Puanga/Matariki 2024

Join us on June 28th, 2024, as we gather under the morning sky in celebration of Puanga/Matariki. This is a free family event and will run all day, starting at 5:30 am for a dawn service and wrapping up at 4pm.

The Wairau Māori Art Gallery will be marking the commencement of the Puanga/Matariki by paying homage to our tupuna departed. Our event promises a morning of matuaranga, karakia, kai and fun art activities during the day.

As the first light of dawn breaks, a Dawn Welcome begins at approximately 5:30 AM. Gather around the firepit, nestled outside our front entrance (by the fountain), as we extend a traditional welcome to all. Receive handouts and materials, setting the stage for a deeply meaningful experience. With a Karanga, we bid farewell to the darkness and collectively invoke Karakia, setting intentions for the day ahead. Led by Te Parawhau, immerse yourself in the specific Matāriki karakia and tikanga, delving into the rich significance of Puanga/Matariki. and honoring the timeless traditions of our tupuna.

Continuing our journey, engage in enlightening Matariki Kōrero sessions. Te Parawhau will share insights into the profound significance of Matāriki, offering a deeper understanding of its cultural importance. Take a moment for Poroporoaki, a heartfelt remembrance for departed loved ones who have passed in the last year, connecting with their spirits as we embrace the dawn of a new year.

Guests will be invited into the Wairau Māori Art Gallery exhibition 'Te Ao Hurihuri'. presents works made by 8 of our most celebrated, iconic Māori artists. These artists and their legacy represent a resonant call that has influenced contemporary artists for decades and promises to inspire generations into the future.

Buck Nin (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa),

Cliff Whiting (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui),

Dame Kāterina Te Hei Koko Mataira (Ngāti Porou),

Elizabeth Ellis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou),

Paratene Matchitt (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea),

Pauline Kahurangi Yearbury (Ngāpuhi),

Ralph Hōtere (Te Aupōuri),

Selwyn Muru (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī)

Experience the essence of Puanga/Matāriki 2024 as we invite you to ‘Look Forward or Look Back’. Join us in crafting a flag or adorning an existing one on a long string of bunting, symbolizing your aspirations for the coming year or honoring the memories of the year past. These flags, imbued with your hopes and reflections, will be hung among the pōhutukawa trees, where the wind will carry them skyward, invoking the ancient karakia to elevate our aspirations across the heavens. This activity resonates with the stars of Matāriki, including Ururangi for the wind and kites, Tupuārangi for the tree tops, Pōhutukawa for the departed, Hiwa i te rangi for aspirations, and Matāriki for families and relationships.

Engage in cultural reverence at our Karakia/Waiata Corner, where simple prayers and songs are made available in printed booklets for whānau to take home and weave into their Matāriki traditions.

Embrace the opportunity to amplify your voice and values with a bespoke badge design, a tangible representation of who you are, provided as a gift from Wairau.

And for moments of intimate connection, our Story Corner offers a tranquil retreat adorned with cushions, chairs, and a treasure trove of storybooks, inviting families to gather, connect, and share their own tales or explore the narratives within our collection.

Plus, indulge in tasty kai to warm your bellies and souls throughout our event!