Nau mai, haere mai ki O Wairoa Marae.
Celebrate Matariki, the Māori new year, with a day of festivities at O Wairoa Marae.
Matariki hunga nui.
During the Matariki festivities, people gather together to celebrate the passing of the year and the hope of a new season. This whakataukī speaks to us about the gathering of people during Matariki.
From the free BBQ to the hands-on workshops, performances and music, there is a place for everyone. Uncover the beauty of te ao Māori through creativity, discovery, performance and adventure. We welcome you to participate or be part of the audience.
Please contact info@tetuhi.art with any access requirements.
What's on:
7am
Dawn ceremony
Te Wharenui o Matariki
9am
Matariki exhibition opening
Fencible walk, Picton Street
This exhibition is an invitation for locals to reengage with the indigenous culture, through it’s taonga and the principles that support the artists collaborative practices. Learn more on the Arts Out East website.
10am
Festival opening
Pōhutukawa clearing (between UXBRIDGE and Te Whare Ora)
10:30am – close of the day
Free BBQ
Join our singing BBQ director Jimmy Ruka.
10:30am – 3:30pm
Pūrākau and tītītōrea (short stick game) with Taini Drummond
Te Wharenui o Matariki & Whare Taonga (museum)
Join our kuia Taini Drummond in the wharenui for Matariki stories and exercise your peripheral vision and reflexes through an exciting tītītōrea workshop. You will also learn about Emilia Maud Nixon’s Garden of Memories in Te Whare Taonga.
10:30am – 3:30pm
Te Taiao – Natural world
Ngāhere (bush) & Māra kai (garden)
How does the time of Matariki connect to our planting and harvesting? Spend time in the Ngāhere and Māra kai with our guides.
10:30am – 12pm
Matariki: Ko koe ko au, ko au ko koe
Dance workshop with Touch Compass
Uxbridge Theatre
Touch Compass will present a 90 minute workshop based on their Matariki educational resource, led by Touch Compass tutors Alisha McLennan Marler and Julie van Renen. The workshop consists of guided warm up and movement games, followed by teaching NZSL (NZ sign language) movements for each of the nine Matariki stars. Tutors will assist participants in finding ways to embody these movements and create a Matariki dance together.
Touch Compass is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading professional arts organisation whose work is disability-led. Through Touch Compass, individuals and organisations can grow their disability consciousness and awareness, champion diversity and inclusiveness.
10:30am – 3:30pm
Raranga – Weaving
Uxbridge Hall
Ever wanted to see how the leaves of the harakeke (flax) weave together to create magnificent items? Now it's your chance! Come and give it a try for yourself.
10:30am – 11:30am
Poi making
Uxbridge Hall
Build up your very own! An exciting opportunity to create and play.
10:30am – 3pm
He ara uku – a way with clay
Uxbridge Hall
Explore what your hands can create with a ball of clay, discover the possibilities of the humble pinch pot with Todd and Karuna Douglas.
10:30am – 3pm
International Women’s Association of New Zealand
Uxbridge Green Room
A day of interactive activities including:
→ Dumpling making and tasting
→ Language corner (learn some Mandarin and te reo)
→ Paper cutting workshop making symbols of the new year
→ Floral artistry demonstration
→ Sugar art workshop for all ages
→ Traditional Chinese tea ceremony
11am – 2pm
Pūoro – Musical instruments
Ngāhere (bush)
Discover new and traditional Māori instruments.
11am & 2pm (2 x 30 minute sessions)
Mau rākau – Weaponry using long sticks
Outside Te Wharenui o Matariki
Our experts will be demonstrating and sharing some weaponry movements, join in or marvel from a distance.
12pm – 1pm
Chinese cultural performance and story
Uxbridge Theatre
Chinese Classic Dance - Yan Yu Fu
By Anita Ji, Jo Guo (ADM Dance Studio)
Yan Yu Fu: It tells a story of two women's journey to maintain their ardour of literature while in a brothel, which strengthens them with dignity and pride.
Waist Drum Dance - Great Prosperity
By NZ Wu Qiao Dance School
Chinese Folk Music
By NZ Chinese Blossom Art Troup
→ Jubilation
→ A Fisherman's Song
→ Horse Racing
→ A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix
Multimedia Storytelling
→ Behind Chinese Valentines Day – Star-crossed lovers Cowboy and Weaver Girl
→ The Story of the Chinese Zodiac – The Great Race
→ Legend Stories about the Chinese lunar New Year
1:15pm – 1:45pm
Bilingual storytime at Howick Library
Howick Library
Aimed at tamariki and their caregivers in celebration of Matariki.
1:30pm – 2pm
Eastern Stars Concert Band
Outside
1:30pm – 2pm
Sowers Trust
Uxbridge Theatre
Sowers Trust and Pakuranga College boys from Year 11 present Samoan and Tongan performances.
2pm – 4pm
Kapa Haka
Uxbridge Theatre
Performances by Macleans Primary School, Wakaaranga Primary School, Pakuranga College & Cockle Bay School.