Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council are pleased to present Tūhono - an immersive ara toi (art trail) celebrating Matariki through light, storytelling and contemporary Māori design. Meaning “to tie together”, Tūhono connects to existing light works Tūrama (located on Queen Street) and Taurima (Elliott Street) to form a 2km indigenous, immersive light trail.
Stretching from Te Kōmititanga at the mouth of the Waihorotiu Valley, through Britomart and along the downtown waterfront into Te Tōangaroa, the first tangata whenua urban precinct, Tūhono connects a series of significant cultural city through light, sound and visual narrative.
Created by a collective of young Ngāti Whātua ringa toi (artists) - Arama Tamariki-Enua, Caine Taihia, Uira Nahi and Maraea Shaw in collaboration with Angus Muir Designs - the trail draws inspiration from the symbolism and journeys of waka and explores ideas of movement, gathering and history across generations.
Artist Aramu Tamariki-Enua says Tūhono is an invitation to move through the city with a deeper sense of connection.
The trail is designed as a journey following the line of the Waihorotiu Valley and the downtown waterfront, linking key sites of cultural significance and contemporary Māori art across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Together, these works form Tūhono - the world’s longest indigenous art trail.
Discover the full Matariki ki te Manawa 2026 programme, here.
