Mana Moana Pōneke starts the festival with a series of indigenous short films showcasing stories of our ocean, projected on a water screen at Whairepo Lagoon.
A collaboration between Māori and Pasifika musicians, artists, writers, and choreographers, the Mana Moana event runs from 6pm-9pm weekends from 15-30 June.
On the weekend of 27-30 June, the waterfront will transform into an immersive self-led journey including fire pits, projections, performances, and food trucks in the Odlins Plaza kai court.
This year the event is split into three zones ‘Look to the Future’, ‘Celebrate the Present’ and ‘Remember the Past’ with a Tomokanga at each point of entrance reflecting the space.
The Aroha Stage in Odlins Plaza will host local talent including Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club (kapa haka), Tom Knowles (reggae, roots), Casual Healing (Māori roots, RnB, reggae), Tui (soul, pop) and Awerangi (oldskool jams).
To honour those who have passed away since last Matariki, the public were asked to submit names which will be projected onto a Memorial Wall. These will be displayed on the side of Te Papa near the Solace in the Wind statue each evening of the event.
Attendees are also invited to write down wishes and hopes for the future, and place these in baskets at the Memorial Wall and Whairepo lagoon to be released into flames to become stars each night.
The celebration of Matariki Puanga, the Māori New Year, dates back over 700 years and is accompanied by long-established traditions. The rising of Puanga (also known as the star Rigel in Orion) and the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades or the Seven Sisters) marks the start of the Māori New Year.
Puanga and Matariki are time for friends and whānau to get together, to restore faith and hope for the future, to celebrate whanaungatanga (kinship), to be with others, to share stories and kai, and plan to work towards a sustainable future.
The Matariki Ahi Kā festival will once again reflect this and will be big, bold, and immersive, with multiple experiences stretching around the waterfront, says Mayor Tory Whanau.
“These events raise awareness and education around Matariki, Te Ao Māori, and Wellington’s many stories – and everyone is invited to engage, enjoy and experience this unique festival.”