Auckland's city centre is alive with light, sound, and story as Matariki ki te Manawa gets underway in Aotea Square. The celebration, which runs from 19 to 30 June, transforms the public space into a hub of cultural activity to mark the Māori New Year.
As a key part of the wider Matariki Festival across Tāmaki Makaurau, the event offers a free and accessible way for Aucklanders to engage with the traditions of Matariki. It centres on remembrance, celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future, with a range of installations and experiences designed to immerse visitors in toi Māori (Māori arts), performance, and storytelling.
The event is a focal point for the city's celebrations, drawing in people from all corners of the region. For residents in neighbourhoods like Papatoetoe and Ōtara, the celebration offers a chance to connect with the heart of the city and share in a significant cultural moment.
A celebration of light and story
At the heart of the Aotea Square installation is 'Pakiata Matariki', a short film that brings the stories of the Matariki star cluster to life. Screened on the Aotea Centre’s digital facade, the film provides a visual narrative of the celestial bodies that signal the new year. Accompanying the film is a captivating light and sound installation that fills the square, creating an immersive atmosphere for evening visitors.
This multi-sensory experience aims to deepen understanding of the cultural significance of Matariki. The combination of visual storytelling and ambient sound allows for a contemplative experience, encouraging visitors to reflect on the themes of the season.
The meaning of Matariki
Matariki marks the rising of the Pleiades star cluster, a celestial event that ushers in the Māori New Year. It is a time guided by three core principles: Matariki Hunga Nui (remembrance of the past and honouring those who have passed), Matariki Ahunga Nui (celebrating the present with food, family, and festivities), and Matariki Manako Nui (looking to the future with hope and aspiration).
According to Māori astronomical knowledge, the cluster contains nine visible stars, each with its own distinct purpose and connection to the environment. As explained by cultural experts and institutions like Te Papa Tongarewa, these stars are Matariki, the mother star who guides the others; Pōhutukawa, which connects to the spirits of the dead; Waitī, associated with fresh water and its creatures; and Waitā, linked to the ocean.
The other stars are Waipuna-ā-rangi, connected to the rains; Tupuānuku, for food grown in the earth; Tupuārangi, for food from the sky, such as birds and berries; Ururangi, which determines the winds for the year; and Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the star of aspirations, to which people send their hopes for the year ahead.
Toi Māori and unique retail partnership
In a unique collaboration, the iconic Queen Street department store Smith and Caughey's has partnered with the festival to host Pā Rongorongo, an in-store experience dedicated to toi Māori. The building features a range of displays, workshops, and interactive sessions across several floors.
Visitors can hear traditional stories with Pāpā Tākaro on the first level, while the sixth floor has been transformed into a space for cultural workshops. Here, practitioners are demonstrating traditional arts such as rāranga (weaving) and the markings of tā moko, offering an intimate look at these treasured skills. This partnership between a major retailer and a significant cultural festival highlights a growing trend of commercial and civic entities working together. The integration of cultural celebration into a retail space provides a new platform for education and engagement, making the traditions of Matariki visible in every part of the city. The celebration of Matariki is a nationwide event, with other centres also preparing for major gatherings, including Hamilton as it prepares its own community festivities.
Looking to the holiday weekend
The events in Aotea Square and Smith and Caughey's lead into the official Matariki public holiday on Friday, 28 June. These central city activations serve as an anchor for the region-wide festival, which includes hundreds of events, from community plantings and workshops to exhibitions and performances.
Local boards and community groups play a vital role in the broader festival, often with the support of council initiatives that aim to empower grassroots activities. Funding programmes, such as those that support local projects in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe area, help ensure that celebrations can be tailored to the unique character of each neighbourhood while connecting to the city-wide theme.
The Matariki ki te Manawa celebration continues until the end of the month, giving Aucklanders ample opportunity to participate. The free events and installations will welcome visitors in Aotea Square and Smith and Caughey's until Sunday, 30 June.
