Heretaunga
MATARIKI HUNGA NUI HERETAUNGA - HASTINGS
MANY PEOPLE GATHER FOR MATARIKI
22nd - 25th June
Mānawa mai a te putanga o Matariki.
Mānawa mai a te ariki o te rangi.
Mānawa mai a te mātahi o te tau
Hail the rise of Matariki
Hail the lord of the sky
Hail the New Year
Whakanuia te tau hou Māori. Matariki is the Māori tradition that marks the rising of the star cluster Matariki Pleiades. Matariki signals the start of the Māori new year and is a time for commemorating the passing of loved ones, making plans for the coming year, feasting, celebrating and re-energising.
MATARIKI TĀPUAPUA
THE POOLS OF MATARIKI
Wed 22nd June to Saturday 25th June
Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm. Where: The Pond, Flaxmere Park, Swansea Rd, Hastings. Free entry. Everyone welcome
The arrival of Matariki in our winter skies is a certain indicator of heavy rains that form pools of water on the ground that slowly soak into the aquifer and flow into the waterways. It’s a time for people to gather, to remember those who we lost since the last Matariki and make wishes for the future.
Over four nights we welcome the public to write a name and message for someone they lost during the year or a wish of hope for the future. Mount your message on a waka lantern (provided) to float on the tranquil waters of The Pond. Everyone welcome to this peaceful,
contemplative and memorable experience at The Pond in Flaxmere Park. The lanterns and waka are 100% recyclable.
PŪRĀKAU
STORYTELLING
Thursday 23 June to Saturday 25th June
Time: 6pm to 9pm. Where: Civic Square, Eastbourne Street, Hastings
Everyone welcome to join the circle around a communal fire for three nights as storytellers ignite our imaginations and illuminate our minds as they did for our forebears. Whanau will share the history of Nga Pou o Heretaunga as they bring to life eighteen large pou carvings representing an ancestor from marae around Hastings District. The figures are significant and stand proudly in the formation of the Matariki star constellation linking tangata people to the whenua land.
A secondary purpose is to acknowledge New Zealand’s connections to Pacific people. In the Cook Islands the constellation is also known as Matariki. It is called Matalií (Samoa) and Mataliki in Tonga, Tokelau, Niue, Tuvalu, Mataríi (Tahiti) and Makalií (Hawaii). We have invited our Pacific cousins to share their stories and songs around the fires. Good Kai available from food truck pop ups.
MATARIKI AHI KA
HOME FIRES WELCOME MATARIKI
Dates Thursday 23rd-Saturday 25th June
Ceremonial fires signal the arrival of Matariki in Hastings and calling people home, to give thanks for the harvest, remember loved ones and celebrate with whanau and friends. The cauldrons of fire will burn for three days and nights. The seasoned carbon neutral firewood comes from trees felled locally.
KAI HAU AHI
HAUAHI CEREMONY
Thursday 23 June
Time: 5:30am. Where: Civic Square, Eastbourne Street, Hastings
HĀKARI MATARIKI
FEAST MATARIKI & FIREWORKS
Friday 24 June
Time: 5pm to 10pm. Where: Gate 2 for walkers, Gate 1 for cars, Kenilworth Rd, Tomoana Showgrounds. Free entry. Everyone welcome.
Dress up warm to energise the soul and warm the senses in the chill of winter at the first public holiday to celebrate Matariki on Friday 24 June.
The Tomoana Showgrounds will come alive with Feast Matariki so find a table, pull up a seat and join us at our nation’s first national food celebration with live entertainment, and a place of connection, remembrance and renewal for all.
There’s singers, dancers, kapa haka, bands, choirs and hip hop dancers.
We’ve revived the tradition of manu tukutuku kite flying. Tamariki are invited to compete for best dressed kite and longest flying kite time. 5pm to 7pm
There is a spectacular fireworks display at 8.30pm.
NGĀ WHETŪ O MATARIKI
MATARIKI STARS PARADE
Saturday 25 June
Parade Time: 6.30pm Where: Civic Square, Eastbourne Street, Hastings
Cosy up for the Matariki finale and join the lantern parade that will illuminate Hastings CBD. Craft your own lantern at home or collect one from Civic Square to follow the lights and music.
Finish the parade with kai from food trucks or share a plate of traditional hangi before snuggling around the welcome fires to enjoy the Matariki stars digital light show.
After the parade lantern makers will receive a complimentary kai hau kai $5 food voucher to redeem at the food trucks.