2-kilometre Matariki light trail dazzles the city centre...

Believed to be the largest light trail of indigenous art in NZ, if not the world

A reflective light trail, wrapped in the kaupapa (purpose) of Matariki Festival, is a must-see in Auckland’s city centre until 13 July.

Believed to be a world-first in indigenous art, this two-kilometre Matariki light trail traces a path from the original spring in Myers Park, along the historical banks of Te Waihorotiu stream, among the birds and plants which thrived in the Queen Street valley, to the original foreshore of Tāmaki Makaurau and along the water’s edge.

Guided by light and sound effects created by Māori artists, this modern form of Matariki splendour is a celebration of wai (water). The local awa (the waters of Te Waihorotiu stream), moana (the Waitematā Harbour) and the life-giving value of rain are attributed to the stars in the Matariki cluster: Waitī, Waitā and Waipunarangi.

Matariki is a time of reflection and connection, marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. So, this light trail will allow you to pause, think, take it easy, and gather your people for a journey into the rich history of the city centre.

Let the light trail begin!

Step 1 – Waimahara

Step down from upper Queen Street (corner of Mayoral Drive) into Myers Park along a stairway designed by Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) with patterns depicting pātiki (flounder), and discover the captivating light and sounds of Waimahara.

Waimahara asks us to remember Te Waihorotiu, the stream that flows quietly beneath the underpass. Commissioned by Auckland Council, this permanent multi-sensory artwork by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu), technology experts IION, skilled Māori composers and creatives, begins this extraordinary light trail.

Step 2 – Tūrama and Taurima

Once you return to Queen Street, let Tūrama unfold. You’ll discover a series of poignant art installations telling ancient stories of place as your walk takes you towards the sea.

First, you’ll see Horotiu, a 9-metre kaitiaki who symbolically guards the ancestral river, while greeting the waharoa in Aotea Square by celebrated artist Selwyn Murupaenga.

This area carries the historic ngā tapuwae o ngā mana o te whenua (the historic footprints of local Māori tribes) who thrived in this space for hundreds of years.

Next, you’ll see Manu Korokī. Inspired by the works of revered Ringa Whao Fred Graham, flocks of manu (birds) take flight on opposite sides of Queen Street with an accompanying audiotrack mimicking their birdsong.

Look up and you’ll see Kāhu Kōrako high in the crosswires, representing an older kāhu (a hawk) whose plumage has lost the dark colouring of youth and whose feathers have turned grey. 

Turn left into the historic Strand Arcade and you’ll arrive in Elliott Street where Taurima shines among the trees. With symbolism of pātaka kai (food storehouse) suspended above the street in quirky fluoro-neon art created by Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine), Rudi Robinson-Cole (Waikato, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Pāoa, Te Arawa), Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Koroki, Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta), and Angus Muir Design, you will be immersed in the history of this space and place.

Heading back to Queen Street along Victoria Street, look back along this unique viewshaft to the Sky Tower and you might chance to see bespoke Māori art projected onto the city’s biggest canvas. Read about the artists, their narratives and viewing dates here.

Walk towards the harbour and you’ll notice Kawau Tikitiki (a cormorant / shag) suspended in flight above the street, acknowledging this bird’s revered constancy of purpose, resolute nature and speed of action.

You’ll reach the original foreshore, between Shortland and Fort Streets and see the majestic Te Wehenga. Walk beneath Te Wehenga and illuminated imagery will evolve from whenua (land) to moana (sea.)

The role of waharoa (archways) in Māori architectural tradition marks the junction of realms, a transition point where something changes; where you will feel you are leaving something behind and progressing into something new.

Tūrama was created by Graham Tipene, Ataahua Papa and Angus Muir Design, with support from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate. Scan QR-codes at each element for the full story.

Watch artist Graham Tipene walk among the light installations of Tūrama.

Step 3 – Tūhono

The magic of the downtown part of this Matariki light trail begins at Te Komititanga, the square that features permanent works of whāriki (woven welcome mat) where Queen Street meets the sea.

Tūhono (to tie together) is an all-new trail of light installations and lightboxes linking Te Kōmititanga along Galway Street to Takutai Square and Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park (near Spark Arena). 

Artist Arama Tamariki-Enua (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Tumu-te-Varovaro (Rarotonga), Ara’ura (Aitutaki)), has blended tradition with contemporary design. Arama invigorates ancestral rhythms and motifs with modern arrangements of vibrant colours, introducing an immersive journey for all to experience. 

In Takutai Square, Arama Tamariki-Enua worked with Angus Muir and Catherine Ellis on a light and sound installation using patterns that reference tukutuku panels and carving in Tumutumuwhena, with the repetition of the patterns forming the star-like shapes of the Matariki cluster.

An accompanying soundscape, developed in collaboration with Peter Hobbs, brings back sounds of the foreshore and forest before the modern city was founded. The works are projected onto Te Rou Kai, the public artwork made up of a pop-jet fountain and sixteen sculptural stones by an older generation of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artists.

Arama's creation encourages reflection on what is now and what was then. 

The Tūhono light projections in Takutai Square will play every evening untilThursday 10 July with a seven-minute light and sound sequence every quarter-hour 5pm until 10pm. 

Tūhono takes the form of a metaphoric waka, drawing a visual and spiritual line toward Takaparawhau, the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei ancestral stronghold where Tumutumuwhenua their whare tupuna proudly stands. 

Immerse yourself in modern mahi toi (art) and a lightshow within Takutai Square, stroll among the illuminated mature trees of Beach Road, marvel at a 10-storey laser projection onto the NESUTO building and fun light designs within Te Tōangaroa including Te Mātahi o te Tau by Tyrone Ohia and Angus Muir Design. 

Tūhono and these new downtown activations for Matariki are brought to Matariki ki te Manawa in the city centre by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Britomart Group, with support from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.

Head to matarikifestival.org.nz for the full festival line-up.

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