Matariki Parade to fill town with light and music

From left, Glenys Courtney-Strachan, Maria Marshall and Ally Rogers. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua's CBD will be glowing and full of music as people come together for the Matariki All Stars Parade - as Rotorua's big weekend kicks off.

The parade begins at 7pm tonight from the Rotorua Arts Village, with people gathering from 6pm.

It will parade along Hinemoa St, Fenton St, Pukuatua St, Tutanekai St, and through Eat Streat to the Village Green.

Ally Rogers, creative director of the parade, said there would be entertainers from last year's Matariki Star Search.

A fireworks display, especially made for that space and timed to music, will take place at 8.45pm.

Ms Rogers said she was absolutely thrilled the parade was now here and she could not wait.

"The whole team that's worked on the parade is excited."

She said several hundred lanterns had been made through the Matariki Parade art sessions.

Ms Rogers said people did not need a lantern to be in the parade and it was a fun thing to do in winter.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate with each other, to dance down the street and to welcome the tourists."

She said when the parade got to the Village Green and you saw all the lanterns glowing - "it will look beautiful".

Matariki Star Search 2017 co-organiser and judge Mercia-Dawn Yates of Nga Pumanawa e Waru said they had a stellar line-up of acts for their Matariki Star Search Showcase.

They will be showcasing the Matariki Star Search 2016 winner, Promise Royal, and also a number of highly commended acts throughout the night, she said.

These acts will include In the Pocket and Waitahi McGee from Reporoa College, Holly Cash from Kaitao Middle School, Madelyn Skilton who is home-schooled and Promyss Pitman from Chapman College.

Also included in the line-up is Liam Dixon, a slam poet from Rotorua Lakes High School, the cast from Hairspray - Rotorua Girls' and Boys' High School's 2017 musical production - which will start next week, and the Raukura Quartet singing Nga Pumanawa e Waru's song Rotorua a great place to learn.