Friday, 19 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Travel

Waikato, Ahi Kā : Experiences to keep the Matariki home fires burning

6 Jul, 2022 05:06 PM7 minutes to read
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives a Matariki speech at Te Papa. Video / NZ Herald

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives a Matariki speech at Te Papa. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald
By Alexia Santamaria

Alexia Santamaria explores the Waikato's winter attractions in afterglow of New Zealand's first Matariki holiday

For many New Zealanders, learning about Matariki is an incremental process. Most of us are aware of the essentials - the significance of the stars and the concept of a new year beginning but there's so much more to discover about this beautiful celebration, as we found out on a recent trip to the Waikato. Embarrassingly, as with many aspects of Te Ao Māori, our teen boys knew a lot more than us, but were gentle with us as we acquired new knowledge in interesting and interactive ways.

Around the sculpture park at Waitakaruru Arboretum. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
Around the sculpture park at Waitakaruru Arboretum. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

Our first ever Matariki public holiday started with a walk through central Hamilton. But it wasn't just any walk. The Matariki Star Walk - on till 17 July - is designed to take you through all seven stars (it's seven, rather than nine for Tainui) using a map that becomes available each time you scan a QR code at the previous location. It starts at The Meteor Theatre and goes on to Centreplace with stops at Waikato Museum, SkyCity Hamilton, The Bearded Weasel, Hamilton Central Business Association and Hamilton City Library in between. Each stop has a poster with the name of one of the stars (Matariki, Tupu-aa-nuku, Tupu-aa-rangi, Waitii, Waitaa, Waipuna-aa-rangi and Ururangi) with information on its significance.

Read More

  • Electric jetboats revealed at Shotover, Ngai Tahu unveils climate plan
  • Qatar flight dodges hot air balloon with evasive manoeuvre
  • Cruise holidays: Is Celebrity Beyond the world's coolest cruise ship?
  • Hotel Review: The new Sudima Queenstown Five Mile, the ideal stay for winter ski holidays
Follow the Waipuna-aa-rangi QR codes for a high-tech Matariki celebration. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
Follow the Waipuna-aa-rangi QR codes for a high-tech Matariki celebration. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

The clever thing about this, especially for families, is that you not only get to learn about each of the stars and their meaning, but you also get to see what Kirikiriroa has to offer in the way of fun activities - both free and paid. We loved kicking things off at the Meteor Gallery with the Aho Hīnātore exhibition, (on till 16 July) a series of paintings by Jordyn Daniels (Ngāi Tahu) depicting atua wāhine. When you have Xbox obsessed teen boys it's so great to get them thinking about things outside their usual realm, and in any gallery we always love asking them which pieces of art they are drawn to, and why. The answers are never what we think.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Around the sculpture park. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
Around the sculpture park. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

The Waipuna-aa-rangi QR code was on a poster in Waikato Museum but we didn't stop to linger as we know we would have ended up there all day and never completed the trail. If you haven't taken your kids there before, definitely do, as there's a lot of hands-on fun - covid restrictions pending of course. Heading towards the stops at SkyCity and The Bearded Weasel (excellent fried chicken) we took the river route as it's always a must-do for any trip to Hamilton - there's something very soothing strolling by the side of this mighty awa. The poster for Waitaa was actually in the Bowling Alley at SkyCity, which looked very cool, and we noticed an Escape Room on the way in too. The stops in Garden Place took us to the library to find the Matariki star herself and this bright colourful building clearly offers a lot more than just books with all kinds of

weekly activities

from coding, to art club to photographic exhibitions and more.

It was great to finish the star search at Centreplace where we located the final poster (Tupu-aa-rangi) - the boys made us promise to come back for shopping, food and any one of the activities available inside the mall (Mini Golf, Escape Rooms, Megazone Laser Tag, Hologate and Virtual Reality) We escaped on a promise of food truck action at the Maanawatia a Matariki celebrations at Hamilton Lake. After grabbing tacos and hot dogs we had a lovely, relaxing afternoon listening to live music on our rug on this lakeside setting. Our boys are too big for playgrounds now but we couldn't help but think how much they would have loved the enormous one there by the water when they were younger. A true godsend for tiring out little legs.

Around the sculpture park. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
Around the sculpture park. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

After a good sleep at the Ventura Inn and Suites (well located and kitted out for families) it was off for some retail therapy at The Base where the kids didn't have to be asked twice to don VR goggles and check out Guardian Maia in an immersive Matariki experience. There were also screens where they could try out the brand new Guardian Maia adventure game. This was designed and created in New Zealand by Metia Interactive - and it was very cool to see Matariki challenges set in Te Ao Māori - even cooler that it will soon be available from Google Play and the Apple Store for everyone.

After that it was time to head a little further south to Tauwhare Pa. It always amazes me to find treasures like The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum I've never even heard of before. It's a delightful 2km trail with the most amazing, often large, sculptures to admire. We wound through ponds, cliffs, rocks and more 30,000 trees from around the world in this wonderland born from a former quarry. The large scissors and fibreglass knitting were a big hit as were the curious faces of sculptures set in amongst trees and bush.

Hamilton City Library. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
Hamilton City Library. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

Then it was on through Cambridge for lunch and to our final stop for our Matariki weekend at Waitomo Caves. We felt extremely privileged to take part in the first ever Matariki tour of this well-known tourist attraction where we witness a beautiful Powhiri, enjoyed Kawakawa tea and had a special nightime cave tour where we were the only group in the place. Our guide was a direct descendent of the chief who first explored the caves and was full of interesting facts and great jokes. The cavern-like natural cathedrals, stalactites, stalagmites and gloworms were - as always - mesmerising and it was hard not to connect their sparkly presence with Ngā Whetū o Matariki.

Related articles

Travel

Cool as: Why every Kiwi should take a trip to the glaciers

29 Jun 11:12 PM
Travel

Paparoa Track: Why DoC's newest Great Walk might be its best

04 Jul 10:41 PM
Travel

Winter island escapes, Aotearoa-style

29 Jun 05:00 PM

After resting our heads at the Waitomo Homestead Cabins overnight we made our way back home the next day, full of joy and contemplation of this new public holiday and its importance to Aotearoa. Sharing quality family time, eating together, remembering those who have passed, looking to the future with hope; celebrating Matariki - wherever and however you do it - is a shining ray of light in a complicated world.

Bull and Bear in Hamilton. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
Bull and Bear in Hamilton. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

Where we ate - and you should too

An important part of Matariki is sharing good kai with those you love. Here are some family-friendly Waikato suggestions

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The River Kitchen (Hamilton) - a must for brunch. With a huge focus on local producers, this is food made with love. Pokeno pork and fennel bangers with miso mash and caramelised onions were the perfect start to a day and the boys loved their big breakfast, luscious pancakes with with pears, maple syrup and labneh - and a s'mores hot chocolate that has to be seen to be believed.

River Kitchen. Photo / Alexia Santamaria
River Kitchen. Photo / Alexia Santamaria

The Chilli House (Hamilton) - this place is constantly packed, maybe because dumplings and noodles are freshly made on the daily. Dumplings doused in Sichuan sauce and Youpo Noodles for us, spring onion pancakes and unadorned dumplings for the boys.

Bull and Bear (Hamilton) - Fun bites to share. The sourdough parmesan bread will be gone in seconds (as will the gyoza, fried chicken and pork belly) There are also pizzas and larger shared dishes - warning: if you order the flatbread topped with Hawkes Bay pulled lamb shoulder, curry, pickled onion, mango relish, mint cumin yoghurt and coriander you're probably not going to want to share.

Alpino. Alexia Santamaria
Alpino. Alexia Santamaria

Alpino (Cambridge) - If you are passing through Cambridge this little slice of Italy is an essential stop. The kids will be all over the pizza and cicchetti, like stringy mozzarella bites with lemon aioli - and you'll love the more grown up dishes like crispy skinned snapper with Jerusalem artichokes three ways or homemade pappardelle pasta with braised goat ragu, pomegranate and shaved parmesan

Fat Kiwi Cafe (Otorohanga) Lots of great breakfast and brunchy options here but you're likely to be distracted by the cabinet heaving with home baked goodness. Panini, slices, sweets, salads and sausage rolls the size of your head (okay not quite, but they are big) Something for everyone.

"
"

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Travel

Travel

Two pilots fall asleep mid-flight while plane soars past destination airport

19 Aug 02:30 AM
Travel

Mount Kilimanjaro installs internet, social media-loving travellers rejoice

19 Aug 12:09 AM
Travel

Sharp focus: New York's thinnest building on Billionaire's row

18 Aug 08:32 PM
Travel

'See you in heaven': Family's terror as man tries to open door mid-flight

18 Aug 07:35 PM
Travel

Fast fashion: Giorgio Armani flees Sicilian wildfires

18 Aug 06:37 PM

Most Popular

Watch live: Not over yet - Civil Defence warns of more heavy rainfall for Tasman region
New ZealandUpdated

Watch live: Not over yet - Civil Defence warns of more heavy rainfall for Tasman region

19 Aug 01:45 AM
'It's not fair': Dangerous Aussie Comancheros boss to be deported to NZ
New Zealand|CrimeUpdated

'It's not fair': Dangerous Aussie Comancheros boss to be deported to NZ

19 Aug 12:39 AM
Premium
Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price
BusinessUpdated

Cecilia Robinson rejoins My Food Bag board amid 'deeply disappointing' share price

19 Aug 12:04 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP