Celebrate Matariki on the Waterfront This Month

Matariki on the Waterfront is back for 2015 for its fourth year at Waterfront Auckland this July 17th, 18th and 19th. Matariki Festival is a month-long celebration, and as the largest indigenous celebration in the country, the final weekend on Auckland's sparkling Waterfront is the perfect opportunity to come together in one of Auckland's favourite spaces to share, connect and be entertained at the coming of the new year.

There's a diverse, engaging array of activities and workshops on the cards at Matariki on the Waterfront. From an evening of sensory exploration on 17 July featuring a range of sound and light artists and running through a weekend of markets, performances, and workshops detailing New Zealand Māori practices and stories, the final weekend of Matariki celebrated at Auckland's Waterfront is the ideal culmination to a magnificent festival, celebrating the mid-Winter Seven Sisters constellation twinkling low in the north-east sky.

Art and Sound

Kicking off the weekend on Friday evening 17 July is an optical spectacular, with stunning projection mapping of Silo 6 with captivating moving image, animation and specially designed imagery to get you in the mood for festivities. Also occurring will be live ta moko (tattooing), toi whakairo (carving) and exhibition of Maori artwork in Silo 6. Magical light-based installations dotted around Silo Park will take your senses on a real journey. There will be a hearty offering of food and beverages on offer outside the Silos.

Exhibitions

Silo 6 will be home to a plethora of inspiring activities and exhibitions the weekend long, including art by Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei, as well as displays and performance of traditional flute and instruments.

Running throughout the weekend days in Silo 6 is a very special live exhibition - Nga Whaotapu o Tamaki Makarau (The Sacred Chisels of Tamaki Makaurau). Featuring carvers representing the five tribal regions of Tamaki Makarau, witness this art collaboration of mana whenua (the original Māori people of Auckland), coming together to make a series of artworks in a truly extraordinary experience.

Workshops

Taking place in the Mighty Matariki Markets are a variety of workshops inviting people into the history of Matariki and the ancient legends and protocol of Māori culture. The sharing of kaupapa (purpose), values, concepts, philosophies, wisdom, knowledge and skills through Matauranga (education) is an important part of Matariki. These dynamic workshops will be taking place on both Saturday and Sunday 18-19 July, between 12 and 5pm. Led by Nga Puawaitanga o Tāmaki collective, traditional activities are offered for all ages: weaving, art and kite-making. These workshops are absolutely free for all to attend and join in at any time, with no registration or otherwise necessary - all are welcome. This is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from those who know it best.

There will be an exhilarating, joyful range of whakangahau (performances) taking place all weekend long to enhance the celebrations. Trinity Roots take the stage, as do inspirational collective Pao Pao Pao, X-factor New Zealand 2015 winner Beau Monga, and passionate DJ collective Maori HiFi.

July 19 marks the end of our celebrations at Silo Park as Matariki is seen low in the north-east sky, and the new year begins. Together as a community we share knowledge, prepare and celebrate the commencement of a new life cycle, as the NZ Māori have done for generations.

Entry to all Matariki on the Waterfront events are free.

Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.

Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!

Matariki re-appears, Whānui starts its flight.

Being the sign of the [new] year!

www.yourwaterfront.co.nz
www.silopark.co.nz

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