ori astronomy).
The 45-minute indoor Dark Sky Experience includes a film about the world’s creation, narrated by Hiwa-i-te-rangi, one of the nine stars of the Matariki star cluster.
Another highlight of the tour involves visitors looking down upon the stars reflected in a digital projected lake, representing one of the ways Ma¯ ori historically read the stars.
‘‘Ma¯ ori and Pasifika ancestors had sophisticated knowledge of the night sky, which they used for practical purposes, like gathering kai, as well as navigation across vast oceans and landscapes,’’ Simcox says.
‘‘They also have a deep spiritual connection through whakapapa and creation stories with the stars.
‘‘Dark Sky Project has been privileged to learn from experts who have spent a lot of time sharing their history and knowledge of Nga¯ i Tahu whakapapa, pu¯ ra¯ kau (legends) and other hapu¯ (clan) views and understandings. We weave these into the whole experience where we can, continuing to develop ways to showcase Te Ao Ma¯ ori.’’