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Celebrate Matariki at Auckland Museum

Matariki atua ka eke mai i te rangi e roa, e.
Whangaia iho ki te mata o te tau roa e.

To Matariki the stars that herald the return of light, bring new life, new growth. Each year close to the start of June the seven stars known as Matariki or the Pleiades rise above the horizon. The first new moon after that sighting is traditionally the start of the Maori New Year. It is a time of celebration for the harvest safely stowed but also a reminder that the start of the new season needs to be considered and planned. Other cultures including many of the ancient world, from Greece to India have also revered this star group sometimes called the Seven Sisters. The stars represented in the projected floor image are some of the brightest in the Matariki (Pleiades) constellation.

Every Saturday in June
10am - 5pm

Nau Mai Haere Mai Ra

Please join us to celebrate Matariki, focusing on the theme Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest. Every Saturday there is a day long programme of activities and events designed with the whole family in mind; craft activities, slide shows, film, music, talks and tours:

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE WHANAU
	Ruia Aperahama Musical Performance Saturday 7 June, 2pm Maori Court No charge A fun afternoon of entertaining music to celebrate Matariki with traditional chants, catchy choruses and melodies. Hareruia 'RUIA' Aperahama is a Maori composer whose brand of music is a contemporary world genre, performed in both Maori and English. Ruia is a multi-award winner, and penned the top five hit 'What's the Time Mr Wolf' highlighted in the film Once Were Warriors. Ruia has performed at WOMAD, two previous Olympic Festivals and in Europe. 2007 saw Ruia become a semi-finalist in the World Music category in the International Songwriting Competition. Film Screening: The Weaving of People Saturday 28 June, 2pm Auditorium No charge Running time: 1 hour 10 minutes The Weaving of People is a series of four film footages that captured images of life around New Zealand back in the early 1920s. It showed scenes of Maori life on the Whanganui River in 1921 and East coast in 1923. The film also highlights carving, weaving and decoration from other regions of the land. In association with the NZ Film Archive
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME
	Toi Harakeke (Flax Craft) and Face Painting Saturdays 7, 14, 21, & 28 June 10am – 4pm Weird & Wonderful No charge Join in with fun harakeke craft to make a wearable Matariki crown and have your face painted with Maori symbols. Nga Pakiwaitara mo Matariki (Storytelling) Saturdays 7 & 28 June 12pm – 12.30pm, 1pm – 1.30pm Weird & Wonderful No charge Join museum staff for a session of Matariki storytelling. Stories Celebrating Matariki in the Wider Pacific Saturday 14, June 2pm – 3pm & 28 June 3pm – 4pm Pacific Pathways Gallery No charge Matariki is celebrated in the Pacific in many ways. Join Pacific Educator Leilani Salesa and Ma’ara Maeva to hear some of the stories of how Tagata o le Moana, people of the Pacific Ocean, celebrate Matariki. Poetry, song, ukulele demonstration, dance and puppetry will engage all the senses and help transport the imagination to the vibrant, dynamic and tropical nations of the Pacific.
CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
	Raranga (Weaving) Saturdays 7, 14, 21, 28 June 11am – 1pm Te Kakano Information Centre No charge The art of flax weaving is full of symbolism and hidden meanings, it is embodied with the spiritual values and beliefs of the Maori people. Come along and see expert weavers as they demonstrate the art of raranga and share their knowledge. Toi Whakairo (Carving) Saturdays 14, 21 June, 2pm – 4pm Te Kakano Information Centre No charge Auckland Museum provides an opportunity to enjoy a very special experience meeting master carver Rangi Wills as he demonstrates the exquisite carving skills and knowledge of Whakairo. Rangi Wills is one of the top ten Aotearoa carvers, is a Toi Iho award winner, and has been carving since 16 years old. He will share with you his knowledge and korero of Whakairo with respect to Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest.
TALKS AND TOURS
	Te Wao Nui a Tane (A Talk on The Realm of Tane) Saturdays 7 & 28 June, 1pm – 2pm Te Ao Turoa Gallery No charge In Maori mythology, Tane (also Tane Mahuta) is god of the forest and of birds. Join Kipa Rangiheuea in Te Ao Turoa where you will learn Maori customs and protocols relating to the world of Tane. Te Matauranga o Nga Whetu Me Whakatere Moana (Astronomy and Ocean Navigation) With Stanley Conrad Saturday 7 June, 3pm – 4pm Apec Room No charge Join Stanley Conrad, captain on the waka hourua Te Aurere, to learn how he and his crew navigated using traditional methods such as the sun, the night sky and ocean currents during their re-enactment journeys from New Zealand to Rarotonga. Matariki: Nga matauranga tawhito me nga mahinga takiwa (Matariki: traditional knowledge and contemporary practice) With Stephen Bradshaw Saturday 28 June, 4pm – 5pm Te Kakano No charge Nau mau haere mai Stephen Bradshaw (Ngati Maru ki Hauraki, Choreographer, Toi Maori Aotearoa management team and chair of Te Ope o Rehua (Maori contemporary performance), Kaiwhakahaere / Manager for Toi o Manukau & Manukau City Council). Stephen Bradshaw will cover the story of the development of the Matariki festival from a single city event to a regional activity that many contribute towards; from local government to Maori organizations, cultural workers and artists. Matariki has been a way to unify Maori by presenting the traditions that have inspired a realm of creative initiatives, projects that support Maori well-being (Hauora) and provide connections to our local Maori history and sense of place. Matariki is a significant element of the Tamaki story that we are experiencing now after many years of Matariki not being recognized. Gather inside Hotunui (meeting house) in the Maori Court and then move to Te Kakano.