Content Archived on the Web

This content has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please check our menus for latest news items.

Last modified: 06 Jun 2025 12:08pm

A family looking at lights for Matariki

Waikirikiri Selwyn will mark this year’s Matariki in style with a variety of community celebrations, cultural performances, stargazing events, and traditional workshops, culminating in a spectacular event under the stars.

“Māori New Year is one of the highlights of the Selwyn District Council events calendar and we really hope our residents will use the opportunity to get involved to celebrate Matariki,” says Denise Kidd, Executive Director Community Services and Facilities at Selwyn District Council.

The council-run events will take place from June 13 until June 28 across the district, with the main free evening event Mānawatia a Matariki planned for Thursday 19 June in Rolleston Town Centre.

“The interactive light installations at Mānawatia a Matariki will be bigger and brighter than ever before and a free public event that you just don’t want to miss,” says Kidd, who adds that the light installations will stay on display on Friday 20 June as well.

The feature event on Thursday 19 June will create a vibrant atmosphere through magical interactive light displays, kapa haka performances, live music, story-telling and interactive activities for all ages to connect with Māori culture.

One of the highlights includes a live performance by Hone, one of Aotearoa’s rising stars. Hone has graced stages at major events like One Love Festival, shared the stage with heavy hitters like ONEFOUR on their New Zealand tour, and opened for Sammy J and Katchafire on their recent South Island runs.

“He is one of New Zealand’s standout emerging artists, so this is a wonderful chance to catch him and his band live,” says Kidd.

The evening will also feature kapa haka teams from schools around the district to showcase their whakaeke, waiata ā-ringa and haka skills.

The teams performing will represent Te Kura o Papatahora West Melton School, Te Rōhutu Whio, Ngā Puāwai o Tawera,  Te Kura Tuarua o Tāwera Darfield High School and Te Kura Tītoki Kirwee Model School.

The Matariki celebrations kick off a few days earlier, on Friday 13 June, with a performance by Kāi Tahu musician and Arts Laureate Ariana Tikao at Te Ara Ātea. Ariana will demonstrate the unique sounds of Aoteoroa’s ancestral instruments, sing waiata and recite her moving poetry based on the stories of local pūrākau and places.

Matariki marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar, and Kidd suggests residents do not want to miss a unique opportunity to learn about the stars, planets and constellations on Friday 20 June at the Greenpark Memorial Community Centre. Experts from Christchurch Astro Tours will host a 60-minute stargazing tour and help the guests discover the wonders of the night sky.

Events will wrap up on Saturday 28 June when musical duo Loopy Tunes, sisters Leah and Siu will host interactive session of bilingual music, stories and fun at Te Ara Ātea.

Kidd says the Council team is excited about the variety on offer and hopes that most Waikirikiri Selwyn residents will find an event to suit their interests.

“We deliberately have put together a programme to capture as many community groups as possible, for young and old, with day and evening activities, with ticketed performances, as well as events that are free of charge,” says Kidd who encourages residents to check out the website selwyn.govt.nz/matariki for a full list of activities.

light up octopus