Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which appears in the dawn sky in midwinter. It is a time for us to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and look to the future. For many, Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year, Te Mātahi o te Tau. It is a time to remember those who have passed away since the last rising of Matariki, to celebrate the harvest, and to plan for the year ahead. Matariki is a time for families and the community to come together to celebrate with feasting, singing and storytelling.  

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Free family craft activities

Every day 10am-4pm.  No need to book, just drop in.

12 - 25 June            Star weaving

Come and make your own Matariki stars from simple materials, to take home or give away to a friend.

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26 June – 9 July     Community cloak

Bring a message to write to someone you care about, write it on fabric and weave this into our communal frame.  Watch it grow into a cloak of good wishes for the future.

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10 – 23 July             Light kites

Kites in Te Ao Māori have been flown not only for fun, but also to communicate, including with those who have passed on, connecting heaven and earth.  Come and make your own Matariki manu tukutuku (kite) using beautiful coloured materials.

Artist insights and stories

Sunday 9 July 2pm

Steve Solomon, kaiwhakairo (master carver) demonstration and kōrero

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Sunday 16 July 2pm

Roka Hurihia Cameron shows and talks about her beautiful kākahu (woven cloaks)

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Sunday 23 July 2pm

Waiata performance by local group Ngā Manu Hou

Community kai nights

Come and taste some of Tāhuna Queenstown’s most colourful cultures. These events are free but please register by clicking on the dates below to help us with managing numbers.

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6 - 8pm on each of the following dates:

‍Tuesday 20 June: Japanese Family Society

Tuesday 27 June: Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei community

Wednesday 5 July: Peruvian community

Free film screenings

Saturday 24 June

11am: Ever the Land - a People, a Place, their building

2.30pm: Te Matakite o Aotearoa – The Māori Land March

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Saturday 22 July

11am: Te Matakite o Aotearoa – The Māori Land March

2.30pm: Ever the Land - a People, a Place, their building

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Cover image credit: EVER THE LAND, Tame Iti, 2015