News | 13 July 2023
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Friday Five: Wellington ways to celebrate Matariki Puanaga

Puanga and Matariki is a time to get together, to restore faith and hope for the future, to celebrate whanaungatanga (kinship), while being with others and sharing stories and kai. Here are some ideas for how you can celebrate Matariki Puanga in the capital.

Projections on Te Papa for Matariki.

1. Immerse yourself with Ahi Kā

THURSDAY 13 - SUNDAY 16 JULY | 6PM - 9PM | WELLINGTON WATERFRONT

Honour our culture and history, with a big, bold, immersive walk-through journey including large-scale projections, fire, and performances. Share kai at the Odlins Plaza kai court, while listening to performers on the Aroha stage. Wellingtonians and visitors are also invited to Hiwa-i-te-rangi: the Wishing Star and Pohutukawa: honouring those who have passed away ceremonies at 8pm each evening.

Check out the Matariki Ahi Kā programme.

Projections on the water.

2. Catch a movie on water with Mana Moana Pōneke

FRIDAY 14 - SUNDAY 16 JULY  | 6PM - 9PM | WHAIREPO LAGOON

 Mana Moana Pōneke is a series of indigenous films which are projected onto a stunning water screen - part of our Matariki Puanga celebrations. Mana Moana Pōneke is a collaboration between Māori and Pasifika musicians, artists, writers, and choreographers.

Find out more on our website.

 
Star at the Botanic Gardens.

3. Join the Haha Whetū star search

UNTIL SUNDAY 30 JULY | BOTANIC GARDENS KI PAEKĀKĀ

Gather your friends and whānau this Matariki to find the 10 whetū (stars) we have painted around the Botanic Garden ki Paekākā. Haha Whetū is an interactive journey. You will learn about the significance of Puanga and each whetū in the Matariki constellation. Download the app and collect them all. 

Check out more about Haha Whetū.

Meal set up for Taste Matariki.
Image from Eat, Drink, Play.

4. Taste Matariki Food Trail

UNTIL SUNDAY 16 JULY | VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Explore the city and feed your soul tasting and celebrating the dishes and drinks created by our talented chefs and mixologists with the Eat Drink Play – Taste Matariki Trail.
Taking inspiration from the stars Matariki and Pohutukawa, we celebrate the time of harvest and feasting as well as connecting to our culture, heritage and ancestors. 
Connect with the special people in your life and taste your way around our community.

Visit the Eat, Drink, Play website for more details.

5. Check out these indoor Matariki events

Feeling chilly? There's plenty of fun, indoor events happening across the city at Space Place, Wellington Museum, Capital E, City Gallery and Toi Pōneke. Check out the event details below.

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our awesome city.  

Read more

Images being projected on a water screen over the Whairepo Lagoon.

12 July 2023

Get ready for a star-studded weekend in the capital

The stars have aligned in the capital as the city prepares for an out of this world weekend of events and activities around the city.
Man placing down two plates of food for his two children.

10 July 2023

Matariki Puanga with the whānau

We caught up with Te Poiakino Hohua Johnstone from our Māori strategic outcomes team, to hear how he and his family celebrate Matariki Puanga.

Graphic illustration of Matariki Puanga.

5 July 2023

The meaning of Matariki Puanga

Puanga is a single whetū (star) that appears in the sky shortly before the Matariki cluster rises each year.