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Download AudioAuckland kicks off Matariki celebrations this evening with a Vector light display on the Harbour Bridge which will run every half hour for the 10 nights of the festival.
Council spokesperson Ataahua Papa says the theme is ahi kaa and the resilience of Ngati Whatua Orakei, the iwi manaaki for this year’s festival.
The centre of the city will also be lit up with various light installations by Maori artists, including Graham Tipene’s giant waharoa Te Wehenga at the intersection of Queen St and Shortland St where the Waihorotiu met the Waitemata.
“If you’re standing on the water side looking up (Queen St) you see the realm of Tane Mahuta because that’s where you’re going into and if you’re standing on the hill side looking down towards the Waitemata you see the realm of Tangaroa so it’s pretty cool and it’s pretty awesome,” she says.
The official Matariki celebration starts with an Umu Kohukohu Whetū ceremony at Bastion Point-Takaparawhau on Friday, which is a public holiday.
An interactive locator map has been added to the Our Auckland council website showing where and when Matariki-related events are happening.
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