Matariki Whanau Night at the Rotorua Museum is one of nine events in Rotorua to celebrate the Maori New Year.
Matariki celebrations in Rotorua will feature a range of community events including kite making, family activities, a fashion show, a community walk and a poster competition.
Nine events organised by the Rotorua Lakes Council's museum, library and sport and recreation teams will complement events being organised by other community groups during the next two months, making for a full calendar for Matariki 2015.
Matariki is the Maori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades and is recognised as the Maori new year.
Matariki rises in mid-winter - late May or early June - and literally means the "eyes of god" (mata ariki) or "little eyes" (mata riki).
Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a time to celebrate the harvesting of crops and collecting of seafood and birds, a time when there was plenty of food in the storehouses.
The council's Matariki celebrations start next Saturday with a Matariki Whanau Night at the Rotorua Museum, featuring stargazing in a portable planetarium, storytelling, arts, crafts, face painting, music, food and more.
The final Matariki event being hosted by the council will be Matariki at the Market - the weekly Thursday night market - on July 30.
The winning design in the Rotorua District Library Matariki Poster Competition, which is open to all Rotorua school children, will feature in promotions for next year's local Matariki events.
Maori Services Librarian Haki Tahana said they had created a full and varied calendar of Matariki events for families and people of all ages.
"Matariki has become more and more popular with locals in recent years and we want this special time of year to be a real celebration locally.
"This year's focus is to increase learning about the significance of Matariki and the Maori new year, and we will build on this in future years to make Matariki a major annual celebration for Rotorua," Mr Tahana said.
"We have also started to liaise with others in the community with a view to establishing stronger links and coordination for future Matariki celebrations," he says.
For more information about Matariki visit www.teara.govt.nz.
Matariki community events
• Now to Friday July 3: Matariki Poster Competition, Rotorua Library, free. Design a Matariki poster and be in to win great prizes for you and your kura. Get entry forms at the library, museum and Aquatic Centre. For more information call (07) 348 4177, email library@rdc.govt.nz or visit www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz.
•Thursdays June 18 and 25. July 2, 9, 16 and 23: Family lantern-making workshops, free, 5pm-8pm, Tutanekai St night market. Fun family workshops, all materials provided. For more info call (07) 351 7057 or email brigitte.nelson@rotorualc.nz.
• Saturday June 20: Matariki Whanau Night, Rotorua Museum, featuring Cosmodome plantarium, Travelling Tuataras, crafts, face painting, music, cafe specials and more. Tickets (adults $5, children $3, under 5s free) on sale at Museum. For more info and bookings call (07) 350 1814 or visit www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz.
• Thursday June 25: Whaikorero with Maori astronomy expert Dr Rangi Matamua, free, 6pm-7pm, Museum, find out about Matariki from its origins to now. Arrive early to secure your place. For more info call (07) 350 1814 or visit www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz
• Sunday June 28: Family Matariki Celebration Walk, 1pm-3pm from Rotorua Bowling Club, free, join Maori astronomy student Hohepa Tuahine for an entertaining walk around Government Gardens with music, art and craft activities along the way and a light afternoon tea to finish. Register by June 25, limited places. For more info call (07) 348 4199, email community.events@rotorualc.nz.
• Thursday July 9: Matariki kite-making workshop, 1.30pm, Library, free, all materials provided. For more info call (07) 348 4177, email library@rotorualc.nz or visit rotorualibrary.govt.nz.
• Friday July 10: Matariki kite flying, 10.30am, Library, free event. Test-fly your Matariki kite creations from Thursday's workshop. For more info call (07) 348 4177, email library@rotorualc.nz or visit www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz.
• Thursday July 16: Matariki Fashion Show, Library, 6pm. A night of fun and glamour as local designers show off their creations on the catwalk. For more info call (07) 348 4177, email library@rotorualc.nz or visit www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz.
• Thursday July 30: Matariki at the Market, 6pm until late, free, Tutanekai St - music, food and dance. For more info call (07) 351 7057 or email brigitte.nelson@rotorualc.nz.