June 24, 2022 marks the very first public holiday celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year. It begins with the rising of the star cluster of the same name with festivities in abundance every year!
Check out how you can celebrate during your long weekend this year - from markets to light shows, live music and kapa haka all taking place as part of Matariki ki te Manawa in the city centre.
Te Pā Harakeke | Britomart, June 24, 10am - 4pm
Celebrate the Matariki public holiday with all-day musical performances, Māori food trucks, and a vibrant market of Māori arts and crafts in Takutai Square. Entry is free - check out the full programme and list of performers and food vendors, here.
Pakiata Matariki | From June 24, every evening from 6pm
Celebrate Matariki and learn all about the Matariki story with Pakiata Matariki in Te Komititanga, presented by Heart of the City, Auckland Council, Commercial Bay and Britomart. The headline attraction for Matariki ki te Manawa, Pakiata Matariki is a large scale projected light show that will illuminate the entire Chief Post Office building in downtown Auckland, spanning 55 metres wide and 32 metres high. Discover the deeper significance of Matariki and learn about each of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster - an attraction for the whole family! Shows are every 15 minutes with the last show commencing at 9.00pm. See more here.
Explore large-scale installations on Queen Street for Tūrama
Grab a picture by a giant waharoa and come face to face with an 8 metre high representation of resident kaitiaki Horotiu, two of the art and light installations crossing over Queen Street as part of Matariki ki te Manawa. Prepare to be amazed at the celebration of light, form, scale and life that has been developed. See more here.
Check out a Light Show at the Sky Tower | June 24, 5pm - 7pm
To signify the first time Matariki is being celebrated as a public holiday, head to the SkyCity Matariki hub from 5-7pm to learn all about the nine stars, get amongst some amazing kai, dance under the Matariki stars while enjoying Mai FM DJ’s live and go in the draw to win some awesome Matariki prizes.
At 6pm the Sky Tower will light up the Tāmaki Makaurau skyline in partnership with The Breeze Auckland, with a 15-minute light display to iconic kiwi songs, kicking off with Pepeha by Six60. Sing-along to five tracks while watching the Sky Tower’s LED lights move to the beat. Visitors can learn about the nine Matariki stars by walking around the Sky Tower legs and be invited to turn their loved ones into ngā whetū (stars) in the night sky by placing a sticker in remembrance on the Pōhutukawa wall within the SkyCity Atrium.
Matariki Ahunga Nui | Auckland Art Gallery, June 24
Celebrate Matariki with friends and whānau at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on June 24 with a free event for all ages. Listen to live waiata (songs), eat kai (food), shop at te mākete (the market), and keep the tamariki busy making poi and craft inspired by Matariki. Renowned choreographer and dancer Taane Mete will also be performing as well as on other dates and times - see more here.
Wild Streets Festival of Play | Amey Daldy Park, June 24
A great one-day event to take the kids along to, join in for a day full of outdoor games and activities from different cultures all around the world. From 10am-2pm, enjoy a whole series of games for kids, parents and playful grown-ups - pirates, bees, chickens and more - active games, strategic games and everything in-between, and then from 6pm to 9pm comes 'games for grown-ups' - games specifically designed for playful grown-ups. It will be dark by then, so be prepared for some special adventures. See more here.
Vans Matariki Custom Workshop | Vans on Queen St, June 24, 11am - 4pm
Vans will be hosting a custom workshop at its Queen Street store in honour of Matariki. The chosen artist for this month is Haser, who has collaborated with Vans to create a beautiful custom tote bag design that will be displayed in the store. All members of the public are welcome to come in and customise their own tote bag, with Haser on hand to provide custom artworks for visitors to take away or create in-store. Haser has also created flash sheets with unique designs that are able to be used not only on the tote bags, but any pair of shoes purchased in-store. Alternatively, all members of the public are invited to bring an old pair of Vans from home to be customised by Haser on the day too.