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Matariki Festival at Te Papa

Matariki Festival at Te Papa

Matariki is the Māori New Year. It begins in late May or early June with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters) in the eastern sky. Matariki is a time to gather with whānau and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.

You will see some favourite events return, the free Art Night bus and the Ngāti Toa bus tour and some new and exciting events are included in this year’s programme.

Thursday 2 June, 5pm 10pm
Art Night: Pō Whakaatu Toi
For one magical starry night, jump on board a free Art Night bus and catch special late night openings at galleries across the Wellington region. City Gallery Wellington and Te Papa (Wellington), Pātaka (Porirua), Mahara Gallery (Waikanae), The Dowse (Lower Hutt) and Expressions (Upper Hutt) join forces to open late and celebrate Matariki with live music, exhibitions and special events after dark. View the bus timetable here.
Ngā Toi ǀ Arts Te Papa, Level 5, and Viewing Terrace, Level 6, free event.

Tīrama, tīrama tamariki mā! Matariki performance for young children
Bring your pre-schooler to an interactive session of waiata, kōrero pūrākau (storytelling), and other fun activities with a Matariki theme.
The performances on Friday 3 June and Friday 10 June are total immersion (completely in Māori). The performances on Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8 , Thursday 9 June will be bilingual (English/Māori).
All performances are 10.30am – 11.15am, Te Marae, Level 4, free event.

Saturday 4 JuneSunday 5 June, 11am – 4pm
Te Whare Mātoro – Performing Arts Weekend for Rangatahi
Calling all rangatahi (young people) – join us for an action-packed weekend of song, dance performances, and workshops at Te Whare Mātoro, the house of entertainment.
Soundings Theatre, Level 2 & Te Marae, Level 4, free event.

Saturday 11 June 11am – 4pm &
Sunday 12 June 11am – 3pm
Te Hau o Matariki – Ngāti Toa Rangatira Weekend
Join Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Papa’s iwi on Saturday for a wonderful day filled with music, storytelling, and art. On Sunday, go on a bus tour of Wellington’s stunning west coast and learn about Ngāti Toa’s fascinating history.
Saturday is a free event at: Amokura Gallery, Level 4, and Te Marae, Level 4.
Sunday bus tour $15 per person, bookings essential. Meet at Te Papa’s main entrance.

Sunday 12 June, 2pm – 4pm
Konohete a ngā tamariki | Kids’ concert
Children from six local early childhood centres perform waiata, kanikani (dance) and more in a concert for whānau, friends and the community.
Te Marae, Level 4, free event.

Saturday 18 June, 11am – 5pm
Kōrero ǀ Storytelling
Hear talented storytellers narrate some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best-known and most-loved tales. Te Marae, Level 4, free event.

Sunday 19 June, 11am – 4pm
Ngā Kai o Matariki – Food of Matariki
Join us for a day devoted to kai – try samples, learn how to grow traditional Māori produce, and see Matariki-inspired demonstrations by celebrity chefs – MasterChef New Zealand winners Kasey and Karena Bird, and Monique and Henry Heke from My Kitchen Rules.
This event will take place in Amokura Gallery, Level 4, free event.

Kaumātua Kapa Haka 2016
Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 June, 10am – 4pm
Enjoy a two-day celebration of haka and waiata presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Soundings Theatre, Level 2, free event.

Full details of the Matariki Wellington programme can be found here.