Circus Kumarani will perform their first show on home turf at this weekend's first annual Spirit of Matariki event. Photo / File
More than eight community groups have come together to organise the first annual Spirit of Matariki event this weekend.
There will be an array of activities and games on Sunday for adults and children.
The free entry event will see a day full of kite flying, flag making, market stalls, food stalls, flax work, fundraising, arts and crafts, and an open stage.
The headline act of the day will begin when the sun goes down: a fire show from Circus Kumarani.
Jenny Huriwai, managing director of Circus Kumarani, says there will be more to expect from their performance.
"There will be more storytelling and more narrative in our performance," Huriwai said "with lots of different performers and fire props."
Although Circus Kumarani has been performing a fire show for five years now, this is the first event that has collaborated with community and private groups.
The event will be held on Sunday from 3pm at 17 Onslow St (Selwyn Park).
From flax weaving to a fun day for the whole family, Northland is set to celebrate Matariki in style with a wide range of events planned to mark Maori New Year.
At least 30 events and activities are planned for Northland as Matariki celebrations begin.
Northland started celebrating early this year from late May, with Matariki officially starting yesterday, and will continue until early August. The rising of the star cluster Matariki, and the new moon that follows, signals the start of the Maori New Year.
Northland celebrating Matariki
Waiata joy
Everyone in the community is welcome to join in learning Maori waiata, with words provided.
When: Every Tuesday during the school term, 6pm-7.30pm.
Where: Pehiaweri Marae, 99 Ngunguru Rd, Glenbervie, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
Matariki sky
An opportunity to gaze at the star cluster that is Matariki and look for the new moon.
When: Every Saturday from May 30-July 25, 7pm.
Where: Planetarium North, Heritage Park, 500 SH14, Maunu, Whangarei.
Cost: Adults $15, Children $7.50.
Matariki stargazing
Stargazing evening at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Starts with a presentation about the Matariki star cluster, followed by stargazing and explanations of the connection between the stars and the designs in Te Whare Runanga.
When: June 19, 6pm.
Where: Te Whare Runanga, Treaty Grounds (parking/entrance at the Hobson Memorial (behind the Treaty House).
Cost: Gold coin donation.
Honouring our Tai Tokerau Weavers of the Past
An exhibition of weaving, featuring past weavers from Tai Tokerau and their descendants.
When: June 4-26.
Where: Geoff Wilson Gallery, NorthTec, 51 Raumanga Valley Rd, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
Matariki Ahunga Nui Direction - Origin - Generation
A selection of Theresa Reihana's artwork, all for sale. Her work tries to capture the wairua of Maori. Meet the artist at the wrap-up party on July 31 at 5pm.
When: June 15-July 31.
Hours: Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm, Saturday 8am-2pm.
Cost: Free.
Seven Sisters - Maori Women Storytellers of Te Tai Tokerau
Seven audio-visual screens representing the seven stars of Matariki and celebrating seven women from Tai Tokerau.
When: June 17 -Early August.
Where: Forum North Foyer, Rust Ave, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
7 days comes to Whangarei
Jeremy Corbett and his team's first visit to Whangarei is for Matariki. A chance to hear Kiwi comedians fresh from the studio.
When: June 18 at 6pm.
Where: Captain Bougainville Theatre, Forum North, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
Seven Sisters
An art exhibition bringing together work by 40 Northland women in a celebration of Matariki and mana wahine - the strength of women and their role in strengthening their whanau and communities.
When: Until July 12, Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am-4pm.
Where: Kings Theatre Creative, 80 Gillies St, Kawakawa.
Cost: Free
Hoe Matariki 2015 - Waka Ama Regatta
Whangarei cruising club will host a 18km race from Parua Bay to Passage Island.
When: June 20, 7am-4pm
Where: Whangarei Cruising Club, Parua Bay Club House, Whangarei Heads Rd.
Cost: Free
Spirit of Matariki
Selwyn Park's festivities featuring a produce market, hangi, games for children, Dargaville Arts Association displays, open stage with local talents and a Circus Kumarani fire show at 6pm to finish the day.
When: June 21, from 3pm.
Where: Selwyn Park, Dargaville.
Cost: Free
Matariki Preschool Funtimes
Free fun and interactive activities for pre-school aged children at Whangarei libraries. It will feature music, storytelling, Maori crafts and waiata. All sessions 10-11am.
When: Tikipunga Library, June 13 and 30, July 21 and 28.
When: Whangarei Central Library, June 24 and 25, July 1, 2, 22, 23, 29 and 30.
Cost: Free
Matariki Day at the Marae
A marae open day with interactive activities for all to enjoy.
When: June 24, 10am-2pm.
Where: Pehiaweri Marae, 99 Ngunguru Rd, Glenbervie.
Cost: Free
Flax weaving
Learn how to weave with flax, all ages and all experience levels.
When: June 24, 10-11am, and July 11, 10am-12pm.
Where: Whangarei Central Library, Rust Ave.
Cost: Free
Showcasing Aotearoa
Weekly screening from the audio-visual files at the Whangarei library. See documentaries, children's stories, archival footage and movies.
When: Every Thursday from June 25-July 30, 3.30pm.
Where: Whangarei Central Library, Rust Ave.
Cost: Free
Kaimoana: Nga Tirohanga a Mua ki Muri
Activities and displays about kaimoana sustaining people throughout the past year.
When: June 26 to August 31.
Where: Kiwi North Museum, Maunu, Whangarei.
Cost: Adult $15, student $10, child $5, pre-schoolers free.
Matariki Whanau Festival
Free event for the whole family, with entertainment, activities and kai. Non-stop performances on the main stage from 1-6pm with headline acts J-Geeks, Tasty Brown and Phat32. On the concert stage, there will be performances from the Whangarei Youth Orchestra and Aloha Trio on Hawaiian steel guitar, guitar and ukulele. Plenty of educational activities, art and food.
When: June 27, 1-7pm.
Where: Whangarei Town Basin.
Cost: Free.
Matariki: Artist talks
A chance to listen to local artists talk about the techniques and meaning behind their works with an informal Q&A meeting.
When: July 4, 10am-2pm.
Where: Quarry Arts Centre, Selwyn Ave, Whangarei.
Cost: Free.
Jetsom Artspace
Jestsom Artspace celebrates Matariki with a diverse range of Northland and New Zealand artists.
When: July 4-August 13.
Hours: Opening night 4.30-7pm, Monday to Friday 10am-1pm, Sunday 10am-1pm.
Flax weaving tutorial for beginners
A chance for adults to learn in an intimate group how to weave with flax.
When: July 25, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Where: Whangarei Central Library, Rust Ave.
Cost: Free but registration necessary
Kei Hea Nga Kupu? Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori (Maori Language Week) word hunt
A hunt for seven phrases (one for each of the visible stars of Matariki) throughout the library with prizes up for grabs.
When: Monday July 27-August 2, Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, Sunday 10am-1pm.
Cost: Free
Primary schools kapa haka event: Whakapapa
Part of NorthTec's Matariki programme with kapa haka performances by primary schools showcasing whakapapa (knowing who you are and where you belong).
When: July 27, 11.30am-1.30pm.
Where: Whangarei Central Library, Rust Ave.
Cost: Free
Living the Maramataka Maori in 2015: Tikanga
Part of NorthTec's Matariki programme to showcase tikanga (doing things according to traditional values) with well-known environmental activists Rueben Taipari and Heeni Hoterene talking about establishing environmentally sustainable housing in the Far North.
When: July 28, 10am-1pm.
Where: NorthTec Interactive Learning Centre, Raumanga Valley Rd, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
NorthTec waka ama event: Get out on the water
Part of NorthTec's Matariki programme to give anyone a chance to give waka ama a go.
When: July 28, 4pm -6.30pm.
Where: Beach Rd, Onerahi (by the Onerahi Yacht Club).
Cost: Free (with free soup for participants).
Raid Movement Day at Te Puna o Te Matauranga Marae: Whanaungatanga
Part of the NorthTec's Matariki programme to showcase whanaungatanga (being connected). Ngati Hine Health Trust's RAID Movement will be at the marae to talk about suicide prevention.
When: July 29, 11.30am-1pm.
Where: Te Puna o Te Matauranga Marae, NorthTec Campus, Raumanga Valley Rd, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori, Po Wero Hinengaro: Korero Awhi
Part of the NorthTec's Matariki programme to showcase korero awhi (positive communication) with a trivial pursuits evening. The evening will use te reo Maori.
When: July 29, 5pm-7.30pm.
Where: Interactive Learning Centre, NorthTec Campus, Raumanga Valley Rd, Whangarei.
Cost: $30 per team of six.
Stories of Change and Transformation: Mana/Manaaki
Part of NorthTec's Matariki programme to showcase mana/manaaki (building the mana of others through nurturing, growing and challenging). Stories of transformation and change by Johnny Seve and Phil Paikea.
When: July 30, 10.30am-1.30pm.
Where: Te Puna o Te Matauranga Marae, NorthTec Campus, Raumanga Valley Rd, Whangarei.
Cost: Free
E Tu Whanau Matariki Buffet: Aroha
Part of NorthTec's Matariki programme to showcase aroha (the gift of giving and sharing) with a buffet prepared by NorthTec's hospitality students and entertainment provided by Ben Ratima.
When: July 30, 5-7pm.
Where: NorthTec Apprentice Restaurant, Raumanga Valley Rd, Whangarei.
Cost: $25 per person
Maui Stories for Young Children
Stories for young children about the legends of Maui.
When: August 1, 10-10.30am.
Where: Whangarei Central Library, Rust Ave.
Cost: Free
Whangarei Film Society: Screening of the NZ movie The Dark Horse
When: August 6, 6pm.
Where: Capitaine Bougainville Theatre, Forum North.
Cost: $10 door sales.
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