Media Release
5 June 2007

Manukau City’s Matariki Celebrations

Matariki, the Maori New Year, will be celebrated throughout June with events in Manukau City Council’s Libraries and Arts Centres.

At Manukau Libraries the theme is Tatai Korereo, Tatai Tangata. Events and displays will focus on the relationship Maori have with Matariki and the telling of stories of people and places that make Manukau unique. The theme ties in with this year’s Writers in Manukau Libraries programme which focuses on the telling of Manukau’s stories.

Events at Manukau Libraries include a taonga puoro session with Rangiiria Hedley a renowned authority on traditional Maori music and instruments, weaving workshops with Tui Te Paa, Matariki korero with local kaumatua Pita Turei and artist Peter Boyd, local Maori legends with Whaea Taini Drummond, an art exhibition and special Matariki storytimes.

Manukau Arts will celebrate Matariki with an exhibition by local artists influenced by the Matariki star constellation at the Mangere Arts Centre, an eclectic textile exhibition curated by fashion designer Jeanine Clarkin and tukutuku (kite) and poi workshops at Nathan Homestead in Manurewa.

A full programme on Matariki events in Manukau is attached. Matariki festival events happening in the wider Auckland region can be found on the festival website: www.matarikifestival.org.nz.

ENDS

Manukau Arts: Matariki Events 2007

TE KOPURA O TE WHETU - THE TWINKLE OF A STAR

To mark the heralding of the Maori New Year, Toi O Manukau presents a dazzling display of whetu (stars) in this exhibition. Created by artists young and old, the gallery walls and space will be completely filled with stars and star-inspired art works. Come along and participate in a special interactive space where you can create your own star to add to the exhibition.

What: Te Kopura o te Whetu – The Twinkle of a Star
When: Thursday 7 June - Saturday 7 July
Where: Mangere Arts Centre, Shop 17, Mangere Shopping Centre, 93 Bader Drive, Mangere
Phone: 09 275 0482
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 8.30am to 3pm
Entry: FREE
More information can be found at: www.matariki.org.nz

AWHI MAI - EMBRACE

The impact and influence of the blanket is pivotal to this eclectic textile exhibition curated by Jeanine Clarkin and presented by Toi O Manukau. In this exhibition, the simple blanket will go through an artistic revamp and an elevated status from mere bed covering, through to a must-have and sought after fashion item as well as appearing on art gallery walls.

Invited artists will give their interpretation of the blanket’s role in our country’s political and cultural climates from the past, the present and looking forward to the future. The art works will explore the humble blanket, its function, appearance
and symbolism.

What: Awhi Mai - Embrace
When: Friday 8 June - Sunday 8 July
Where: Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa
Phone: 09 267 0180
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm to 4pm
Entry: FREE
More information can be found at: www.matariki.org.nz

MANU TUKUTUKU - KITE MAKING WORKSHOP (10 to 14YR OLDS)

Construct your very own manu tukutuku (kite) and decorate it with beautiful Maori patterns. You will get to fly it at the end of the day.

What: Manu Tukutuku – Kite Making Workshop
When: Monday 2 July, 9am to 3pm
Where: Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa
Phone: 09 267 0180
Entry: $25 (workshop materials are included). Please register in advance.
More information can be found at: www.matariki.org.nz

POI MAKING WORKSHOP (10 to 14YR OLDS)

In this workshop, you will get to make poi balls and learn the poi actions.

Originally, poi were used to increase hand and wrist flexibility, strength and coordination. They are now better known for their use by kapa haka Maori performing groups, with poi balls being swung rhythmically in time
to music, song and dance.

What: Poi Making Workshop
When: Tuesday 3 July, 9am to 3pm
Where: Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa
Phone: 09 267 0180
Entry: $25 (workshop materials are included). Please register in advance.
More information can be found at: www.matariki.org.nz

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Matariki 07 / Tatai Korero, Tatai Tangata / Thursday 14 - Thursday 21 June /

Thursday 14 June / Tupu Library / Raranga/ Weaving session with Tui Te Paa, 10.00am
/ Pakuranga Library / Matariki Storytime, 10.30 - 11.00am
/ Papatoetoe Library / Raranga/ Weaving Activities 3.30pm
/ Mangere East Library / Matariki Storytime, 6.00 - 6.30pm
/ Te Matariki Clendon Library / Taonga Puoro session with Rangiiria Hedley, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Friday 15 June / Mangere Town Centre Library / Matariki Storytime, 10.30 - 11.00am
Saturday 16 June / Botany Library / Matariki Storytime, 12.00 - 12.30pm
Sunday 17 June
Monday 18 June / Manurewa Library / Matariki Storytime, 6.00 - 6.30pm
Tuesday 19 June / Tupu Library / Raranga/ Weaving session with Tui Te Paa, 12.50pm
/ Highland Park Library / Local Maori Legends with Taini Drummond, 1.30 - 2.30pm
/ Pakuranga Library / Matariki Korero with Pita Turei, 3.30 - 4.30pm
/ Tupu Library / Raranga/ Weaving session with Tui Te Paa, 3.30pm
Wednesday 20 June / Mangere East Library / Matariki Storytime, 10.00 - 10.30am
/ Otara Library / Art and Matariki Korero with Peter Boyd, 11.00 - 12.00pm
/ Tupu Library / Raranga/ Weaving session with Tui Te Paa, 12.45pm
/ Howick Library / Local Maori Legends with Taini Drummond, 1.30 - 2.30pm
/ Te Matariki Clendon Library / Community Coffee Evening, 6.30 - 8.00pm
Thursday 21 June / Pakuranga Library / Local Maori Legends with Taini Drummond, 1.30 - 2.30pm
/ Manurewa Library / Matariki Korero with Pita Turei, 3.30 - 4.30pm
/ Mangere Town Centre Library / Community Coffee Evening and Matariki art installation with Ranea Takiari, 5.00 - 7.00pm

All week / Botany Library / Exhibition of Matariki art works

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