Nau mai, haere mai ki, Porirua City. Join us to celebrate the Māori New Year 2023.
Matariki will be celebrated in Porirua from 1-16 July this year. It’s a time to spend with whānau, share stories and kai, remember your ancestors and celebrate life.
We’re planning a range of events and activities for the whole whānau to enjoy. Keep an eye on our Facebook Events page for upcoming events.
A highlight not to be missed is our evening art installation.
With the help of her kuia Patricia Grace, local artist Miriama Grace-Smith has created a beautifully animated display, Hei Matariki, that will light up the outer wall of Te Rauparaha Arena. The display tells the nostalgic story of simple Matariki rituals through the eyes of our tamariki.
It is set in and around Plimmerton’s Hongoeka Marae, celebrating the rising of Matariki in the dawn sky. With voices recorded by the children of Porirua City, this work of art is a unique community creation made right here in Porirua.
The display will play in a loop between 6-9pm each night between 12-16 July.
Matariki Events at Te Rauparaha Arena and online
Nau mai, haere mai ki Porirua City. We invite you to celebrate Matariki in Porirua City where there will be fun for the whole whanau.
Hei Matariki
📅 12-16 July, 6-9pm
🗺️ Outside at Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
The display on the outer walls of Te Rauparaha Arena tells the nostalgic story of simple Matariki rituals through the eyes of our tamariki. Display will loop between 6-9pm each night between 12-16 July.
Food Trucks! 13 - 15 July, outside Te Rauparaha Area
Zayaz Kebab Food Truck will be there on the 13th, 15th and 16th, alongside K K Food Caravan on the 12th, and Hong Kong Foodie on the 14th, 15th and 16th. So come down to Te Rauparaha Arena, watch the free Hei Matariki display, and treat yourself to some tasty kai.
Matariki Hautapu
📅 12 July, 5am-7am
🗺️ Online Link
Watch the ceremony online, hosted by Ngāti Toa to mark the New Year and honour the past.
Hāngī under the stars
📅 16 July, 4-6.30pm (hāngī pick up time)
🗺️ Pick up inside Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
➡️ $14 each (no extra fees) Pre-purchase recommended, limited availability
Dine outside Te Rauparaha Arena, bring a picnic blanket or deck chair to watch the digital Hei Matariki display on the outer walls of Te Raupharaha Arena.
Ground cooked hāngī, for the final night of the Matariki story projection in an outdoor setting. Make sure to bring a picnic rug and some warm layers.
Each hāngī serving includes: a portion of pork, chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, cabbage, and stuffing. Vegetarian option available when booking.
Pre-purchase your hāngī by phoning Te Rauparaha Arena (04) 237 1521 between 5.30am–9pm weekdays and 8am–7pm weekends or visit Te Rauparaha Arena counter during opening hours.
Celebrate Matariki at Pātaka
Mānawatia a Waitī, a Waitā!
We’re celebrating Matariki at Pātaka Art + Museum this year with a special focus on Waitī and Waitā – two stars in the Matariki cluster. Waitī is connected to fresh water, our lakes and rivers; and Waitā is connected to salt water, our seas and oceans.
Enjoy the following exhibitions during Matariki
Naadohbii: To Draw Water｜Te Tini a Tangaroa - The multitudes of Tangaroa｜Toi Ora ki te ao, ki te po｜Whiti te Rā! - the story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira
Matariki crafts
📅 1-16 July, 10am–4pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
Come along with your whānau and enjoy free craft activities. Suitable for all ages.
Toi Kōrero - Floor talks
📅 1 July, 11am
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
With Pātaka Lead Curator Ioana Gordon-Smtih and Kimberley Moulton , Senior Curator Southeastern Aboriginal Collections, Museums Victoria
Make your own Maramataka
📅 3 July, 10-11am and 1-2pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | Email [email protected] with subject line: Exploring Maramataka, phone (04)237 1511 or visit Pātaka reception.
School holiday classes, make your own maramataka and learn about the lunar calendar. The Maramataka, means ‘the moon turning,’ is the Māori lunar calendar
Meet the Artist / Tufuga Fau Va’a
📅 12-15 July, 11am-2pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
With Niumaa’na Magele John Misky, voyager and expert boat-builder extraordinaire
Kanapu Matariki (Matariki Lanterns)
📅 14 July, 10am-11.30am
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
Decorate and make your own paper lantern to see in the Māori New Year. Ages 8+
Mauri Oho weaving demonstration
📅 14 July, 11am-2pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
Mauri Oho weavers demonstration and display weaving.
Waitī and Waitā facepainting
📅 14 July, 11am-2pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
Tamariki can have their faces painted with stars Waitī and Waitā, the stars that look after our fresh and ocean waters, and the creatures that live within them.
Tours of Whiti Te Rā! - The story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira
📅 14 July, 11am and 2pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
With Iwi Host Te Aurere Coker
Footnote Dance Company performance
📅 15 July, 10.30am
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Free | No booking required
Footnote Dance Company will perform a piece in response to the Naadohbii: To Draw Water exhibition in the gallery
Te Tini a Tangaroa – Gyotaku Workshop - Sold Out
📅 16 July, 11am-2pm
🗺️ Pataka + Art Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua
➡️ Sold Out
Learn the art of gyotaku fish printing using sustainably caught fish. Create multiple works using cotton, ink and brushes. With artist Tim Li
Matariki School Holiday Programme at Porirua City Library
All events happen in the Children’s Library area. Parents and caregivers are to remain with their children at all times. We reserve the right to cancel or replace events.
Join the Porirua Libraries Children’s Chat Group on Facebook for most current details: facebook.com/groups/PoriruaLibraryChildrensChat
Maumaharatanga Storytime
📅 5 July, 10.30am
🗺️ Porirua City Centre Library, Corner of Norrie and Parumoana Streets, Porirua City
📲 Find the event on Facebook
Bring in a memory item to show and tell us about and listen to stories about special things that help us remember. All ages.
Maumaharatanga Craft Session
📅 7 July, 10.30am
🗺️ Porirua City Centre Library, Corner of Norrie and Parumoana Streets, Porirua City
📲 Find the event on Facebook
Create a glass jar memory lantern to brighten the path for the Māori New Year. Donations of clean glass jars welcome. Recommended for ages 5+.
Memory Galaxy
📅 10 July, 10.30am-12pm
🗺️ Porirua City Centre Library, Corner of Norrie and Parumoana Streets, Porirua City
📲 Find the event on Facebook
Join the ingenious poet Katja Starke and create a memory galaxy, relax under poetic stars to the music from Harp Lady, Karen Jones. Ages 5+.
Tuhinga Pikitia
📅 12 July, 10.30am-12pm
🗺️ Porirua City Centre Library, Corner of Norrie and Parumoana Streets, Porirua City
📲 Find the event on Facebook
Reorua storytime, waiata, and craft session for picture book lovers. All ages.
