Maramataka

The maramataka is the Māori lunar calendar, which marks the phases of the moon and guides us with information about fishing, gardening, and other activities suited to the day. On this page, you can find fun and interesting Māori events around the Greater Wellington Region and where they fall on the lunar calendar. 

This year, Matariki begins on the 15th of June, and there are many events around the Wellington Region to celebrate the occasion - find one that suits you! Check out even more Matariki events hosted by the Kāpiti Coast District Council, Hutt City Council, and Wellington City Council.

Pipiri 2018

Shellfish Puzzles and Colouring Pages

When	Rāmere 8 June 2018, 3-5pm
Where	Pop-Up Library - Upper Hutt City Libraries, 84-90 Main Street, Upper Hutt
Cost	Free	Tangaroa-ā-kiokio, the 26th day of the lunar cycle

Manaaki whenua. Manaaki tangata. Haere whakamua. Care for the land. Care for the people. Go forward.

Bring the family and join us to celebrate Matariki at the Library!

It's a good day for collecting shellfish today, according to the Māori lunar calendar. Bring your tamariki to get creative with our shell puzzles and colouring-in activities.

This activity is suitable for children aged 5-12.

Seed Swap Afternoon

When	Rāhoroi 9 June 2018, 2-3pm
Where	Pop-Up Library - Upper Hutt City Libraries, 84-90 Main Street, Upper Hutt
Cost	Free	Ōtāne, the 27th day of the lunar cycle

Manaaki whenua. Manaaki tangata. Haere whakamua. Care for the land. Care for the people. Go forward.

Come along to our Seed Swap, hosted in celebration of Matariki. Exchange seeds and seedlings from your garden and share tips and tricks on growing a bountiful garden with other gardening enthusiasts.

Splash! Fish-Themed Colouring Adventure

When	Rāhina 11 June 2018, 3-5pm
Where	Pop-Up Library - Upper Hutt City Libraries, 84-90 Main Street, Upper Hutt
Cost	Free	Mauri, the 29th day of the lunar cycle

Manaaki whenua. Manaaki tangata. Haere whakamua. Care for the land. Care for the people. Go forward.

Bring the family and join us to celebrate Matariki at the Library!

"Not a good day for fishing" says the Māori lunar calendar today - why not come to the Library instead? Get comfortable and dream up your fishing adventure with our crafty colouring-in pages.

The activity is suitable for children aged 5-12.

ReCut 5

When	Rāmere 15 June 2018, 5.35pm
Where	Civic Square
Cost	Free	Hoata, the third day of the lunar cycle

ReCut 5 will open the Matariki celebrations – a creative and uniquely Wellington flavoured public event. Bring friends and family along to Civic Square for the event start at 5.35pm sharp. This will be followed by the Hika Ahi event at Te Papa. Learn more about ReCut here.

Postponement date: Saturday 16 June, 5.35pm

Matariki Ritual – Matariki Hika Ahi

When	Rāmere 15 June 2018, 7pm-8.30pm
Where	Te Papa's Red Gates
Cost	Free	Hoata, the third day of the lunar cycle

Nau mai, haere mai – you are warmly invited to a ritual for the whole whanau to mark the arrival of Matariki, the Māori New Year.

The ritual will also mark the beginning of the Matariki Rising Festival at Te Papa, 15-24 June 2018.

During the evening, we:

• Celebrate the people (tangata) and the earth, sea, and sky (whenua)
• Mark the beginning of Matariki
• Hear stories of renewal

Matariki, Work of the Gods

When	Rāmere 15 June, 7pm-9pm
Where	Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
Cost	Adult: $20 Senior (65+): $15 School student: $5	Hoata, the third day of the lunar cycle

The dawn rising of the star cluster Matariki is the herald of the Maori New Year. Also known at the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, Subaru and the Krittika, they are perhaps, the most celebrated of all stars. They are the oldest mentioned in literature and played a significant role in cultures around the world both past and present. In this presentation by Kay Leather and Richard Hall we explore this celestial wonder and their ancient meanings and significance. Afterwards, weather permitting, we will observe other wonders of the night sky through one of our large telescopes. Booking recommended.

Kites and Kids

When	Rātapu 17 June 2018, 10am-11.30am
Where	The Dowse Art Museum, 45 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt
Cost	General Admission: $5	Ōkoro, the fifth day of the lunar cycle

Celebrate Matariki and make your very own manu aute to fly high in The Dowse square.

T 04 570 6500
E enquiries@dowse.org.nz

Matariki 2018: Planting Seedlings

When	Rātapu 17 June 2018, 1.30pm-2.30pm
Where	Pop-Up Library - Upper Hutt City Libraries, 84-90 Main Street, Upper Hutt
Cost	Free	Ōkoro, the fifth day of the lunar cycle

Manaaki whenua. Manaaki tangata. Haere whakamua. Care for the land. Care for the people. Go forward.

Bring the family and join us to celebrate Matariki at the Library!

Join us in getting stuck in the muck and learn how to grow a little seedling into a strong plant.

Te Korekore – The Story of Tinirau and Kae

When	Rāhina 21 June, 6pm Rāhina 21 June, 8pm Rāpare 24 June, 2pm
Where	Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay Pātaka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua
Cost	Koha entry	Tamatea-whakapau, the ninth day of the lunar cycle

Chamber Music New Zealand, Wellington Museum, Pātaka Art + Museum (Porirua), Puke Ariki (New Plymouth) and Te Manawa (Palmerston North) are joining forces  to present a Matariki inspired tour that showcases elements of chamber music, video, Māori music and storytelling in unique settings outside the concert hall.

Te Korekore is a one-hour, multi-genre performance work that weaves a narrative around the traditional story of Tinirau and Kae with video art, story-telling, contemporary NZ chamber music, jazz-based composition and ngā taonga puoro. The story of Tinirau and Kae is told in many parts of Aotearoa and is associated with Te Whare Tapere, the place where traditional Māori entertainment would occur, especially during the Matariki season.

This is a family-friendly performance and we welcome your whānau to share this concert with us.

Matariki Harbour Challenge

When	Rāhoroi 23 June 8am-5pm
Where	Odlins Plaza, 15 Jervois Quay
Cost	Free	Huna, the 11th day of the lunar cycle

A waka ama event hosted by Hikoikoi Waka Ama Club. This year's event will showcase Māori culture and traditional knowledge, from voyaging to kai. This event will be on the water in Wellington's harbour and on the waterfront at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke. Find out more on Hikoikoi Waka Ama Club's website and Facebook.

Kaumātua Kapa Haka 2018

When	Rāhoroi 23 June-Rātapu 24 June 2018, 10am-4pm
Where	Te Papa
Cost	Free	Huna, the 11th day of the lunar cycle

Enjoy a celebration of haka and waiata, presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand. This event will be live-streamed on YouTube and available to watch on the Te Papa website. Programme details to be announced soon.

Please note you are free to come and go as you wish. Watch a couple of performances to get a taster, or stay the whole two days!

Matariki Market – Hosted by Kapiti Indoor Market

When	Rātapu 24 June, 10am-3pm
Where	Kapiti College, Victor Road, Raumati
Cost	Free	Māwharu, the 12th day of the lunar cycle

Come in out of the cold and experience the bliss that is indoor market shopping!

We are showcasing only the best products from a select range of local businesses, artisans and crafters.

This time round our charity partner will be Little Sprouts. There will be food and drink and hopefully some entertainment too!

Ahi Kā

When	Rāmere 29 June, 6pm-10pm
Where	Odlin's Plaza and Whairepo Lagoon
Cost	Free	Rākaumatohi, the 17th day of the lunar cycle

Come down to Odlin's Plaza and the Whairepo Lagoon on Wellington's waterfront to experience Wellington City's new event, Ahi Kā. Celebrate and learn about the Māori New Year with fire, food, friends and whānau. See some of the nation's finest Māori performers and storytellers, and experience a beautiful light parade featuring creative talent from local schools.

Hangi, toasted marshmallows, fire on the water, art installations and a midwinter bonfire – there's something for everyone at this family-friendly event. 

Postponement date: Saturday 30 June, 6pm–10pm

OneOne

When	Rāmere 29 June-Rāhoroi 30 June, 7-10pm
Where	East end of Te Papa promenade
Cost	Free	Rākaumatohi, the 17th day of the lunar cycle

Immerse yourself in an award-winning AV/live dance installation by internationally recognised NZ arts laureate Daniel Belton and Good Arts Company. A spell binding experience to match the magic of Matariki. The performance will run over two nights at the eastern end of the Te Papa Promenade.

Hōngongoi 2018

Wellington Sky Show

When	Rāhoroi 7 July, 6.30pm
Where	Wellington Waterfront
Cost	Free	Tangaroa-whakapau, the 25th day of the lunar cycle

Rounding out our Matariki celebrations will be the Wellington Sky Show at the Wellington waterfront. This landmark event sees the Wellington harbour light up with a spectacular fireworks display.

Postponement date: Sunday 8 July, 6.30pm

Hereturikōkā 2018

Poupou Karanga

When	Rāhoroi 25 August, 9.00am-9.00pm Rātapu 26 August, 9.00am-4.00pm
Where	Raukawa marae, Ōtaki
Cost	Free (dependent on numbers)	Atua whakahaehae, the 14th day of the lunar cycle

Using the rich heritage of te iwi Māori you will call upon the knowledge of ngā tūpuna and examine the values and principles of pūrākau (Māori legend stories) learning their relevance to karanga.

This is the first of four two-day noho where you will examine legends associated to atua wahine, analyse stories to find their values, morals and lessons and gain the necessary skills to become a competent kaikaranga.

This tohu will give you the confidence to be able to stand as a kaikaranga on your marae, kura or workplace as you draw on the wealth of knowledge from expert kaikaranga and develop your own practical skills.

For more information on the course download the course flyer, and send any enquiries to tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz

Whiringa-ā-nuku 2018

Poupou Karanga

When	Rāhoroi 6 October, 9.00am-9.00pm Rātapu 7 October, 9.00am-4.00pm
Where	Raukawa marae, Ōtaki
Cost	Free (dependent on numbers)	Tangaroa-ā-kiokio, the 26th day of the lunar cycle

Using the rich heritage of te iwi Māori you will call upon the knowledge of ngā tūpuna and examine the values and principles of pūrākau (Māori legend stories) learning their relevance to karanga.

This is the first of four two-day noho where you will examine legends associated to atua wahine, analyse stories to find their values, morals and lessons and gain the necessary skills to become a competent kaikaranga.

This tohu will give you the confidence to be able to stand as a kaikaranga on your marae, kura or workplace as you draw on the wealth of knowledge from expert kaikaranga and develop your own practical skills.

For more information on the course download the course flyer, and send any enquiries to tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz

Poupou Karanga

When	Rāhoroi 27 October, 9.00am-9.00pm Rātapu 28 October, 9.00am-4.00pm
Where	Raukawa marae, Ōtaki
Cost	Free (dependent on numbers)	Rākaumatohi, the 17th day of the lunar cycle

Using the rich heritage of te iwi Māori you will call upon the knowledge of ngā tūpuna and examine the values and principles of pūrākau (Māori legend stories) learning their relevance to karanga.

This is the first of four two-day noho where you will examine legends associated to atua wahine, analyse stories to find their values, morals and lessons and gain the necessary skills to become a competent kaikaranga.

This tohu will give you the confidence to be able to stand as a kaikaranga on your marae, kura or workplace as you draw on the wealth of knowledge from expert kaikaranga and develop your own practical skills.

For more information on the course download the course flyer, and send any enquiries to tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz

Whiringa-ā-rangi 2018

Poupou Karanga

When	Rāhoroi 10 November, 9.00am-9.00pm Rātapu 11 November, 9.00am-4.00pm
Where	Raukawa marae, Ōtaki
Cost	Free (dependent on numbers)	Whiro, the 1st day of the lunar cycle

Using the rich heritage of te iwi Māori you will call upon the knowledge of ngā tūpuna and examine the values and principles of pūrākau (Māori legend stories) learning their relevance to karanga.

This is the first of four two-day noho where you will examine legends associated to atua wahine, analyse stories to find their values, morals and lessons and gain the necessary skills to become a competent kaikaranga.

This tohu will give you the confidence to be able to stand as a kaikaranga on your marae, kura or workplace as you draw on the wealth of knowledge from expert kaikaranga and develop your own practical skills.

For more information on the course download the course flyer, and send any enquiries to tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz

Hakihea 2018

Poupou Karanga Te Rā Whakapūmau

When	Rāhoroi 8 December
Where	Raukawa marae, Ōtaki
Cost	Free (dependent on numbers)	Mauri, the 29th day of the lunar cycle

It's graduation day at Te Wānanga o Raukawa for students of the Poupou Karanga course!

The learning of karanga and all its aspects does not end and at the completion of this course, instead it opens doors to the body of knowledge known as mātauranga Māori. Te Wānanga o Raukawa offers higher learning in Mātauranga Māori, Te Reo Māori and other courses.

We welcome you to your education journey with Te Wānanga o Raukawa and encourage you to pursue further learning.

For more information on the course download the course flyer, and send any enquiries to tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz