T\u0100MAKI MAKAURAU, AUCKLAND<\/p>\n
In 2019,\u202fWaiata Anthems\u202fdebuted at No 1 in the NZ Music Charts\u202f\u2013 the first 100% reo M\u0101ori album to make it. Dame Hinewehi Mohi came up with the concept of Kiwi artists reframing English-language songs, including the National Anthem, into waiata reo Ma\u0304ori.<\/p>\n
In 2026, rising stars Jordyn with a Why, Mohi and Geneva AM, sensational high-school Te Kura M\u0101ori o Ng\u0101 Tapuwae Kapa Haka and the Auckland Philharmonia recreate the album at Auckland\u2019s Town Hall. <\/p>\n
As well as orchestral arrangements of Tami Neilson\u2019s Roimata\/Cry Myself to Sleep, Stan Walker\u2019s T\u0113n\u0101\u202fR\u0101\u202fKoe\/Thank You and Drax Project\u2019s I Moeroa\/Woke Up Late, you\u2019ll hear new readings of more recent hits.<\/p>\n
What: Waiata Anthems in Concert<\/p>\n
When: Thursday, July 9<\/p>\n
Where: Auckland Town Hall<\/p>\n
More info: aucklandphil.nz\/news\/matariki-artists<\/a><\/p>\n HERETAUNGA, TE MATAU-A-M\u0100UI, HASTINGS & HAWKE\u2019S BAY<\/p>\n One of the longest-running and most strongly established celebrations, its history stretches way back before someone in Wellington sent an email to their minister that said, \u201cHey, wouldn\u2019t it be a good idea if\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n Full credit then to the Hastings District Council for its staunch commitment to the Flaxmere community and its annual celebration, Matariki T\u0101puapua, The Pools of Matariki.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been running longer than many social media platforms, a time to remember lost ones and celebrate new beginnings. Expect stunning carvings, floating lanterns on waterways, performances, storytelling, kids\u2019 arts and crafts, face painting and kai.<\/p>\n What: The Pools of Matariki<\/p>\n When: Monday, June 29, 6-9pm <\/p>\n Where: The Pond, Flaxmere Park<\/p>\n More info: hastingsdc.govt.nz\/our-council\/my-hastings\/article\/3478\/matariki-at-waiaroha-and-more<\/a><\/p>\n TARANAKI<\/p>\n While much of Aotearoa celebrates Matariki, the West Coast regions look to a different whet\u016b. Due to the towering Taranaki Maunga, the Matariki cluster is often obscured during midwinter, so iwi look toward the single bright star Puanga (Rigel in astronomy), which rises above the mountain to herald the M\u0101ori New Year.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, one of the nation\u2019s most magical events, the Festival of Lights winter pop-up along the Coastal Walkway, fell victim to New Plymouth council cost-cutting this year. However, the Taranaki Regional Council has organised a family day at Piwakawaka Family Hut, about 30 minutes outside the city, to explore the M\u0101ori worldview of the environment. Star of the show: resident kiwi Puanga.<\/p>\n What: Puanga h\u012bkoi and k\u014drero<\/p>\n When: Monday, July 6<\/p>\n Where: 2290 Carrington Rd, Pukeiti<\/p>\n More info: trc.govt.nz\/gardens\/whats-on\/puanga-hikoi-and-korero<\/a><\/p>\n TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA, WELLINGTON<\/p>\n Sorry, Oscar Wilde: at this time of year, it\u2019s not some of who are looking at the stars, but all of us. Te Ara Wh\u0101nui ki te Rangi Space Place is devoting several programmes and interactive exhibits to the festival until July 19. <\/p>\n Matariki Together (Sunday 12 July, 10am-3pm) is an all-ages day of star talks in the planetarium, kapa haka from T\u012bwhanawhana, a\u202fwh\u0101nau\u202fcraft activity and storytelling. <\/p>\n Ng\u0101 Tohunga\u202fWhakatere -\u202fThe Navigators is a planetarium film sharing the story of M\u0101ori, Pasifika and later European navigation towards\u202fAotearoa\u202fthrough the eyes of a young girl,\u202fMoko. <\/p>\n She dreams of becoming a master star navigator like her\u202ft\u016bpuna\u202fand her koro, Jack, and finds herself travelling through time and space in a fully immersive planetarium show on Space Place\u2019s stunning digital, full-dome planetarium screen. The 30-minute events are suitable for ages 8 and over. <\/p>\n What: Matariki Events <\/p>\n When: Until July 19 <\/p>\n Where: Space Place, Wellington Botanic Gardens <\/p>\n More info: museumswellington.org.nz\/celebrate-matariki-at-space-place<\/a> <\/p>\n WAITAHA, TE TAUIHU-O-TE-WAKA, TOP OF THE SOUTH<\/p>\n Great Journeys NZ, which operates the country\u2019s three long-distance tourist trains, is offering a special night-time run of the Coastal Pacific route from \u014ctautahi along the ocean shore to experience Matariki in Kaik\u014dura.<\/p>\n The $499, eight-hour round trip offers an evening of astronomy and cultural discovery under stunning night skies, including a four-course winter-themed dinner onboard (two courses each way), a stargazing experience hosted by Destination Kaik\u014dura, the Kaik\u014dura Dark Sky Trust and Moana Skies, with telescopes, a warming firepit, night market, plus training in how to take sky photos with your phone.<\/p>\n What: Matariki rail experience<\/p>\n When: Saturday, July 11<\/p>\n Where: Christchurch-Kaik\u014dura-Christchurch<\/p>\n Matariki T\u0101puapua lights up Flaxmere Park. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
A fire pit warms Wellington’s Matariki waterfront celebrations. Photo \/ Billie Win<\/p>\n