a time to remember, give thanks and plan for the future
Learning, sharing and celebrating.
In Aotearoa, the Matariki star cluster rises in midwinter, heralding seasonal change and the start of a New Year.
Matariki reaffirms the concept of whakapapa – the interconnectedness of all living things, and our relationship with the environment.
Matariki is a time to reflect, share kai, give thanks, plan ahead and focus on our collective wellbeing. The introduction of the Matariki public holiday in 2022 is an opportunity for everyone to learn, share and celebrate.
Matariki ki whāingaroa 2022
Celebrating our first national Matariki holiday.
Taking place from the library end of Bow Street through to Wainui Road corner, Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2022 celebrated our first ever national Matariki public holiday.
Creating a much-needed space for reconnection, Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2022 was our first large-scale, post-pandemic community event held in the heart of Raglan.
Starting in the afternoon and going on into the night our community was welcomed to share and connect. Encouraged to wrap up warm and to bring their own cushions and chairs, the community was kept entertained with storytelling, music and fire performers.
The event was a collaboration between Raglan Naturally Community Trust, Whāingaroa Environment Centre, Raglan Lions, and the wider Raglan community.
Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2023
Celebrating under lights.
The Whāingaroa Youthwork Collective hosted a community gathering for Matariki on Saturday 15th at Papahua Reserve. A patch of fine weather encouraged the community to come out and join in the evening. They brought along the kids to skate under the lights, be fed with hearty soups and bbq and entertained with juggling and fire spinning. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best!
Many thanks to the community for joining in, to Raglan Naturally for funding this event; to the Youthwork Collective volunteers for organising and hosting; Raglan Butcher and Raglan Artisan Bread for good local kai; Raglan Light and Sound; Jair from Freedom to Fly; and Damian from Circus Aotearoa.
Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2024
Matariki of endless possibilities.
Inspired by the whakatauki ‘Matariki ki tua o ngā whetū – Matariki of endless possibilities’ Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2024 provided the community with a programme of film, art and kōrero – all celebrating the power of Indigenous knowledge.
Running from June 28th – July 7th at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre, there was a selection of feature and short films. These included the award winning story of the Whanganui river ‘I am the River and the River is Me’; Te Kūmara, a beautifully crafted documentary about traditional ways of growing and storing kūmara produced by Whāingaroa’s own Te Mauri Tau; and short films by taonga puoro artist Komako Silver. The films were accompanied by kōrero from inspirational speakers who celebrate and live the power of Indigenous knowledge every day.
A collective of local Māori artists brought together by Simon Te Wheoro and Aaron Kereopa filled the gallery exhibition space. Designed as an opportunity to mentor less established artists into the exhibition space, the result was a beautifully curated celebration of Indigenous art.
Among the featured artists were members of Ngā Hua o Te Rito, a weaving collective established in 2003 that represents marae from Taharoa to Te Pūaha o Waikato and Ngāti Whātua, Ōrākei.
Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2024 was a collaboration between Raglan Naturally Community Trust and Whāingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation. Funding support was provided by the Department of Internal Affairs, Waikato District Council Creative Communities Scheme, and Matariki ki Waikato.
Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2025
Connecting people and place.
Celebrating the importance of storytelling relevant to our people and place.
Directly linked to the upcoming release of our feature length documentary ‘Tirohia Karioi’, Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2025 again brought together artists from across Whāingaroa to showcase their connections to people and place.
A centerpiece of the exhibition was the 2.7m x 3.0m carved representation of Karioi maunga carved by local whakairo artists Tare Kereopa and Raj Iriving. Simply titled ‘Karioi’ this work “stands as not only a celebration of ancestral echoes and natural beauty but also as an invitation to momentarily pause and contemplate the transient and ephemeral nature of our shared journey”.
Alongside the stunning exhibition, opportunities were provided for the community to try out Mau Rākau, as well as attend a workshop to learn more about the star Waitā and our relationship with the ocean. A community hangi cooked by Leo McQueen and his hardworking hangi crew was also not to be missed!
Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2025 was brought to the community by Raglan Naturally Community Trust, with funding support from the Department of Internal Affairs and Matariki ki Waikato.
