In celebration of Matariki, Tauranga Moana will come alive from early June with a full programme of events to welcome the Māori New Year.
Matariki is a special time in the Māori calendar with a focus on festivity – a time for singing, dancing and feasting. This year we celebrate ‘mauri’ – the importance of honouring relationships with the natural world and promoting the health and essence of all living beings.
Residents and visitors will be spoilt for choice with more than 30 events across Tauranga Moana. The programme, which is in its 17th year, will begin with an uku clay workshop on Saturday, 2 June and finish with a garment exhibition on Friday, 6 July. In between, there will be a number of exhibitions, live performances, workshops and family-friendly events for all to enjoy.
Listen to a lecture for adults or storytelling for young ones. Take part in a workshop for flax work, bone carvings or musical instruments. Go to a live music concert or an entertaining stage show. Head along to the whānau day at the base of Mauao or fly your kite high at Fergusson Park. Go on a two-day cultural training course or join an interactive workshop for rangatahi (youth).
Take part and discover the significance of Matariki with whānau and friends. All event details and booking information is available at www.mymatariki.co.nz
Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as the Pleiades. In the first few days of June, we can observe Matariki rise in the north-eastern horizon just before dawn. The first new moon following the rise of Matariki is the first day of the Māori New Year.
The Tauranga Moana Matariki 2018 programme of events is proudly brought to you and supported by Baycourt, Creative Bay of Plenty, Department of Conservation, EmployNZ, the Incubator, Ngai Te Rangi, Tauranga City Council, Tauranga City Libraries, Te Puna i Rangiriri Trust and Youth Service.