Preparations have begun for Matariki celebrations around the country, with Auckland today announcing a schedule of more than 80 events across the region.
Matariki star cluster from southern hemisphere Photo: NASA
Festivities begin on 21 June, when the seven star constellation is first seen in the sky, and will end on 16 July.
Auckland Council's Parks Arts Community and Events Committee chair Alf Filipaina said it would be an uplifting celebration of Te Ao Māori, which has been designed in collaboration with Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei.
Filipaina said the iwi had an "active role" in organising this year's festivities.
Iwi chair Marama Royal said "with the new public holiday this year we felt it was important to have the festival grounded in our tikanga and taonga tuku iho"
Filipaina said highlights would include Matariki Lights at the Stardome, an array of Māori musicians performing, as well as the many kai offerings region-wide.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei chair Marama Royal says it's important that Matariki celebrations are grounded in tikanga and taonga tuku iho Photo:
The Matariki Festival will be launched with an Umu Kohukohu Whetū, or food offering to the sky, on 21June at Takaparawhau.
Em-Haley Walker, known widely as Theia, is performing her reo Māori project TE KAAHU for the first time on 24 June - the day of the first Matariki public holiday.
TE KAAHU is Walker's reo rangatira project inspired by her tūpuna wāhine. It fuses together traditional Māori songwriting styles and and doo wop / soul from the '50s and '60s, which she describes as "the types of music my nannies were passionate about."
Walker said being able to present the show on Matariki perfectly aligned with the themes of the album.
Em-Haley Walker, known widely as Theia, is performing her reo Māori project TE KAAHU for the first time on the day of the first Matariki public holiday. Photo: supplied
Celebrations are also underway in Wellington, outside of the official festivities, with the first locally-led vogue ball being held on 25 June, called The Fictional Ball.
Co-founder Carym Wharerau said the significance of the ball being on Matariki spoke to the rise of the Ballroom community in Wellington.
"There is a huge intersection between Matariki and the first locally-led ball," Wharerau said.
They say hosting the ball over Matariki gives the collective purpose as it elevates them, both as individuals, and as a collective.
Wellington is also set to have a fireworks display on 24 June.