Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum will celebrate Matariki this July with a programme of free whānau performances, storytelling and hands-on learning for Tamariki.
Matariki, signals te Mātahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, gathering together, and looking ahead to the future.
Programme highlights include a special book reading and launch with celebrated author Witi Ihimaera, performances by The New Zealand Dance Company, an evening talk exploring the significance of Pōhutukawa, and a Mini Museum Members’ session for tamariki to learn more about the Matariki stars and their connections to te taiao.
The Astromancer by Witi Ihimaera: Matariki Storytelling & Book Launch
Sunday 5 July, 10.30am & 11.30am
Orientation Space, Te Ao Mārama South Atrium
Free
Whānau are invited to join beloved Aotearoa author Witi Ihimaera DCNZM QSM for a special Matariki book reading and launch, returning to the realm of The Astromancer in the third and final pukapuka in the series, Ariā and the Monster Island / Ariā me te Motu Pouākai.
Bring the tamariki and immerse yourself in a beautiful tale that captures stories, deities, monsters and tūpuna of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
Books in te reo Māori and English will be available to purchase from Hokohoko, the Museum Store, with book signing after the readings.
Looking Back to Move Forward: The Call of Pōhutukawa
Tuesday 7 July, 6pm–7.30pm
Orientation Space, Ground Floor
Pay what you can, bookings essential
Pōhutukawa is a special star within te whānau a Matariki, the Matariki family. The eldest of Matariki’s children, Pōhutukawa represents our connection to the past and to our tīpuna.
In this talk, Talena Hansen, Head of Education at Auckland Museum, will delve into the pou (pillars) of traditional Māori society and how these underpin the meaning and practice surrounding te Mātatahi o te Tau and Matariki, and how special stars like Pōhutukawa can be celebrated and honoured.
Matariki for Tamariki
New Zealand Dance Company
Friday 10, Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July, 11am & 1pm
Te Ao Mārama South Atrium
Free
Bring along your tamariki and celebrate Matariki with this amazing free performance Matariki for Tamariki from The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC).
Settle in under the tanoa in Te Ao Mārama, our South Atrium, for Matariki for Tamariki, a whānau-friendly work in celebration of ritual and renewal.
Accomplished New Zealand dancer and choreographer, 2023 Arts Laureate Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa) brings to life a group of friends who journey throughout Aotearoa during the Matariki season – an annual custom that honours ongoing relationships to place and each other.
Join this band of players as they discover the landscape of lush ngahere (forests), mighty maunga (mountains), and majestic moana (oceans), while encountering flora and fauna through the seasonal change.
Mini Members’ Event: Growing, Sharing, Shining with Matariki
Thursday 16 July, 10am & 2pm
Learning Labs, Level 1
Free for Mini Museum Members, $20 for non-members
Bookings essential
Every year, at the time of the winter solstice, we watch the Matariki star cluster rise in our early morning skies marking te Mātahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year. This is a time used for reflection of the past, gathering together to celebrate the present, honouring our tīpuna (ancestors), and looking forward to the future.
Come and join us to learn more about each of the Matariki stars and their special meanings. In this session we will learn a song about Matariki and explore some objects of the past that relate to the meanings of the Matariki stars and their ties to te taiao (the natural world).
This event is free for Mini Museum Members! Find out how to become a Mini Museum Member.
Lighting of the Museum for Matariki
Wednesday 8 – Saturday 11 July
As one of Auckland’s heritage buildings, Auckland Museum will honour Matariki by lighting the building in orange, representing the rising of the sun in the morning.
For more information, visit aucklandmuseum.com.
