Movies at the Marae for Matariki Festival 10

Joint Media Release: For Immediate Release

Unitec Institute of Technology | Auckland City Council | Manukau City Council | North Shore City Council | Waitakere City Council

Movies at the Marae for Matariki Festival 10

Taika Waititi’s hit film Boy will be screened free at five Auckland marae from this week as part of the Auckland region-wide Matariki Festival 10.

Unitec Movies at the Marae is new for the 2010 festival and provides the opportunity for whanau and friends to see Boy and a short film free. The first screening takes place at Unitec’s marae Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae tonight (Thursday 24 June) at 7.15pm, followed by events at marae on Waiheke Island, Panmure, West Harbour and Manurewa.

Unitec Institute of Technology spokesperson Scotty Morrison says that for many years, Unitec has been been a strong supporter of Matariki festivities. “We understand Matariki’s significance to the Maori community, and we’re encouraging our community to get behind the upcoming Matariki Festival.

“Movies at the Marae is a fun event for the whole whanau and we’re looking forward to enjoying Taika Waititi’s film and the atmosphere of sharing this event with friends.”

Unitec Movies at the Marae is one of more than 100 events taking place in the Auckland region for Matariki Festival 10 which runs until 14 July 2010.

Auckland, Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere city councils have worked collectively to present Matariki Festival 10 through the Maori arts development kaupapa Toi Whenua.

Heralded by the rising of the star constellation known as Matariki, the Maori New Year has always been an important time in the Maori calendar for connecting with and giving thanks to the land, sea and sky.

Traditionally a time for the community to come together to farewell those departed and acknowledge the year gone by, it was also a time to turn to the future, welcoming the new generation to the world and planning for the year ahead. 

Matariki Festival 10 gives Aucklanders an opportunity to participate and experience a living cultural tradition with tangata whenua, celebrating our unique Maori heritage, nature, creativity and expression.

Unitec Movies at the Marae takes place at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, Unitec Institute of Technology, Mt Albert on Thursday 24 June at 7.15pm; Piritahi Marae, Waiheke Island, Auckland on

Saturday 3 July at 7pm; at Tira Hou Marae in Panmure on Monday 5 July at 7pm; Te Piringatahi o te Maungaarongo Marae, West Harbour on Thursday 8 July at 7pm and at Manurewa Marae on Saturday 10 July at 7pm.

The full programme of events and ticketing information is available at www.matarikifestival.org.nz

Matariki Festival is proudly sponsored by New Zealand Post, Unitec Institute of Technology, FLAVA and The Radio Network, Māori Television with the support of Creative New Zealand, THE EDGE and Tourism Auckland.

ENDS

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