Matariki at the Auckland Museum

Saturdays light up at Auckland Museum for Matariki!

Every Saturday from late June to early July, Auckland Museum celebrates Matariki with a free programme of events for the whole family.

Matariki is the Maori name for the star cluster, also known as Pleiades, that appears over a period from late June to early July signaling the beginning the Maori New Year. It was traditionally a time for planting and harvesting, of family coming together to celebrate their joys, to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Children were taught folklore and about their heritage, while knowledge and history was shared through song, dance, story telling, carving, weaving and ceremonies.

This year, Matariki at Auckland Museum will focus on Tane Mahuta – God of the Forest, with a range of programmes designed for the whole whanau, from craft activities and slide shows to films, music, talks and tours.

Matariki highlights include:
-- A fun free afternoon of music with multi award-winning artist Ruia Aperahama ("What's the time Mr Wolf?") kicks off the celebrations.

-- Mana Waka - 1991 feature-length documentary showing the long, slow unfolding of the construction of three large waka taua (war canoe) commissioned for the 1940 centenary of the Treaty of Waitangi by Princess Te Puea Herangi. The documentary, directed by Mereta Mita, uses footage shot by RGH Manley between 1937 and 1940.

-- Two forms of craft synonymous with Tane will also be on demonstration throughout Matariki. Raranga, the art of flax weaving, is full of symbolism, hidden meanings, and the embodiment of spiritual values and beliefs of the Maori people. Toi Whakairo shows the process of carving with master carver Rangi Wills, demonstrating his exquisite carving skills and knowledge of whakairo.

-- Te Wao Nui a Tane (A Talk on the Realm of Tane) with Kipa Rangiheuea is one of three talks this season which teaches the Maori customs and protocols relating to the world of Tane. This is followed by Stanley Conrad’s recollections of captaining the waka hourua Te Aurere using traditional methods such as the sun, the night sky, and ocean currents to navigate their way from New Zealand to Rangitoto with Te Matauranga o Nga Whetu Me Whakatere Moana (Astronomy and Ocean Navigation).

-- Interactive and exciting activities for children. Pacific Educator Leilani Salesa and Ma’ara Maeva discuss the Stories Celebrating Matariki in the Wider Pacific – poetry, song, ukulele demonstration, dance and puppetry will no doubt engage all the senses. Toi Harakeke and Face Painting will also be on offer for kids, learning how to make a wearable Matariki crown from flax and adorn Maori symbols on their face. As always, Weird and Wonderful will be providing Matariki storytelling, with Nga Pakiwaitara mo Matariki.

Please visit www.aucklandmuseum.com for more information.