Celebrate Matariki with friends and whānau at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. At this free event, enjoy live performances of kapa haka, spoken word poetry and the soulful sounds of Majic Pāora. Join for a waiata singalong, purchase kai and make craft inspired by Matariki!
What to expect
Poi Making | 10am-5pm
Make your own poi out of wool and recycled materials!
Hiwa-i-te-rangi - Wishing Tree | 10am-5pm
Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star of Matariki that is associated with making wishes come true! What wish will you make for the next year? Cut out your star and write down your wish to hang on the wishing tree.
Spoken Word Workshop for Rangatahi | Members Lounge, Level 2 | 11am-12.30pm
Join Poetry Slam champ Ngaio Simmons (Ngāti Porou) for a free spoken word workshop. This session is for all rangatahi aged 13-30. In recognition of Matariki and the transition of seasons, this workshop will focus on te taiao and our place in an ever-changing natural world. We'll be tapping into the power of writing as a medium through which we can express ourselves, specifically focusing on the art of spoken word poetry. This workshop will be a space for us to think, reflect and write our ever-changing stories. Spaces are limited, book online here.
Waiata Manahau with Jordyn Rapana | Te Ātea | North Atrium, Mezzanine | 12.30pm-1.15pm
Join the gallery for Waiata Manahau, a fun and friendly way to learn waiata with friends, family and strangers. Singing is a great way to practice your reo as melody and memory are strongly linked. Plus, it's FUN! Jordyn Rapana (Jordyn with a Why) is a Maori/Samoan singer/songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Her music offers a vehicle for storytelling and soul soothing through ethereal and funky R&B sounds. Raised in a musical family, Jordyn developed a passion for singing through her involvement in church bands. She has been recognised for her songwriting, with her single 'Brown Melodies' nominated for Best Single at the Waiata Māori Music Awards 2022.
Spoken Word Performances | Te Ātea | North Atrium, Mezzanine | 1:30-2:00PM
Ngaio Simmons, Arihia Hall and Kate Laughter share their spoken ward poetry on the main stage of Te Ātea | North Atrium.
Ngaio Simmons (Ngáti Porou) was born and raised in the diaspora and is currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Ngaio placed second in the 2022 NZ National Poetry Slam and they were the 2023 Auckland Regional Slam Champion. Their work has been featured in ANMLY. Contemporary Verse, The Academy of American Poets and most recently in the book Rapture: An Anthology of Performance Poetry Aotearoa New Zealand (Auckland University Press, 2023).
Majic Pāora | Te Ātea, Mezzanine | 3-3.30PM
Majic Pāora (Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara,Ngāpuhi me Te Aupōuri), aka MAJIC, concludes The Gallery's performances with soulful sounds that captivate. MAJIC's heartfelt vocals glide along smooth melodies, telling rich stories that embody the essence of conscious soul music.
Kai
Purchase delicious kai from NZ Whitebait Fritters, Grown Up Donuts and the Gallery café. Check out the café specials for hangi pork sliders and boil up!
$2 per hour to a max of $12 on weekends and a $12 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more.