Kites expected to pull crowds at marae Matariki festivities

Kite enthusiast Peter Clark flying his Maori birdman version at Auckland's Orakei Marae. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It's been known to stop traffic. The Matariki festivities held around Auckland near their end today with one of the biggest events — the Manu Aute Kite Day at Orakei Marae.

Matariki Festival producer Mikki-Tae Tapara said the popular event was likely to attract about 8,000 people to the marae, but it could also be viewed from afar.

"You put a huge kite up in the air and if you're driving over the harbour bridge, the kids will start screaming: 'Take me to the kites'."

"The event has been known to stop traffic on Tamaki Drive because some of the kites are the lengths of buses.

"They're amazing to look at."

Mr Tapara said kites were traditionally flown to mark Matariki to connect the people with the heavens above and for good fortune.

"It was always a good omen to fly them on the first day but because we have a number of significant events we leave it to the end of the festival."

He said the free event, which would also feature the likes of weaving workshops, activities for children, kapa haka, kai (hangi) and local history, was a chance for non-Maori to connect with marae.

"I spoke with a woman who had lived in Remuera and she told me she had never had a reason to go on to Orakei Marae. This event gives people a reason to go there."

Manu Aute Kite Day

• Where: Takaparawha Reserve, Orakei Marae
Kitemoana St, Orakei, Auckland

• From: 10am to 4pm