News

Matariki Celebrations

25 June 2024

The Māori New Year has always been celebrated with the rise of the star cluster Matariki. It marks the beginning of the Aotearoa/Pacific New Year according to the lunar calendar. Stars of the Matariki cluster set on 31 Mei / May. They rise from 29 Hune | June and this period will last until 6 Hūrae | July. The public holiday of Matariki is on Friday 28 June 2024.

The full name of Matariki is “Ngā mata a te ariki Tawhirimātea” – the eyes of the Ariki Tāwhirimātea. This star cluster known as by many names throughout the world. Its Greek name is Pleiades. It is also known in western astronomy as Messier 45. In Hawai’i it is called “Makali’l – eyes of the king”, in Denmark it is known as “the evening hen”, and in South Africa its name means “the stars of rain”. It is known as Subaru in Japan, which is also a name of a make of car which has a group of stars as its logo.

There are a number of opportunities locally to connect with other members of your community and celebrate this special time. A selection of them are shown in the posters below, highlighting the amazing mahi of these groups serving the community through offering these events that bring our neighbourhoods to life.

Richmond Poster

The Richmond Community Garden site will be buzzing with activities including some awesome local kapa haka groups, then live music from the fabulous Lisa Tui. For the first half they have games and crafts, and the ever-popular toasted marshmallows, fried bread, hot chocolate and mulled not-wine to tide people over until the sun begins to set and the hāngī rises!

Phillipstown Poster

Celebrate Matariki and community with Phillipstown Community Hub. There will be a free communal hāngī, storytelling, ceremony, live music, waiata, food stalls and a night mākete. Everyone is welcome. Find them at 39 Nursery Rd, Phillipstown.

Rehua Poster

Join Māori Library Services at Rehua Marae on Springfield Road, St Albans for more storytelling, crafts and Matariki activities. Kai and craft stalls are available, so there’s bound to be something for the whole whānau.

Arts Centre event

This event is part of Matariki 2024, celebrating Matariki with talented artists from Ōtautahi and beyond. Bring your friends and whānau to Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre (17 - 30 Pipiri June) for music, exhibitions, kapa haka, wānanga (workshops), kai, light installations, special mākete and much more.