Matariki Festival 2008
5 June - 5 July 2008
Assorted venues
www.matarikifestival.org.nz
The pre-dawn rising of the star cluster Matariki is significant to Māori and is
referred to as 'Te tau hou', the new year.
Matariki was traditionally a time to
connect Māori to land and seafood harvesting, way-finding, and weather patterns.
During mid-winter, people would also traditionally gather to farewell the dead,
acknowledge the past year's activities and then greet the new-born and focus on
the years ahead.
This festival and programme of events taking place throughout Auckland embodies
the way Maori commemorate and celebrate this ancient tradition within the
context of contemporary city life in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Activities will
include:
- ceremonial plantings
- contemporary and traditional performance
- film
- food
- exhibitions and more
and will provide an opportunity for Aucklanders and visitors to share kai, rituals, entertainment,
hospitality and learnings.
The Matariki Festival is sponsored by us in conjunction with Manukau and Waitakere and North Shore City councils as a regional Auckland
event.
For more information visit www.matarikifestival.org.nz.
Updated March 2008
