Matariki is just around the corner, and to celebrate the New Year, the Kāpiti Coast District Council in partnership with Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti is hosting an all-day family-centred ART Market at Nga Purapura in Ōtaki this Sunday 17 June, 10am – 3pm.

Mayor K Gurunathan says that the day’s focus is cultural sharing, education, and fun.

“We’re happy to be able to share the launch of the Māori New Year with our community through celebrating local art, craft, dance, food, and live music – all at one market, under one roof. Children can learn about what Matariki means through the interactive constellation tent Starlab and through listening to the stories told by iwi who’ll be speaking at Nga Purapura. Art and the smell of locally-made food from the stalls will dazzle all. There’ll be something for all tastes at our Matariki ART Market.”

Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti will be launching and blessing its annual Māori maramataka (calendar) at the event, and copies will be on sale for $10. The maramataka covers the period 1 July to 30 June and includes information for fishing and planting by the moon cycles.

For those looking to learn more about our community, a Waahi Tapu bus tour will offer a hands-on tour of many spots of cultural and historical relevance to one of our local iwi, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki.

Entry to the ART Market is free, however Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti will collect non-perishable food items as a donation at the door. All food collected will go to local organisations along the Kāpiti Coast, supporting families in need.

For more information on this Matariki event and others happening in our District this year, go to https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Our-District/Tangata-Whenua/Matariki

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