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June 24, 2022
Thousands celebrate Matariki at West Auckland street party
Media Release
Posted On June 24, 2022
THOUSANDS CELEBRATE MATARIKI AT WEST AUCKLAND STREET PARTY.
On Thursday, June 23, 2022 a few thousand people wrapped up against the cold to enjoy live entertainment and a sea of food trucks and craft stalls as Catherine Street in Henderson was turned into a street party to celebrate Matariki.
The event kicked off at 4PM with karakia before DJ Hemi Ruka, and the Anuanua Cook Island Dance Troupe entertained the growing crowd, a strong start before the main performances at 5:00 PM.
Rutherford College got everyone on their feet with their powerful kapa haka show, setting the scene perfectly for the impressive line up that followed; Maaka, Ria Hall, Tatau Manaia, Te Roopu Manutaki, Rei, Jackson Owens, Valkyrie and KIKO.
Ria Hall was thrilled she made the special trip north.
“Matariki is a time to come together. To celebrate our unique identity as a nation through a te ao Māori lens. It’s also an opportunity to look back in reflection, and plan for a prosperous year ahead. Nau mai Te Mātahi o te Tau! ”
Local kai and craft vendors felt privileged to be part of the festivities serving queues of people who enjoyed the party atmosphere with room to dance as well as plenty of seating to relax on. The night ended on a bang with all eyes on the stunning fireworks display.
Te Whānau o Waipareira CEO, John Tamihere, was humbled at the huge numbers who arrived to support the local businesses and performers.
“We were expecting a crowd but nothing like this. I want to mihi the amazing entertainers who made this such a memorable event with their performances, all the whānau who came out on a very cold night and the dozens of people behind the scenes who created this incredible street party. Matariki is a time to contemplate the past year while also preparing for the new year and I feel like we did that as a community, as a whānau tonight”.
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