Celebrate Matariki with Pakiata Matariki in Te Komititanga, presented by Heart of the City, Auckland Council, Britomart and Commercial Bay.
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.
Come together each evening to celebrate the first indigenous public holiday in the world.
Pakiata Matariki in Te Komititanga will run frequently from 6pm to 9pm daily from 24 June until 16 July. Shows run every 15 minutes.
Be taken on a journey of how the separation of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) angered Tāwhirimātea, God of winds. In his despair, he tore out his eyes, crushed them and cast them into the upper realms, where they became the stars in the Matariki cluster. Matariki is an abbreviation of "Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea".
Each of the stars helps to forecast what the year ahead will bring. Brighter twinkling stars highlight that aspect for the coming seasons. A bright Tupuānuku means that food from the ground will be plentiful so the focus should be on planting crops, while a shiny Waipunarangi might mean a rainy season ahead, warning those in lower lying areas to keep an eye on river levels.
Tāmaki Makaurau scenes are visible as we bring the story down to earth, to the people of the land. We see the whenua as it was and as it is now, with the Auckland cityscape and landmarks highlighted - Maungakiekie, Waitematā Harbour, Rangitoto and Tumutumuwhenua wharenui at Ōrākei Marae. We recognise Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the iwi manaaki (host iwi) for Matariki Festival 2022 as they prepare an Umu Kohukohu Whetū, a sacred fire where the embers and smoke rise to convey the names of those who have passed to the star realm and to give thanks for the bounty of the elements.
This bespoke lightshow is a collaborative work created by Hana Maihi (Nga Oho, Te Taou, Te Uringutu, Ngati Whatua, Tainui waka, Ngati Paoa, Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngai Te Rangi), Poi Ngawati (Ngati Hine, Tainui waka) and Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta) with music by Te Reo Lepou (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Hāmoa), Waipounamu Silbery (Te Rarawa, Tainui, Kāi Tahu) and Ese Aumalesulu (Hāmoa).
Pakiata Matariki is proudly presented by Auckland Council, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Heart of the City, Britomart and Commercial Bay.
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