June 29, 2018
Matariki fires warm the heart
Wellington companies and residents are being encourages to share the ahi as part of Matariki celebrations on the city’s waterfront.
Tonight’s Ahi Kā event start at 6pm with an opening procession called Ngā Wai Pīata or Streams of Light featuring children from seven regional schools lighting a fire on the water that will until the end of the event at 10pm.
There will be activities including Māori performers and storytellers.
Mayor Justin Lester and Deputy Mayor Jill Day have found another way to share the warmth, donating ahi ka packages to Te Whare Rokiroki Māori Women’s Refuge.
Councillor Simon Marsh says it’s an example they hope others will pick up, with other service organisations like Wellington City Mission also needing support.
"There are so many of those organisations where if you have a favourite one you know you can help, why not get your business together and say hey, let's see if we can get together a food parcel, put some cash in there as well because these organisations always need a little bit of the folding stuff to help pay for electricity and that sort of things, but this is where the hashtag #sharetheahi comes in," Mr Marsh says.
Wellington's Matariki calendar ends on July 7 with a Sky Show.
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