Sign In / Register
Matakana Village is holding its second annual Matariki Market on June 28 – four hours of fun, kai, crafts, entertainment and community spirit celebrating the Māori new year.
The event, designed to embrace and honour Aotearoa’s unique cultural heritage, is a collaboration of Matakana Village & Farmers’ Market, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and Unity Collection, a Māori contemporary art, design and fashion gallery in the village.
Students from Mahurangi College, Matakana School and Snells Beach School will perform kapa haka, using the opposite bank of the Matakana River as a natural stage, with their performances viewed from the market.
The programme includes live performances by Māori musician and bass player Richard Murray, hands-on weaving workshops with weavers Anastasia from Naturaura and Cherie (Ngāti Wai / Ngāti Manuhiri) from Unity Collection, Matariki-inspired face painting for little ones, Māori artists’ crafts on sale, and traditional food offerings such as whitebait and pāua fritters, kumara soup and mussel fritters.
Ngāti Manuhiri kaumātua Ringi Brown will deliver an opening address (tīmatanga) and guest speakers will share insights on Matariki’s cultural significance.
Earlier in the day, Matakana Cinema will screen Whetū Mārama – Bright Star, the 2021 story of traditional navigator and waka builder Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi (Hek Busby). Although entry is free, booking of tickets is essential.
Village shops will join the celebrations too, with Matakana Bookshop highlighting Māori authors, Tea & Tonic offering a kawakawa tea station and in-store poetry reading, and Unity Collection featuring an exhibition of works by surfboard sculptor Aaron Kereopa (Ngāti Tahinga / Ngāti Hine / Ngāti Porou).
Edible treats on sale will include freshly-baked rēwena (sourdough Māori bread) from Ringawera Baker, and Matariki Bon Bons from Honest Chocolat.
The market will run from 11am to 3pm, and all koha raised on the day will be donated to the Mahurangi College kapa haka group, to support its fundraising for a school trip to learn about Māori history and their whakapapa for their final exams.
