Matariki - the Maori New Year - is an important lunar period on the traditional Maori calendar. Each year at the end of May, Maori observe the rising of the star constellation, Matariki, othewise known as the seven sisters or Pleaides.

The Maori New Year begins with the first full moon following the sighting of this constellation in the east, just before dawn. The rising of the constellation also marks the change from the shortening days of winter to the growing days of spring and the start of the Maori planting and fishing calendars.

See
Te Taura Whiri for more info on the cultural significance of Matariki. For the full programme see
www.matarikifestival.org.nz

Image: Matariki by Wiremu Barriball of d'signation
Copyright © 2005 Wiremu Barriball

Read on for Matariki events at Auckland Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa and all over Northland....
Matariki - the Maori New Year - is an important lunar period on the traditional Maori calendar. Each year at the end of May, Maori observe the rising of the star constellation, Matariki, othewise known as the seven sisters or Pleaides.

The Maori New Year begins with the first full moon following the sighting of this constellation in the east, just before dawn. The rising of the constellation also marks the change from the shortening days of winter to the growing days of spring and the start of the Maori planting and fishing calendars.

See
Te Taura Whiri for more info on the cultural significance of Matariki. For the full programme see
www.matarikifestival.org.nz

Image: Matariki by Wiremu Barriball of d'signation
Copyright © 2005 Wiremu Barriball

Read on for Matariki events at Auckland Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa and all over Northland....
7 June - 6 July

Each year around June, the stars of Matariki and Puanga signal the end of one year in Aotearoa and the start of the next. Traditionally Maori have recognised the rise of Matariki as a time to celebrate and prepare for our indigenous New Year.
Celebrate Matariki with a series of special events at Auckland Museum. From 7 June to 6 July you can take part in the Matariki colouring competition and go in the draw to win a Matariki wall-chart from Reed Publishing. Check out the Matariki facts and decorations on display in the Stevenson Discovery Centre, Treasures & Tales and listen to traditional Maori music. Experience New Zealand native foods in a unique food event. See below for the full listings.
11 June - 28 August
Ko Tawa
A special exhibition displaying taonga from the Museum's Gilbert Mair collection. Each taonga on display has a unique story to tell, intimately linking today's descendants to their ancestral landscapes. For more information on this exhibition, click here. >

Sunday 12 June
Matariki kite making workshops
Celebrate Matariki by making a cool kite, followed by a test flight outside the Museum. Bookings essential, call 09 306 7040 to secure your place.
- Junior workshop (ages 4 - 6 years) 10.30am - 11.30am. $7 ($5 for Stevenson Dinomites)
- Senior workshop (ages 7 - 10 years) 10am - 11:30am. $8 ($6 for Stevenson Dinomites)
Sunday 12, 19, 26 June and 3 July, 10am - 12noon
Star Mobiles 10-minute craft activity
Make a star mobile to take home in ten-minutes in Treasures & Tales. $2 ($1 for Stevenson Dinomites)
Sunday 12, 19, 26 June and 3 July, 1.30 - 3pm
Matariki Constellation 10-minute craft activity
In this ten minute-activity you can colour a clear Matariki constellation to catch the light from your window. Treasures & Tales. $2 ($1 for Stevenson Dinomites).
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 June, 3pm
Film Screening - Te Kooti Trail
Two screenings of one of New Zealand's silent film classics Te Kooti Trail (1927). Directed by film pioneer Rudall Hayward, Te Kooti Trail has only recently been restored to its former glory by the New Zealand Film Archive. This occasion marks its first Auckland screening since that restoration. These screenings are held in conjunction with the New Zealand Film Archive and feature live piano accompaniment by Tama Karena. In the APEC Room.
Tuesday 14, 21 & 28 June, 6 - 8pm
A Unique (G)Astronomical Event
Come prepared to experience several tastings of NZ native foods specially prepared by the chefs from 'Bennetts on Westhaven' and matched with Tohu wines in a special event that celebrates Matariki while acknowledging both traditional Maori knowledge and contemporary use of unique New Zealand food products. For more information, click here.
$45 per person - bookings accepted with ticket purchase. (Members of Auckland Slow Food Convivium and Auckland Museum Institute $40 per person).Cash or cheques must be in the hands of the Museum at least 10 days prior to your selected evening. Auckland Museum, Private Bag 92018, Auckland. Bookings to 09 306 7036 or 09 309 0443
Enquiries: pmillward@aucklandmuseum.com
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 June, 3pm
Atamira Dance Collective Performance
Choreographer Moss Patterson and the Atamira Dance Collective present the piece Te Paki. In the Maori Court.
Sunday 19 June, 11am
Learn Te Reo
Immerse yourself in the Maori language in this fun, free class for children aged 7 - 12 years. No need to book, just come along to the Education Room on the ground floor.
Sunday 26 June
Matariki Night Sky
Decorate a star to help fill out our Matariki night sky. All day in Treasures & Tales.
Sunday 26 June, 2pm

Fred's Frond
Fred's Frond is an interactive show that incorporates mime, dance and songs and uses stylised minimalist theatre techniques and fabulous percussion instruments. It tells of Fred's waka journey to deliver magic koru to his friends and is scattered with te reo, pork and puha and pohutukawa. The show's themes celebrate fitness, friendship, native plants, the sharing of kai and of course the great outdoors - making it a real piece of original Kiwiana perfect for Matariki! In Treasures & Tales.
Wednesday 27 July, 7.30pm
Lecture: Ko Tawa - Sharing Breath
Paul Tapsell, curator of the Ko Tawa exhibition and Tumuaki (Director Maori) of Auckland Museum presents insights into the extraordinary Gilbert Mair collection and its continuing importance in the telling of the history of the central North Island. In the APEC Room. $10 ($5 for members).

toi iho Expo at Te Papa - June 4th -5th
This weekend nearly 40 outstanding Màori artists who are licensed users of toi ihoTM will gather at Te Papa for an expo. The expo will include an exhibition of approximately 80 works that will be open to the public for one day only on Sunday.

The expo follows one held in Auckland last year and includes workshops for artists in areas like small business, tax and marketing.

toi ihoTM was launched in 2003 and there are now more than 150 artists who hold a license to use the toi ihoTM brand with their work. They come from a wide range of artforms including traditional arts like carving and weaving as well as contemporary visual and performing arts and includes many of New Zealand's most senior and respected Màori artists. There are also more than 25 licensed retailers - who stock work by at least six of the artists. toi ihoTMis administered by Creative New Zealand.

Elizabeth Ellis, chair of Te Waka Toi, the Màori arts board of Creative New Zealand said she was delighted that toi ihoTM would be part of Te Papa's Matariki celebration.

"More and more New Zealanders are recognising Matariki and the significance it has for Màori. With the involvement of toi ihoTM in Matariki celebrations the public will have the chance to experience authentic and quality arts during this period," she said.

Later on in the month, there will be three concerts featuring musicians who are licensed users of toi ihoTM. They are:

- Moana and the Tribe on Thursday 9 June from 7.00-9.00pm
- Whirimako Black on Thursday 16 June from 7.00-9.00pm
- Ruia Abraham with his brothers Ranea and Manny on Sunday 19 June from 1.00-2.00pm as part of the Whanganui Showcase.

All concerts are on Te Papa's marae and are free entry.

The toi ihoTM exhibition will be held from 10.00am-5.00pm this Sunday 5 June, Air New Zealand Concourse, Level 3.

Northland Matariki Events:

Music, crafts, and food take centre stage in festivals from Kaeo and Kohukohu to Kerikeri over the three days of the holiday weekend.

The fun in Kerikeri starts on Saturday 4 June at the Kororipo Pa with a powhiri from 10am and continues with the festival running throughout the day in the Kerikeri basin.

Music from professional bands to local kapa haka groups will crank things up. There will be stalls displaying the work of a variety of artists and handi-crafts; food including hangi; kids' games and plenty of family fun with rides on a vintage steamboat and cars, and a traditional Maori waka.

The day culminates in a Cabaret evening at 'The Landing', opposite the Stone Store featuring the "Legendary Shane Murray and his All Star Show Band". Tickets include a full buffet meal and dancing until midnight.

The weekly Bay of Islands Farmer's market that kicks off on Sunday at 7am, is also getting into the festivities with live music by the 'Puha Bandidos', goodies to give-away, spot prizes and stalls by Northland wineries.

Market organizer Lyn Barnes says the market provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate the region's food and wine.

"Matariki is a great time to celebrate our food; we've got Maori bread and a hangi, as well as Northland wineries," she says.

Kaeo is also celebrating over Queen's Birthday weekend with local kaumatua conducting a walk at Pohue Pa and talk on Matariki. Local schools will have art exhibited throughout the town over the weekend.
The highlight will be the youth event which has the local kids in workshops to design their own Hip Hop dance and song themed around non-violence with a concert on Monday afternoon, sponsored by Ngati Hine FM.

Kohukohu is also revving up the volume with its music festival running throughout the weekend. 14 groups, from Jazz to County & Western and Rock'n'Roll will play, from 8pm on Friday night at the Hokianga Harbour Hotel. Maori Arts and Crafts will be on display at the Town Hall and hangi food is available all weekend.

For further information http://www.taitokerau.co.nz/matariki_events_calendar.php
or Arts Promotion Trust 09 430 6432