June 13, 2024
Beach bonfire plan for Matariki
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What began as a way to clean up excess driftwood after last year’s cyclone Gabrielle is now being encouraged as an Aotearoa-wide Matariki activity.
The Matariki Mahuika project invites coastal communities to celebrate the Māori New Year with pre-dawn beach bonfires… weather and fire approvals permitting.
Atareta Smith, who helped organise 2023 events in the Mahia-Wairoa districts, hopes it becomes a Matariki tradition.
“Even if you just go down and have a cup of tea on the beach, and just have a kai and take your family on that day. Share the moment and just all come together. If it ever gets out that the whole of Aotearoa came together in this one thought – wouldn’t it be brilliant?” she says.
The nationwide event will take place on Saturday June 29 at 5pm.