Matariki Festival
Maori New Year Celebration
of New Zealand June - July 2008
Matariki is our unique Maori New Year. It's
A seasonal occasion to mark the end of harvest, A
Time to celebrate throughout June and midway July. It's
About the 'new year' planting season, new beginnings when we can
Reinvent and rejuvinate ourselves. Matariki
Is a time for reflection, remembrance as well as joy so we are
Keen to involve everyone
In communities and families throughout New Zealand. Join us.
5.30pm to 8.30pm Friday 13 June 2008 PPCS Centre, Pahiatua. Free entry to entertainment and fireworks
9am to 12pm, Saturday 14 June 2008, Genesis Centre, Masterton. Free pancake breakfast and drinks
5.30pm to 8.30pm 20 June 2008, Russel Park, Waipukurau. Free entertainment and fireworks
26 to 29 June 2008, HB Opera House, Hastings. Maori handgames contest, Kahungunu Music Awards, $1500 NZ Krumpin Showdown, Free pancake breakfast
5.30pm 4 July 2008, Alexandra Park, Wairoa. Free entertainment and the biggest Matariki fireworks in New Zealand !
The Sold Out sign went up on almost all our events in 2007. Our earlier events on Queen's Birthday weekend at Matariki Winery sold out, Waipukurau, and Pahiatia/Masterton attracted great turnouts and the fireworks display in Pahiatua was spectacular.
Hastings Matariki - Maori Hand Games Contest. 9.30am to 2pm Thursday 28 June. A great day out with 14 schools and kohanga reo taking part in a spectacular parade. Big thanks to all involved.
Hastings Matariki - Kahungunu Music Awards - Friday 29 June Thanks to everyone for coming out. The night was a huge success with almost a full house.
Hastings. Free Pancake Breakfast. The rain didn't keep the hungry hordes away and we sold out by 11.30am. Thanks for coming out. Saturday 30 June Ph (06) 873-0041
Hastings Matariki - $1500 NZ Krumpin Showdown 2 - Saturday 30 June. SOLD OUT. This was a hugely successful youth event with tickets selling out two days prior. Hundreds of dissapointed fans had to be turned away on the night. Prize money $700 Showground Junkies, $300Crooked Down, $150 Steady Fam, $150 Su - Ave. "Thank you Thank You, Bless You Thank You Aotearoa" Unity Pacific
Wairoa Matariki - Food, entertainment, Fireworks, Free 6pm to 8pm Friday 6 July - 65% of the towns 5000 population turned up in the pouring rain (it's rained for the last 6 years) making this the biggest Matariki event in New Zealand based on population ratio. Fantastic local entertainment, taiwhenua provided free meals for 1,000 people and gave away free blankets to Kaumatua. A wonderful testament to the effort of Sheree Cotter and her team of high school age workers.
Napier Matariki - Kahungunu Wearable Arts Show - SOLD OUT ! Fantastic night. Great food by chef Charles Royal and wonderful fashions by labels - Beri, Tribal Fibres, Waitohu, Tawera Tahuri and Keita Mathews. Hawke's Bay Maori Tourism, 131 Marine Parade, Napier 7pm Saturday 7 July Ph 06-835-7969
What They Said At Our Celebrations
Wairoa Matariki
"Matariki has become the biggest event in Wairoa alongside our A&P Show. It's a wonderful way to showcase the exceptional talent in our little town" Cherie Cotter
Hastings Matariki
" Superb night out at the Hawke's Bay Opera House. It was wonderful to see the older generation performing and sharing for Taikura" Craig Foss MP for Tukituki
"The Maori hand games competition was the best. We will be back next year to win the competition" - Hera Huata, Te Kura Kaupapa o Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
Matariki Celebrate The Harvest @ Farmers Market
"Matariki is always something special for us. It's one of our biggest turnouts during the year and it links directly to us here at the market as food producers. Let's get all the Farmer's Market's to join in next year". Ian Thomas - Free Range Egg Company
Matariki Festival Dinner
"A marvellous night of song, good food, wine and festivity. It is so good for us to come together here at Matariki Wines in their Barrell Room." Tom Mulligan - Chairman Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Deputy Chair - NZ Maori Tourism Council
We are grateful for the financial support from our funders and sponsors; Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc, Te Puni Kokiri, Radio Network, Grow and Te Taurawhiri.