Matariki, or Māori New Year, will be celebrated this Friday, 24 June. Here are some of the most exciting events happening in Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty this weekend to make your celebration even more special and memorable.
Matariki at The Incubator Creative Hub
Tauranga Historic Village and The Incubator Creative Hub decided not to limit themselves to only one weekend of celebrations and launched a three-week long programme of exhibitions, cinema screenings, markets, events and workshops.
This Sunday, 26 June, for example, you can join an amazing portrait session (booking in advance is required!) – come alone or bring your whānau, let the team do your makeup, choose a costume from the ones supplied or wear your own kākahu, korowai, medals, kilts, clogs, sari or even Koro’s hat.
Prices start at $150 for an individual, plus $50 for each additional participant. Professional makeup is available for an extra $50 per person as well as a moko kauae stamp for an extra $15. Each individual or group will receive one edited image per person, plus two more. Additional photos will be $50 each and can be arranged on the day.
Check out their website for more information.
Thursday, 23 June – Kid’s Matariki Discovery Night Walk
Discover the moon, stars, beach and bush and learn about Matariki on this family-friendly walk in Ōhope! There will also be a torchlight book reading of The Little Kiwis Matariki by the book’s author herself Nikki Slade-Robinson! Each child will also receive a signed print from The Little Kiwi’s Matariki book with their ticket purchase.
The tickets are $23 for adults and $10.25 for kids under 16, or purchase a family pass for $54.25
Thursday, 23 June – Te Pō Kitakita: A Matariki Celebration
In Rotorua this weekend? Don’t miss the Matariki Celebration at The Arts Village! Live music, free tamariki/whānau art activities and an opportunity to share Matariki knowledge.
Guests at the event will also have access to the Matariki exhibition, Under the Stars, that will be open in the Wallis Gallery to view throughout the night.
Learn more on their website.
Friday, 24 June – Ngā Tohu Toi Mo Ngā Uri Iwi o Te Rohe o Tauranga Moana 2022
Join University of Waikato in Tauranga for their Inaugural Annual Art Awards for Tribal Descendants of the Tauranga Moana Region. This is going to be an awesome night of excellence, entertainment and community.
Tickets are $102.50
You might also like: The artists behind the University of Waikato Tauranga campus artworks.
Friday, 24 June – Matariki Rotorua 2022
Locals, visitors, and the whole whānau are invited to attend the city’s inaugural Matariki civic ceremony at Motutara Point (Sulphur Point). This event will provide the public an opportunity to participate in an umu kohukohu whetū ceremony – a traditional way Māori exercised reciprocity with the atua and stars.
An umu is made with different food which relate to the individual stars of Matariki. When the kai is cooked, it is placed on a tūāhu (platform), and the essence is enveloped into the steam. As the steam rises it feeds the stars of Matariki.
As part of the ceremony, people can speak the names of loved ones who passed the previous year and the names will travel upwards to become stars.
Friday, 24 June – Matariki Night Run
Come and ride the trains under the stars at Tauranga Memorial Park! It will be the first night run of the year – a moment not to be missed!
Checkout Memorial Park Railway’s Facebook page for more info.
Saturday, 25 June – Matariki Market Day
To celebrate Matariki, The Little Big Markets are running a Matariki market day on Saturday 25th June in Coronation Park.
It is an opportunity for all people of Aotearoa to come together and reflect on the year that has passed, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.
With a huge range of gourmet street food and food truck vendors, as well as a curated selection of stallholders for you to peruse… you won’t be short of things to do. There’ll be live music and lots of Matariki activities to entertain the little ones!
Saturday, 25 June – Matariki Planting for Penguins
Starting 10am, join Western Bay Wildlife Trust and TCC to plant for penguins during Matariki! Help them improve their habitat, reduce erosion and provide nesting cover and materials as they enter the breeding season.
For those really keen to get stuck in, there will be bags and gloves to pick up trash too!
At the end of planting you can join a shorebird education session for anyone interested in learning about our awesome local shorebirds.
All equipment and plants will be provided but you’re welcome to bring your own gloves and spades.
Sunday, 26 June – Te Ahurei Matariki ō Ōpōtiki – With Parson James & Maimoa
Celebrate Matariki with amazing performances, kai stalls and traditional Māori games in Ōpōtiki.
Parson James, Maimoa, The Modern Maori Quartet and The Harmonic Resonators are joining this year’s line up of hot international, national and local talent.
To round off the concert there will be an impressive fireworks display.
Tickets are $5.12 for adults and free for kids.
Learn more on their website.
Sunday, 26 June – Sacred Rose Women Circle – Navigating Transitions
From focus columnist and this year’s Health & Wellbeing seminar presenter comes this beautiful event for women.
In this circle you will create space to acknowledge your pain, honour your lessons learnt, hold space for your wounds, and celebrate the unfolding wisdom that is the reward of this process as you transition through the psychological and physical states of transformation throughout your life. Delve into ancient feminine practises to support this connection such as meditation/inner journeying, visualisation, feminine ritual, dance/ mindful movement, and song.
Check out the event’s page on Facebook.
