Matariki, the celebration of the Māori New Year, takes centre stage for the City Library these school holidays.

Ashhurst Library is the first star to shine as a Glow Disco Night kicks off the July winter holidays on Friday 6 July in two-hour, age-related sessions from 5pm.

Entry to an evening’s fun, with glow sticks, spot prizes and DJs DFresh and ReFresh is by gold coin donation.

On Saturday, children can reach for the sky with community group Roslyn REACH at Edwards Pit Park flying Matariki kites between 11am – 12pm.

More Matariki inspired events cluster in the second week of the holidays.

At the Central Library on Tuesday 17, there’s a four-hour gloves, scarves and custom t-shirt-making winter fashion event from 10am.

“Matariki traditionally was a time when people went indoors to make things because it was too cold to be outside, and we’ve tried to reflect that in our workshops,” City Library Programmes Team Leader Elise Goodge says.

On Wednesday 18, there’s a wakahuia, or treasure box-making workshop. On Thursday 19 harakeke weaving and paper craft will be fashioning Matariki stars.

“It was a tradition at this time of year to remember and acknowledge those who are missing from our lives, and we’d like people to contribute to our star curtain of remembrance,” Ms Goodge says

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On Friday 20 July, Matariki moves to Highbury’s Te Patikitiki for crafts during the day and a candlelight session with chocolate and marshmallows led by Shane Ruwhiu in the evening.

A good way to mark the end of the holidays, Lounge Sounds 2.0 runs from 6 – 9pm at Youth Space.

“Friday night’s Lounge Sounds is a showcase of local youth talent,” Ms Goodge says.

Matariki celebrations at the City Library end on Wednesday 25 July with an ingredients-provided Mystery Kai DIY in Youth Space from 4 – 5.30pm

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There are dozens of other events throughout the holidays from DIY crafts, a teddy bears’ picnic and robot-building, to muffin-making, movies, story-writing and storytelling.

Further details are on the library website: citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz.

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