Auckland landmarks were last night lit up to celebrate Matariki.

Auckland landmarks were lit up tonight to celebrate the Maori New Year, Matariki.

Matariki may be visible this weekend and some ski fields are set to open.

The Sky Tower will be lit up in orange again this week, during the final week of Auckland's Matariki Festival celebrating Maori New Year.

Modern theatre frequently brings together disparate cultures to create vivid and dramatic storytelling and it's certainly true with Auckland's Matariki Festival programme.

Rawiri Paratene reckons he could be the most well-travelled New Zealander in the world - and even if he's not, his travels have still made history.

More than 20 prominent Auckland buildings and landmarks will be lit up sunrise orange tonight to mark the beginning of Matariki.

The Matariki Festival is gearing up once more, beginning with the unveiling of this year's line-up.

If you had never heard the one about the Irishman, the German and the Sikh, Te Mahurehure Community Marae in Pt Chevalier on Sunday was the place to be.

A Maori version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and a no holds barred kapa haka will be part of this year's Maori New Year celebrations.

The Matariki festivities held around Auckland near their end today with one of the biggest events — the Manu Aute Kite Day at Orakei Marae.

For a group of first time entrants in this year's Kapa Haka Super 12s, there's no place to hide come performance time tomorrow.

In honour of Matariki, Danielle Wright rounds up activities that everyone can enjoy, from twilight bush walks to narrated waka sailings.

Only the staunchest will actually see it. They'll have to brave the pre-dawn chill at a time when sensible people are in bed. But seeing isn't everything.

An R-rated burlesque haka has been added to this year's Maori New Year line-up.

Paul Rush visits a site where Maori legend and ancient architecture collide to remind us of our shared heritage.

"Essentially it's about gathering with family and friends and speaking about planning for the next year, about remembrance for those passed on."

If you're looking to find Matariki in the night skies, try this useful infographic - it'll make your star gazing a little easier.

It makes sense to plant vegetables by the lunar cycles, writes Meg Liptrot.

Make a simple kite as a great way to mark the Maori New Year, suggests Justin Newcombe.

Matariki is a way for non-Maori to learn about Maori culture in a relaxed setting.

Sea creatures will be dancing high above the waters of the Waitemata Harbour today.