Below are a selection of events held around New Zealand celebrating Matariki. Follow the web links to see the full listings.

NOTE: If you know of events we have missed, please get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.

Online/nationwide

Matariki Dawn Karakia

20 June

Waikato-Tainui continue as iwi manaaki of Matariki Festival and will lead the karakia to open the festival for 2020. The blessing will commemorate those who have passed, acknowledge those who remain and plan for the approaching seasons as we welcome the new year with karanga, karakia, waiata and kotahitanga.

The karakia will be live-streamed via the Matariki Festival Facebook page.

For more information: www.matarikifestival.org.nz/2020/matariki-dawn-karakia/

Panel Talk for Matariki on Health and Well-being

15 July

Ngā mihi o te tau hou! Join Tāmaki Paenga Hira online to celebrate Matariki 2020 with a discussion on hauora (health and wellbeing) based around the Māori health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā. Welcome the Māori new year by focusing on the holistic way that health is viewed in the Māori world.

For more information: www.matarikifestival.org.nz/2020/panel-talk-for-matariki-on-health-and-well/

Mana Moana Digital Ocean | Mana Moana

Launching on 17 July this brings together 19 leading artists, musicians and poets from across Aotearoa for a new online collection of multimedia and video art in Mana Moana Volume 2: Digital Ocean, an immersive web-based digital gallery experience.

For more information: www.manamoana.co.nz

Auckland

Ngā Whetū O Matariki

25 June–15 July

Join Stardome for a live, presenter-led Matariki kōrero under the planetarium stars. You’ll hear about ngā whetū (the stars), ngā aorangi (the planets), Maramataka (lunar cycle) and the many stories written in our night skies passed down from generation to generation.

Venue: Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland

For more information: www.stardome.org.nz/show/nga-whetu-o-matariki/

Beginning, Ending, Transformation

20 June–15 July

As a new decade unfolds the Earth is acknowledged, and as Matariki rises in the night sky we take time to reflect on what has been, contemplate the present and plan the year ahead. This exhibition celebrates historical connections and the relationships between people and cultures through the use of textile and wood.

Venue: Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson, Auckland

For more information: www.matarikifestival.org.nz/2020/beginning-ending-transformation/

Hīkoi ki Muriwai

20 June

Feel the wairua of Muriwai through hīkoi and kōrero. Enjoy a guided walk with Māori park rangers as they share history and stories about caring for Papatūānuku at Muriwai.

Venue: Muriwai Regional Park, Maukatia Bay, Waitea Road car park, Muriwai

For more information and to book: www.matarikifestival.org.nz/2020/hikoi-ki-muriwai/

He whakaahua o ngā whetū

26 June–25 July

Richie Toa Mills has done a star turn as dancer, dj, and now director of photography. And as a multi-disciplined artist, his mahi is a perfect match for showing at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku. For this exhibition he has created a series of night sky photographs that demonstrate the cool, massive and silent beauty of dark skies in Aotearoa. By focussing his lens on the constellations, Mills has produced a suite of astrophotography worth staying up all night for – so you don’t have to.

Venue: Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, Corner of Orly Ave and Bader Drive, Māngere

For more information: www.facebook.com/events/266228007916572/

Waikato

Horahia Matariki

Horahia Matariki is the Wintec festival. It means a display of the constellation of Matariki. It is also a reference to the seven pou whakarae (pillars) representing the star cluster and is displayed at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae on the Wintec Hamilton City Campus.

This year, the theme is ‘Manaaki Tangata – Caring for our future’ and celebrates the resilience through the challenges we have faced in 2020. Come and celebrate the new year with our stellar line-up.

Find out more here: www.wintec.ac.nz/horahia-matariki

Matariki at Waikato Museum

26 July

Matariki in the Museum is an interactive day where you can take part, listen, learn, watch, make and take something meaningful about Matariki (Maaori New Year) away with you.

Venue: Waikato Museum, 1 Grantham Street, South end of Victoria Street, Hamilton

For more information: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/2145883463/matariki-at-waikato-museum

Napier

Te Takanga o te Rā o te Takurua Winter Solstice

Atea a rangi have daily 6:00am viewings of Matariki from 21–26 June

Venue: Atea a rangi, Waitangi Regional Park near Awatoto, Napier

For more information: www.atea.nz/

Wellington

Kia Whakanui i a Matariki

4 July–18 July

Capital E will be host to a series of Matariki activities that acknowledge and celebrate the Māori New Year. PlayHQ will present three unique performances/workshops that engage young tamariki through taonga puoro (Māori musical instruments), kōrero paki (storytelling) and kanikani (dance).

Venue: PlayHQ, Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington

For more information: www.capitale.org.nz/event/kia-whakanui-i-a-matariki/

Matariki, Myth and Māori stories with Moira Wairama

10 am, 15 July

Join Wellington Storyteller Moira Wairama as she performs a selection of story and song as part of Matariki. She will reveal some of the meaning and interpretation of Matariki and the actions that we can take at this very special time of the year. Free and suitable for all ages.

Venue: Te Tiritiri o Papatūānuku (ground floor of ZEALANDIA Visitor Centre), end of Waiapu road, Kaori, Wellington

For more information: www.visitzealandia.com/Events/ArtMID/2271/ArticleID/284/Matariki-Myth-and-M%c4%81ori-Stories-with-Moira-Wairama

Te Papa

Te Papa has a range of displays, activities and online offerings during Matariki.

Venue: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington

For more information: www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/matariki-maori-new-year