Te Whanganui-
A-Orotū
MATARIKI WHANGAI I TE HAUTAPU
TE WHANGANUI A OROTU - NAPIER
MATARIKI CEREMONY & STORYTELLING
Wednesday 8th & Saturday 11th July
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
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 of commemorating the passing of loved ones, making plans for the upcoming year, feastings, celebrating and giving thanks for the harvest.
MATARIKI - WHANGAI I TE HAUTAPU - HAU AHI
Matariki Ceremony
Wednesday 8 July 6 am - 7 am
A pre-dawn ceremony in three parts to observe the stars, call the names of those who have passed, and make a food offering to the Matariki star cluster in the form of steam rising to the skies. Stories will be shared, prayers spoken, names of loved ones called into the air, and a hāngī offered as the first sunrise of the Māori New Year breaks across the Pacific Ocean.
The public is welcome to send the full name of a loved one or friend who passed since the last Matariki, to be called aloud in the pre-dawn ceremony.
All are welcome to be included. Send an email to the Event Manager, Te Rangi Huata terangi@kahungunu.iwi.nz. Please write the full name of the person to be called aloud.
Now open until 5pm 3rd July.
Free entry. All welcome. Hākari served for all.
546 Marine Parade South, Napier
(Next to the Spirit of Napier Statue)
MATARIKI MAHUIKA
Matariki E Kai Night Market, Mahuika Fires, Waka Maimai Aroha Lanterns, and Live Entertainment
Saturday 11 July 4.00 to 9.00 pm
Matariki E Kai Night Market
Feast by the Beach in Napier, a destination for foodies to savour Matariki hero dishes and music under the magical festoon lights.
Matariki Mahuika Fires
Gather around the beach fires as storytellers share tales of old beneath the night sky. Matariki Mahuika invites whānau and friends to come together on the beach around small fires - bringing guitars, roasted marshmallows, cooked kai, stories, songs, or simply each other’s company beneath the stars. Organisers hope the evening will inspire people to create rituals of their own: simple acts of togetherness, remembrance, and connection that can be carried forward through generations.
Waka Maimai Aroha (lantern) Procession.
Write a message of remembrance, reflection and gratitude on a lantern and launch it into the Spirit of Napier Fountain. One free lantern per family. These are biodegradable.
Live DJ & Stage Entertainment
Music for the Soul!
There's free off-street parking in the foreshore reserve. Parking staff onsite.
Free entry. 6 pm to 9 pm Saturday, 11 July. Night Market Kai trucks on site.
546 Marine Parade South, Napier
(Next to the Spirit of Napier Statue)