Christchurch to be lit up for Matariki as part of new lighting event Tirama Mai

Parts of central Christchurch and New Brighton will be lit up to celebrate Matariki. Photo / Supplied

Christchurch will be lit up to celebrate Matariki as part of the inaugural Tirama Mai lighting event.

Zones within the central city and New Brighton will be lit up from June 25 until July 10, with a series of innovative lighting installations, projections and illuminated artworks created by some of Canterbury's best lighting artists.

Christchurch City Council events and arts manager Tanya Cokojic said lighting events have been popular in the city in the past and it makes sense to have a festival that marks New Zealand's own unique culture.

"Tīrama Mai, meaning to illuminate or bring light, is the first time we have held a lighting event specifically to coincide with Matariki. We want it to grow to become a highly collaborative festival, with mana whenua guiding cultural elements and design."

Residents and visitors to the city will be able to explore the lighting trails from 6pm-11pm every night.

Installations will be located around The Arts Centre, Christchurch Art Gallery, Worcester Boulevard, Victoria Square, Otakaro Avon River Precinct, New Regent St and New Brighton.

Panels telling the story of Matariki will be put up in the central city a couple of weeks before the event starts.

Tīrama Mai will conclude with a Matariki fireworks display on July 10 in New Brighton.

"We've moved our big fireworks display, usually held each November, to July. Holding the fireworks earlier in an evening means families don't need to be out so late and also allows people to visit New Brighton restaurants and cafes before or after the show."

Cokojic said over time the event will expand the current street theatre offering and include exhibitions and exploration of moving image and projections.

"Ultimately we would like to expand into other areas in the Banks Peninsula and the city also."

Tīrama Mai is just one of the events planned in Christchurch over the winter months.

Other events include music festival Go Live! and KidsFest – which is celebrating 30 years of delighting and entertaining Christchurch children in 2021.

The council is distributing a Winter What's On? events guide to all Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri primary schools, libraries and service centres and some cafes at the end of May, which will outline the many other events organisations are also holding over winter.