People are invited to take part in a culturally inclusive community event in east Auckland held to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year.
The Labour Government moved to officially recognise Matariki as a public holiday last year.
Then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the time it’s the “first distinctly New Zealand public holiday”.
“This is a special day not only for Aotearoa but globally as we celebrate our first authentically Maori public holiday, which has been met with overwhelming support,” she said.
“Today we take another meaningful step forward in understanding what makes us unique as a country and what holds us together as a nation.”
A free Matariki Festival is being staged at O Wairoa Marae, beside Uxbridge Arts and Culture, in Howick on June 17.
It’s the perfect location given the marae wharenui (meeting house) is also named ‘Matariki’.
The event is being run by the Te Tuhi art gallery in Pakuranga.
Executive director Hiraani Himona says it’s taken on administration of the marae in the past year.
The marae had been managed by respected local kuia (female elder) Taini Drummond since 1984.
“I asked Taini four months ago what she does on a day-to-day basis and what she really wants to do,” Himona says.
“She said she really wants to do a Matariki Festival and I said ‘okay, that’s what we’re going to do then’.
“What Taini wanted was to have a big event and bring all of the communities around the marae together to celebrate.”
The day features a wide range of activities for families and people of all ethnicities, cultures, and ages.
Drummond will be in the wharenui showing films and telling stories about Matariki, both the star cluster and the marae which bears its name.
“We’ve got an all-day barbecue and in the Uxbridge theatre there will be an interactive dance workshop,” Himona says.
“Touch Compass, which is a disability performing arts company, is doing a Matariki workshop in the morning.
“There will be Chinese dance groups, the Sowers Trust is bringing their kids to do some Pasifika performances, and at the end of the day school kapa haka groups will take over the theatre.”
Accomplished local artist and Te Tuhi principal cultural advisor Carla Ruka says people will be able to learn about te ao Māori and experience a range of traditional and contemporary activities, including games and weaponry.
There will be floral, lantern and dumpling workshops and people can have a go at clay-making, puoro wind instruments, raranga traditional weaving and poi.
“The food is going to be incredible,” Ruka says.
“This festival is very community-led with lots of supporters and volunteers contributing their strengths.
“We love the opportunity for people to interact on a cultural level with Maori within this area.
“We think that’s really important and people want that connection.
“This festival provides an opportunity for people to be involved and participate or just watch.
“They don’t have to take part in the activities, but it’s a good way to participate on all levels and hopefully gain some more understanding and be part of the community.”
The free Matariki Festival is at O Wairoa Marae, 35-37 Uxbridge Road, Howick, from 10am-4pm on June 17.
It’s presented by O Wairoa Marae, Te Tuhi, Arts Out East, International Women’s Association of New Zealand – Te Huinga Wāhine Manatōpū o Aotearoa, Uxbridge Arts and Culture, and Howick Library.
