Matariki 2022
9 Pipiri June – 9 Hōngongoi July 2022
Venue: Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
Ōtautahi is home to talented Māori artists who shine through every creative practice within our communities. Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre invites you to celebrate Matariki 2022 with us as we partner with some amazing local artists and showcase ngā toi (the arts). Gather your whānau and friends to enjoy a range of events to mark the occasion. Ngā toi is for everyone.
About Matariki
Matariki is the Māori New Year based on the lunar calendar. It is a time to celebrate new life, remember those who’ve passed on, and plan for the future. The start of the new dawn is a time to gather with whānau and friends and celebrate what has been and what is to come.
The full name of the Matariki star cluster is “Ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea” – the eyes of the ariki Tāwhirimātea, god of the winds and weather. When Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated from their dark embrace by Tāne, Tāwhirimātea was distraught. He tore out his eyes, crushed them into pieces and stuck them onto the chest of the sky.
This star cluster is known by many names throughout the world. In Hawaii it is known as Makali’i – eyes of the king, in Greece it is known as Pleiades, and in Japan it is most famously known as Subaru.
The nine stars in the constellation of Matariki oversee different areas of importance in Māori life. They are; Matariki, Pōhutukawa, Waitī, Waitā, Waipuna-ā-rangi, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Ururangi, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi. Early Māori did not view the constellation as a whole when gaining knowledge for the year ahead, but instead sought insight from the individual stars.
For mana whenua Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Matariki is an important time. This is the time when whānau ensure their pātaka (food storehouses) are full. It is a time for them to reflect and plan how the land and waterways should be nurtured and prepared to ensure a bountiful and sustainable harvest season.
The Arts Centre’s Matariki programme is supported by the Christchurch City Council Events and Festivals Fund and Te Puni Kōkiri.
Matariki 2022 Programme
Keep checking back as we continue to add more events and activities.
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Exhibition
9 Pipiri June - 9 Hōngongoi July First floor, Boys’ High
Inspired by Hiwa-i-te-Rangi the whetū of peoples aspirations, nine Māori artists celebrate Matariki at the Pūmanawa exhibition space. Find out more
Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū
21 Pipiri June - 4 Hōngongoi July North Quad
In this exciting new dance film by Daniel Belton being projected across the North Quad, Ad Parnassum - Purapurawhetū, dancers become part of a shared visual and sculptural language. Find out more
The Lion King Reo Māori
23 Pipiri June - 7 Hōngongoi July West Lecture
The '90s Disney classic is revoiced in Te Reo Māori. It is a film full of colourful animal characters and a classic battle between good and evil. Rating PG. Violence. Find out more
th’Orchard Dreamers - Chapter 2
1 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Come and commune with th’Orchard as they share their stories through song, spoken word and visual art, telling their journey under Waipuna-ā-rangi – the water that pools in the sky. Find out more
Passing The Time - Stone Hammering Wānanga
2 Hōngongoi July School of Art
Join Areta Wilkinson (Kāi Tahu) in this special hands-on workshop using stone-age technologies and recycled materials. Find out more
Te Tau Hou 2022
3 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Te Tau Hou 2022 is a celebration of composition and composers based in Ōtautahi. Find out more
Kapa Haka Showcase
3 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Bring the whole whānau to enjoy a showcase of this ancient and living, Māori cultural performing artform featuring kaitiaki and performers from Te Ahikaaroa, Ngā Manu a Tāne, and Te Pou Tūmārō. Find out more
Pōhutukawa
5 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Pōhutukawa is a sound and movement experience created by Byllie-Jean that features some of the finest performers in Aotearoa. Find out more
Mauri Tu, Mauri Ora
6 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
An evening of beautiful, timeless and inspired music guided by the insights of Matariki for the planet, for our communities and for living well. Find out more
Starry Night - Matariki Sketch Evening
6 Hōngongoi July School of Art
Capture the Gothic Revival architecture of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre at night in pencil, crayon and pastel. Find out more
Te Waka Whaka Hou The Canoe of the Rebuild
2022 First floor, Boys’ High
Riki Manuel was part of Arts Waka, and created this beautiful Waka from earthquake rubble. Find out more
Other Events You Might Like
Kapa Haka Showcase
3 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Bring the whole whānau to enjoy a showcase of this ancient and living, Māori cultural performing artform featuring kaitiaki and performers from Te Ahikaaroa, Ngā Manu a Tāne, and Te Pou Tūmārō.
Te Tau Hou 2022
3 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Te Tau Hou 2022 is a celebration of composition and composers based in Ōtautahi.
The Lion King Reo Māori
23 Pipiri June - 7 Hōngongoi July West Lecture
The '90s Disney classic is revoiced in Te Reo Māori. It is a film full of colourful animal characters and a classic battle between good and evil. Rating PG. Violence.
Free
Kapa Haka Showcase
3 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Bring the whole whānau to enjoy a showcase of this ancient and living, Māori cultural performing artform featuring kaitiaki and performers from Te Ahikaaroa, Ngā Manu a Tāne, and Te Pou Tūmārō.
Te Tau Hou 2022
3 Hōngongoi July Great Hall
Te Tau Hou 2022 is a celebration of composition and composers based in Ōtautahi.
The Lion King Reo Māori
23 Pipiri June - 7 Hōngongoi July West Lecture
The '90s Disney classic is revoiced in Te Reo Māori. It is a film full of colourful animal characters and a classic battle between good and evil. Rating PG. Violence.