Matariki Star Search is one of the many events on to celebrate the Maori New Year in Rotorua. Photo/File
Matariki Star Search is one of the many events on to celebrate the Maori New Year in Rotorua. Photo/File
Celebrating Matariki will be easy for Rotorua locals and visitors this year with a Matariki events booklet capturing all the local events on offer.
The appearance of the nine stars that form Matariki in our dawn skies around June or July each year heralds the start of te Tau HouMaori - the Maori New Year.
Rotorua Lakes Council has produced a free, easily accessible booklet.
"The booklet includes everything you need to know about what's happening for Matariki around Rotorua, including both council and community events" said Matariki co-ordinator Jo Doherty.
"There's a lot to do, see, and learn this Matariki and the great news is that most events are free."
Ms Doherty said there was plenty of variety in this year's Matariki line-up including the All Stars Parade which was the first of its kind in Rotorua.
"The parade has lots of amazing elements to it - handmade lanterns, costumes, stilt walkers, the nine stars of Matariki (not the commonly recognised seven), and an ending that includes fireworks.
"One thing we want people to know is that you don't have to just walk the parade, you can roll, push, cycle or crawl if you like. It's all about getting out and supporting and celebrating the spirit of Matariki," she said.
A regular to local Matariki events is the popular Maori astronomer Dr Rangi Matamua who will talk about the origins of Matariki and how it applied in society today.
This Matariki he will be hosted by Rotorua Museum at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.
"It is fantastic to have Dr Matamua return following last year's amazing turnout of nearly 300 people," said Ms Doherty.
"This is his fourth visit and every year we learn something new about Matariki."
Signed copies of Dr Matamua's recently published new book, Matariki: The Star of the Year, will be available to buy at his talk.
Coinciding with this year's Matariki celebrations is the Maori All Blacks and British and Irish Lions match at Rotorua International Stadium on June 17.
The same day Rotorua will attempt to beat the current Guinness World Record for the largest haka.
Led by Rotorua Boys' High School students and national kapa haka champions, more than 6200 people will be required to perform the famous Ngati Toa Rangatira haka, Ka Mate at the Village Green to break the record currently held by the French.
One of the last events this Matariki is a showcase of talented Rotorua youth in the Matariki Star Search finale at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre on July 19.
To get the full list of Matariki events, download the booklet from council's website, or pick up a copy from Rotorua Lakes Council, iSite, the Matariki stall at the Night Market on June 15 or Rotorua Library.
