Storytelling around the fire is a growing part of the event. Photo / Noel O'Riley
Storytelling around the fire is a growing part of the event. Photo / Noel O'Riley
From bonfires and floating lanterns to kai markets and karaoke, Matariki celebrations brought thousands together across Hawke’s Bay over the long weekend.
A row of fires as far as the eye could see lit the Hawke’s Bay coast on Saturday for Matariki Mahuika, a tradition that began in 2023after Cyclone Gabrielle.
More than 5000 people took part in celebrations near the National Aquarium on Marine Parade and thousands more thronged on the beaches from Te Awanga to Mahia.
Co-organiser Neill Gordon sestimated about 15,000 people celebrated along more than 200km of coastline.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi events manager Te Rangi Huata said the Waka Maimai Aroha event, where people wrote messages for those who have passed and for the future, was incredibly popular.
A fire on Marine Parade as part of the Matariki beach fires across Hawke's Bay. Photo / Noel O'Riley
On Saturday, poetry and stories were shared over loudspeakers near the aquarium as well as by whānau around beach fires.
Fire artists Hawke’s Bay Fire and Flow entertained with poi and fire staff displays.
The busiest period on Marine Parade was between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, with multitudes of whānau with young children cosying up to small beach fires and enjoying a winter’s night.
Gordon said part of the attraction of the free community event was that it was a DIY event.
“Every year, more people are wanting to celebrate Matariki but people also enjoy doing their own thing too. People love Matariki Mahuika to bits and that atmosphere is palpable on the beaches with people sharing kai, helping each other light their fires and welcoming strangers in.
“Saturday was an absolute cracker of a night. The weather was perfect with a light offshore breeze.
“Standing on the Parade and looking at the twinkling fires dotted north and south as far as Te Awanga was magical. It was an incredibly joyous spectacle.”
Gordon said concerns about the impact on air quality continued to be unfounded.
On Sunday morning, 20 volunteers attended a beach clean-up led by Mana Ahuriri and Sustainable Hawke’s Bay.
Gordon said Matariki Mahuika, named for the Goddess of Fire, would always be held on the Saturday of the long Matariki weekend, which is Saturday July 11 next year.
On Friday, Hastings Racecourse hosted for the first time Kai Hau Kai Matariki, a lively evening of kai, culture and connection, courtesy of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc.
Tracy Andersen, from Hawke’s Bay Racing, said the event was “extremely successful”.
“It was a magic atmosphere attended by a ... large crowd of families,” Andersen said.
Hastings Racecourse hosted Kai Hau Kai Matariki for the first time, bringing more than 10,000 attendees on course.
A large contingent of security and police helped assist with more than 10,000 attendees on course.
Inside the racecourse’s indoor market, visitors browsed Māori arts, healing stalls and live music and ate hāngī.
The event also brought joy to the community through karaoke and “Matariki Stars in Your Eyes” — a dress-up singing competition — and featured a special moment of remembrance for those who have passed.
“The performances on the stage were brilliant ... the fireworks display was spectacular, and the middle of the racetrack was a safe and ideal place to stage the pyrotechnics,” Andersen said.
Planning ahead for next year, she says the organisers can see room for improvements.
“Possibly extra parking on the inside of the track.”
Earlier in the week, about 2000 people attended an event at Waiaroha, the Heretaunga Water Discovery Centre.
The 2025 Matariki celebrations at Waiaroha.
The community event was held on Thursday to mark the rising of the Matariki cluster and the start of the Māori New Year, with a range of activities including poi making, star crafting, storytelling, face painting, live performances, and polaroid shots to capture the experience.
The night also featured 350 waka lanterns with messages of healing and remembrance, set afloat on the Waiaroha stream.
350 waka lanterns with messages of healing and remembrance were set afloat on the Waiaroha stream.
More celebrations coming
Matariki celebrations continue across Hawke’s Bay.
From Monday to Sunday, night sky enthusiasts can put navigation skills to the test with the Matariki Star Hunt at the Hastings War Memorial Library.
In Napier on Friday, the council invites residents to gather for an evening of fun from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at the Napier Sound Shell, Marine Parade and Tennyson St.
Also on Friday, the MTG in Napier will be open late for visitors to explore the galleries, hunt for hidden stars throughout the museum and get hands-on with a star-making activity.
