Thanksgiving Festival Growing in Glen Innes

Thursday, 30 June 2016, 10:18 am
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Thanksgiving Festival Growing in Glen Innes

It’s that time of the year when winter brings a twinkle in the eastern skies to herald the arrival of Matariki (the Pleiades star cluster). Hundreds of people across the region will be attending functions that revives the tradition of giving thanks for the harvest – and celebrating and preparing for the new year planting season. Traditional Māori foods will be shared, stories told, new knowledge learnt, creativity admired and songs enjoyed.

Matariki isn’t new but over the last decade and a half celebrating Matariki in Glen innes has shone with a glow that is not dimming.

Each year a growing number of groups are mounting their own events from storytelling in day care centres and kohangareo, to tree planting in schools and community feasts in churches and marae.
“We live in a great place and this is our very own new year,” said Te Rangi Huata, Chairman of Public Dreams Trust, the arts group mounting Te Ara Rama Matariki Light Trail in Glen innes. “Matariki is a Māori celebration for all New Zealanders to enjoy. It’s a time for fun, feasting and festivity”

Te Ara Rama Matariki Light Trail, now in it’s fourth year, is an annual outdoor lighting festival combining light, music and creativity across seven themes. The light trail runs for nine nights in Maybury Reserve, two minutes walk from the Glen Innes shopping village and the train and bus transport hub. Dress warm in layered clothing and wear walking shoes. A cluster of nightly performances, workshops and art activities of all kinds are running next door to the light trail at Te Oro Music and Art Centre, Ruapotaka Marae and Glen Innes Libray. The Kulture & Kai Team from the Glen Innes Business Association is running an array of scrumptious food stalls every night. A spectacular fireworks display to music on Saturday night at 9pm is the finale to this free family event. Lastyear’s even attracted over 10,000 visitors.

6pm to 9pm Saturday 2 July to Saturday 9 July, Maybury Reserve, 108 Line Road, Glen Innes. Light Trail begins at Te Oro Music Centre

Press release by Te Rangi Huata, Chairman, Public Dreams Trust, Hastings
What: Matariki
Where: Glen Innes
When: 2 – 9 July 2016

ENDS

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