Wairoa Sparkles for Matariki

Saturday, 23 June 2012, 1:01 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

“Wairoa Sparkles for Matariki” 25TH – 29TH JUNE 2012

Wairoa College’s Sheree Cotter says Matariki is one of those unique events which has the power to bring people together, to inspire unity and spark creativity among the district’s various communities. And that’s what she’s hoping for when Wairoa hosts its 10th annual Matariki festival from Monday 25th to 29th June.

“Matariki is unique because it involves all our people, from Wairoa, Mahia, Mohaka, Nuhaka and Lake Waikaremoana, everyone comes in and it’s massive to see them all together in one place,” Ms Cotter said.

She is the Head of Music at Wairoa College and so is well known among Wairoa entertainers and singers, who will play a big part in this year’s Matariki. And many of the young artists who are to perform for Matariki are from the college’s music academy.

“I am also music tutor for (kapa haka group) Te Rerenga Kotuku which will be performing at Matariki along with K-Line and a host of locals who auditioned for New Zealand’s Got Talent in Napier” Ms Cotter said.

Sheree leaves Wairoa College at the end of the present school term to take up a new position for Te Awanuiarangi tertiary institution. “I’ve had a wonderful time at Wairoa College and even though I feel sad, at the same time I’m excited about the future. Leaving at this time during Matariki has great significance for me, looking back with fond memories and looking forward with new eyes”, Sheree said.

Wairoa’s celebrations will begin at dawn on Monday 25th June at Mad Matariki Mornings, a series of full body workouts for fitness warriors led by Ethan Brown and Sonya Drysdale at the Wairoa Community Gym. Sessions cost $2 and starts at 6.15am. and running every morning through until Friday 29th June.

This event heralds the start of Wairoa’s Matariki celebrations at the Wairoa Community Centre organised by two mothers, Sara Rangi and Michelle Tahuri.

“We have the biggest Matariki celebrations in New Zealand so we wanted to extend the activities over a week instead of trying to squeeze everything into one day,” said Sara Rangi.

“Last year was a great success and so we are building on this. We have planned something special for each age group to make the day memorable for those who come along,” said Sara.

Sara and Michelle both work for Sport Hawke’s Bay and will host festival activities at the Wairoa Community Centre.

On Monday morning youth from the region will take part in the inaugural Mud Jam at the skate bowl. “It’s about having fun and challenging yourself at the same time”, said Sara. “The mud will wash off but I know the fond memories will stay.”

The event is the brainchild of twelve intermediate aged students who completed a Maori leadership course at Rangiahua Marae. “They learnt leadership skills, event planning, marae kawa and Maori traditions”, said Sara. “The Mud Jam Project will put into action all they learnt on the course.”

“It’s just gone off”, said Sara. “There has been a huge response from kids wanting to compete and they are going to have a lot of fun”. Participants will walk, run and crawl through a series of mud obstacles between the waka ama launch site and the skate bowl. The event has been sponsored by YROA YNOT Youth Voice.

Also on Monday there is an elite game of Ki Orahi between Wairoa College Year 12 PE students and the Wairoa Kura Kaupapa senior class. “These teams are at the top of their game,” said organiser Michelle Tahuri. “It’s going to be a fast, furious and exciting clash.”
On Tuesday morning 26th June primary children will take part in a haka fitness programme run by Kahurangi Performing Arts graduates Tauru Johnson, Isaac Cotter and Raiha Tahuri, all from Wairoa. “They’ve just returned from touring Canada and the United States”, said Michelle. “Our students are in for a treat to learn from these young professionals”. The programme is booked out with registrations exceeding 400 for the day.

Intermediate age and high school students will attend classes in Maori weaponry and traditional musical instrument playing on Wednesday 27th June.

On Thursday 28th June Kohangareo and early childhood centre children will take part in their own stage challenge called Haka Meets Boogie. “Children will dress up in fashion both old and new, sing and dance”, said organiser Michelle Tahuri. “The day will finish with a disco dance”

On Friday the focus moves to the free community Matariki concert starting at 5pm with a karaoke contest. Participants can register beforehand at the Wairoa Community Centre.

Entertainment will include singing sensation Teia Drysdale, upcoming soloist Inia Spooner and a host of Wairoa singers who auditioned for New Zealand’s Got Talent.

Youngsters are encouraged to compete in the Beyonce “Move Your Body” dance contest in two categories under 16 and open. Prizes includes phone tops ups and gift cards. Anyone wanting to perform can contact Sheree at the college music department. The fireworks finale to music is at 8pm in Alexander Park.

K-Line band and friends will take to the stage at 8.30pm for an R18 concert Matariki After Dark in the Wairoa Community Centre. Tickets are $10 from the Wairoa Community Centre and the event is a fundraiser for the band’s new album. There’s a $10 hangi that will be on sale that night as well.

The Matariki Festival is funded by $16,000 in grants from Te Kiwai Auahi Kore,Te Puni Kokiri, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi and Endeavour Foundation Trust.

This will be the ninth year Ms Cotter has helped organize Matariki and it was always an event she looked forward to.

“The fireworks display was something the whole community loved, Ms Cotter said. “It’s not often Wairoa gets a fireworks display and its absolutely amazing because cars line the banks of the Wairoa river for miles just to see it, people come out especially for the fireworks.

“And it’s really a massive event, we don’t have any problems, people are just there for the kaupapa and there to support the community and the kids who are performing.”

“This is a special time for Wairoa to showcase it’s local talent, especially local music talent, it’s a whanau atmosphere where the whole community comes out to support Matariki, it’s awesome,” she said.

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