Matariki Festival line up revealed

A Māori take on Shakespeare's greatest love story, no holds barred kapa haka, and traditional reed boat making are among more than 100 events in this year's Matariki Festival.

The festival, celebrating the rise of the Matariki constellation, signifies the start of Māori New Year and begins 20 June with a Dawn Karakia on Maungakiekie(One Tree Hill). The festival runs until 19 July.

Chair of Auckland Council’s Arts and Culture Committee, Alf Filipaina, says it’s important having a unique festival that’s truly New Zealand.

“Matariki 2015 is a celebration of community and iwi and an opportunity for people of all ages to take part in the festival and learn more about Māori culture.

“This ancient Māori celebration and its traditions is a chance for Aucklanders to remind ourselves of the underlying principles of sharing, learning, feasting and festivity.”

This year’s line-up sees the return of contemporary kapa haka competition, the 2degrees Kapa Haka Super 12s, regional entertainment programme Matariki on the Move, including concerts by Rob Ruha and the Black Quartet and singer songwriter Ed Waaka, and Romeo rāua ko Hurieta, the world premiere of Shakespeare's romantic classic in te reo.

Held in venues throughout Auckland, signature events such as the Super 12s and family fun day Manu Aute Kite Day at Orakei Marae are complemented by community events including art exhibitions, theatre productions and family activities.

Māori programme leader Anahera Higgins says this year's line-up, as well as having a great blend of traditional and modern Māori elements, is all about bringing together a mix of fun, educational and entertaining events.

"With the many community events alongside our key signature events, this is the best line up yet and it's testament to the continued growth of the festival,” she says.

The festival was launched today with The Long Hakari (Feast) at Auckland Museum featuring a menu created by prominent Māori chefs Tu Fearn of Harbourside and Nancye Pirini of Novotel Auckland Airport.

Inspired by the chefs’ heritage and their take on Māori food and traditional ingredients, Fearn's main of Confit Belly of Pork was his version of Pork and Puha and Pirini's Polenta Cake recalls steam pudding and runny cream.

The festival programme is scattered with exciting events; Māori celebrity chef Rewi Spraggon leads Wanaga-a-Kai – Hangi Making Workshops at Te Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier and Pakuranga’s Te Tahawai Marae in early July.

Super 12s is once again on at The Cloud on 11 July and this year is preceded by The Curtain Raiser, a secondary schools kapa haka competition featuring some of the best school teams from around the North Island.

Other highlights include Manu Aute Kite Day on 18 July at Ōrākei Marae with Ngati Whatua conducting rolling powhiri at the marae throughout the day to give members of the public a chance to experience a Māori welcome first hand.

Key events to look out for:
• Dawn Karakia: Welcome in the start of the Matariki Festival and the Māori New Year with a karakia on the summit of Maungakiekie. Saturday 20 June, 6am
• Kia Ora Shorts: Showcase of seven Māori short films – curated by Leo Koziol, Director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. Tuesday, 23 June, Black Note, 223 Symonds Street
• Matariki on the Move: A series of free concerts starting on 24 June with The Ed Waaka Band at Te Mahurehure Marae, Point Chevalier and running throughout the festival. Other performers include Rob Ruha with the Black Quartet, comedy show Double Derelicts and Hawaiki Tu Haka Theatre Company.
• Mika Haka Foundation presents Matariki Mix-It Mika Haka “Darker” + BBOY, Kapa Haka and contemporary dance. Saturday 20 June, Te Pou Theatre, New Lynn and 26 and 27 June, Basement Theatre, Greys Ave
• Mōkihi – Māori traditional reed boat workshop: Learn how to make a traditional reed boat. Sunday 5 July, Arataki Visitor Centre Lecture Room, Titirangi
• Ngā Aho Whakaari Matariki Shorts: Ngā Aho Whakaari will present three nights of Māori short films in association with the ASB Trust/ Foundation North. The night will begin with Two Cars One Night and end with a tribute to the memory of our ANZAC tīpuna with the poignant film “Tama Tū” Mangere Arts Centre 20 and 21 June and Sir Paul Reeves Building Monday 22 June
• Wananga-a-kai – Hangi making workshop: Learn how to make a traditional hangi with Māori chef Rewi Spraggon. Sunday, 5 July, Te Mahurehure Marae, Point Chevalier
• Rōmeo rāua ko Hurieta: A te reo performance of Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet. 7-11 July, Māori Court, Auckland Museum
• 2degrees Kapa Haka Super 12s: 12 teams, 12 minutes, $12,000 prize money up for grabs. Saturday, 11 July, The Cloud, Queens Wharf
• Manu Aute Kite Day: Fly kites with the whole family. Saturday 18 July, Orakei Marae
• Matariki on the Waterfront: The festival finale with food, music, art, culture and performances. 17-19 July, Silo Park, Auckland Waterfront
Go to matarikifestival.org.nz for more information. #Matariki15

ENDS

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