Rotorua is preparing to host Aotearoa’s largest-ever Matariki drone show, with a record-breaking fleet of 550 drones set to light up the night sky in a spectacular celebration of te ao Māori, remembrance, and community.
The free event will take place from July 9 to July 11, weather permitting, as part of the Aronui Arts Festival, transforming Rotorua’s lakefront into a canvas of light, sound, and Māori storytelling. The display marks the largest drone fleet ever flown by Aronui and is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the city.
The annual event has rapidly become one of New Zealand’s most popular Matariki celebrations, blending cutting-edge aerial technology with mātauranga Māori. Te Arawa artists have worked closely with festival organisers to create a visual narrative that honours the significance of Matariki and reflects the cultural traditions associated with the Māori New Year.
This year’s theme, Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone, focuses on bringing people together across cultures, communities, and backgrounds. The performance will tell the story of Matariki while also remembering those who have passed since the last rising of the star cluster, acknowledging their place among the stars and within the memories of loved ones.
The soundtrack has been created by award-winning music producer Jimmy Colbert of Te Arawa and Ngāpuhi descent, working alongside local language experts to weave together the story of Matariki and its nine stars, each connected to different parts of the natural environment.
Last year’s drone show attracted more than 36,000 people to Rotorua’s lakefront across two nights, generating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the city and drawing visitors from around the country during the Matariki long weekend. Organisers expect strong attendance again this year as the event continues to grow in scale and popularity.
The festival has partnered with New Zealand’s largest locally based drone show operator, whose fleet has delivered multiple successful productions around the country. Organisers say the collaboration will help bring an even more ambitious visual experience to the shores of Lake Rotorua.
For those unable to secure a prime viewing spot, the full performance will be broadcast live each night on Te Arawa FM from 8pm, allowing audiences around the lake to follow the story as the drones create formations overhead.
The event is supported by One Foundation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Regional Events Fund, Rotorua Trust, Grassroots Trust, and NZCT.
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