Inflatable planetarium Starlab here for Matariki

Rotorua people are set to get an enchanting look at the night sky as part of Matariki celebrations at the city's museum.

Starlab, an inflatable planetarium which allows visitors to explore the stars of the Southern Hemisphere, will be at the museum on Sunday.

Families can learn about some of the most visible constellations in our skies, including the Matariki star cluster.

The museum is celebrating Matariki this year with a wide range of fun and informative events.

The star cluster Matariki (Pleiades or Seven Sisters) can be seen rising in southern skies just before dawn in the last few days of May or the beginning of June every year.

The day of the first new moon following the rising of Matariki signals the beginning of the Maori New Year, and a time for family and whanau to get together.

On Wednesday, the museum is hosting two speakers for a free public talk in conjunction with Matariki Rotorua. Starting from 6pm, Rangi Matamua (expert in Maori astronomy) and Michael Parish (Celtic Druid from the United Kingdom) will explore Matariki from diverse cultural perspectives.

The festivities conclude with two Matariki Whanau Nights next Friday and Saturday. These fun family evenings start at 6pm and include interactive storytelling with the Travelling Tuataras, craft activities, star gazing with astronomer extraordinaire Elf Eldridge, Matariki movie screenings and lots more.

Advance bookings are essential for Starlab and the Matariki Whanau Nights with tickets on sale now at Rotorua Museum reception. Starlab tickets $5 per seat (under-5s free). Matariki Whanau Night tickets $5 for adults, $3 for children (under-5s free).

For more information please contact Naiomi Murgatroyd on 07 351 8055.