Matariki on the Waterfront 2014

Waterfront Auckland is thrilled to announce a diverse selection of events celebrating the final weekend of Matariki Festival. Matariki Festival is a month-long programme and as the largest indigenous celebration in the country, this event is the perfect opportunity to come together in one of Auckland's favourite spaces to share, connect and be entertained at the coming of the new year.

From an evening of sensory exploration on 25 July featuring a range of sound and light artists and running through a weekend of markets, performances, and workshops detailing New Zealand Māori practices and stories, the final weekend of Matariki on the Waterfront at Silo Park is the ideal culmination to a magnificent and exceptional festival, celebrating our unique Māori tikanga (customs).

Place Manager for Waterfront Auckland, Frith Walker says having such a rich programme for Matariki this year is an important step in the building of a renewed relationship with Iwi in the region as a way of enhancing principles of Kaitiakitanga (custodianship) on the Auckland waterfront.

“The waterfront is where this city began, where tangata whenua traded by waka in pre-European times and where the first sign of settlement emerged over 300 years ago. It is more than fitting then it plays host to a number of creative and cultural demonstrations in Wynyard Quarter this Matariki as we look to help revive Taonga Maori on the waterfront.”

Sound and Light

An array of light and sound will resonate around Silo Park from 5pm on Friday 15th July; a display of powerful projection mapping across Silo 6 and Silo 7 as well as light and sound installations around the park. Artists involved include Jon Baxter, Angus Muir, Lakshman Anandanayagam and Johnson Witehira. Street food will available from a range of vendors and the Silo Park container bar.

A select group of incredible local DJs will bring a lively ambience to an already spectacular sensory evening.

Mighty Matariki Markets

More than 50 stalls provide the backdrop to an exciting weekend rich with culture. From 12noon through to 5pm on both Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July there are goods on offer from Soldiers Road Portraits, vintage clothing from Cockspur Vintage, Te Kaha Pounamu (greenstone necklaces/carving), and Mahana (precious vintage blanket clothing). Delicious street vendors will be serving their culinary specialities around the marketplace, including The Roaming Dive, Jamaican me Hungry, The Food Truck (from widely reputed Food Truck Garage and television show), Stumpy's Wood Fired Pizza, The Beverage Boy, and The Hangi Shop (TBC).

Workshops

Taking place in Silo Six throughout the markets is a curated group of workshops inviting people into the history of Matariki and the ancient legends and protocol of Māori culture. This is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from those who know it best.

Running throughout the month of July between 10am and 2pm on weekend days is a very special live exhibition - Nga Whaotapu o Tamaki Makarau (The Sacred Chisels of Tamaki Makaurau). Featuring six carvers representing the five tribal regions of Tamaki Makarau, this is the first major art collaboration of mana whenua (the original Māori people of Auckland), making for a truly extraordinary series of events.

Also running throughout the month will be Māori Cultural Workshops, seeking to engage family units in a learning and understanding of Matariki through the practice of Mahi Toi (creative arts) in order to Remember, Prepare & Celebrate the year past and the year to come. The sharing of kaupapa (purpose), values, concepts, philosophies, wisdom, knowledge and skills through Matauranga (education) is an important part of Matariki.

The Legends of Maui

Join Rewi Spraggon and Riki Bennett on an epic journey of Māori storytelling at its best with the ancients sounds of Taonga Puoro (traditional Māori instruments) bringing a wonderfully dramatic tale to life. This presentation will take place eight times across the weekend at Silo Six.

Wananga Matariki - The Ancient History of Matariki

Rereata Makiha takes us through the importance of Matariki, fishing calendars, astronomy and gardening in the context of Māori history and culture in New Zealand. This workshop will take place over four sessions at Silo Six.

Tā moko - Skin Deep

This is a rare opportunity to witness the beautiful art and ceremony of Taamoko; live tattooing with local tattoo artist Graham ‘Grayza’ Tipene from Te Wheke Moko at Silo Six.

Whakangahau (Performance)

Alongside the Matariki Markets, a stage will host live performances from a variety of artists from 12noon until 5pm, bringing the sound of Māori culture to Silo Park’s Matariki celebrations. Performances will include the Modern Māori Quartet, Whenua Patuwai with the Levites (the former made famous in 2013’s X-Factor NZ) and award-winning contemporary composer and musician Dudley Benson. Mr. Benson will bring his unique fusion of contemporary waiata (sung in Te Reo Māori) and beat-box to Silo Park for a magical show. This beautiful group of artists displays some of New Zealand’s richest talent, and is sure to be a highlight of the Festival.

July 28 marks the end of our celebrations at Silo Park as Matariki is seen low in the north-east sky, and the new year begins. Together as a community we share knowledge, prepare and celebrate the commencement of a new life cycle, as the NZ Māori have done for generations.

Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.

Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!

Matariki re-appears, Whānui starts its flight.

Being the sign of the [new] year!

ends

© Scoop Media