June 08, 2017
Manu aute to mark Matariki start
Auckland Council opens its Matariki celebrations this Saturday with a dawn karakia at the Tawharanui Regional Park, east of Matakana but people closer to the city can also take part in activities to mark the Maori new year.
Ngati Whatua o Orakei is hosting the council's Manu Aute Kite Day at Takaparawha Bastion point on Sunday with similar events at Puketapapa at Mt Roskill’s Winstone Park and Manurewa’s Randwick Park.
It starts with a powhiri at Orakei Marae at 9am and as well as kite flying there is a wide range of Matariki activities and Maori traditions on all day at the marae.
Ashburton based kite designer Peter Lynn, who holds the 2005 Guinness World Record for one of his special custom designs, will fly his 30 meter long Blue Whale kite above Takaparawha.
The Manurewa event will feature Ray and Rosemary McCully of McCully’s Kites in Rotorua, who have made kites featuring drawings of Maori legends by the late author and illustrator Peter Gossage.
Mayor Phil Goff says he wants to encourage kite lovers of all ages to fly a kite wherever they are in Auckland.
Kite flying is steeped in Maori tradition with kites flown for fun, for communication between heaven and earth and to forecast the future.
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