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Last modified: 22 Jun 2021 10:23am

A sky full of stars over a lake with the Council Matariki logo in the corner

A festival of events celebrating to the stars and back will be part of marking Matariki in Waikirikiri/Selwyn.

Matariki, which begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades), signals the Māori New Year and is considered a time of celebration and renewal.

In Selwyn, the Council hosting a wide range of events from 2–11 July to celebrate, covering stories, music, food, sports, medicine and most of all spending time with whānau and celebrating community.

Council Group Manager Community Services and Facilities Denise Kidd says Matariki is a special occasion in our mid-winter calendar.

“It is a time of celebration and a time of renewal. As the Council works with a range of community partners, we are excited to be ‘learning’ our way into different opportunities and ways to express the true meaning of Matariki, here in Waikirikiri.”

The events will begin with a stargazing evening and will include workshops on manu tukutuku (kite making), rongoā (traditional Māori medicine) and traditional and modern workshops on mahinga kai. The mahinga kai workshops will include a chance to make your own mōkihi (a raft for transporting food) and cook some modern takes with Manu and Joe from Suburban Eatery.

Journeys of Manu, is back. Use the smartphone app to be guided through the story of maramataka or the Māori lunar calendar, as you walk trails in Foster Park, McHughes Forest, Lakeside Domain and along the Liffey. The Journeys of Manu app can be downloaded from arajourneys.com/journeys-of-manu-maramataka.

People are also being encouraged to host Meet Your Street events, with the Council offering up to $75 for people to host a street party.

“Matariki is a time for community and we’re encouraging and supporting people to get to know your hapori.”

The celebrations will finish with a Puaka Whānau Day at the Selwyn Sports Centre with games of Ki-o-Rahi, a taonga takaro (traditional Maori game) and Nga Mahi a te rehia (activities), Manu Tukutuku (Kite flying) along with makete (markets), modern and traditional puoro (music) and of course some great kai (food).

For times, events and more see our matariki page.