SkyCity Matariki night markets welcome Māori New Year

They huddled together on the floor with their bags of shellfish and nestled in behind the large Auckland sign out front.

Crowds pack the porte-cochere, tucking into kai. Photo / Annaliese Shortland

Children and adults alike lit up after having their face painted with traditional Māori moko, some of which glowed in the dark.

A man beams, his glowing moko caught on a phone. Photo / Annaliese Shortland

A large semicircle of people formed around Dr Valance Smith who was singing and playing the guitar.

A member from the crowd wowed the audience with his beautiful voice when he began singing along, Smith called him up to the stage to perform alongside him.

The crowd cheered as he sang with a big toothless smile on his face.

Musician Dr Valance Smith sings for the crowd. Photo / Annaliese Shortland

While admiring the large selection of gorgeously designed pounamu at one of the vendors’ stalls, I got to witness a special moment where a young girl was gifted a pounamu.

She beamed with joy and happy tears as she hugged her loved ones.

A girl tears up with joy after being gifted pounamu. Photo / Annaliese Shortland