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The late Dr Hirini Melbourne composed the works which will be performed by seven-piece band He Huinga Whetu in Te Hana this month.
More than 100 events are scheduled to take place across the Auckland region for this year’s Matariki Festival, including two shows in Te Hana.For the first time, Auckland Council is co-hosting the month long festival in a partnership with the 19 mana whenua iwi of Tamaki Makaurau.
Visitors to the Te Ao Marama marae in Te Hana on Wednesday June 29 will get to experience a recital of works from the late Maori composer, Dr Hirini Melbourne, performed by seven-piece band He Huinga Whetu.
The marae will also play host to Regan Taylor’s one-man adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello on Tuesday July 12. Dubbed SolOthello, it’s a mix of original prose, modern English and te reo Maori.
Other events across Auckland include a carnival on the night of Friday July 15 at Auckland’s Federal Street. It is designed to be a celebration of Maori art, culture, fashion and food, wrapped up in a carnival street party atmosphere.
Smales Farm on Auckland’s North Shore is putting on a light display with seven separate installations along Taharoto Road in Takapuna for three nights from July 8.
Officially the festival starts with a dawn Karakia on Waiheke Island, and closes with waterfront markets, music, art and food at Silo Park in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter on July 17.
The Matariki festival celebrates the rise of the Matariki constellation, also known as the Pleiades star cluster, or the Seven Sisters. Te Tau Hou, (Maori New Year) is usually marked on the next new moon. Traditionally the brighter the Matariki stars, the more plentiful the upcoming harvest would be, due to better weather. It is also a time for reflection, forgiveness, and looking ahead to the future.
For more information and a full events programme visit matarikifestival.org.nz
