Celebrate Maori New Year during Auckland’s annual Matariki Festival.

Matariki Festival 2011 includes dozens of special events and activities organised around Tamaki Makaurau to give people of all cultures a chance to celebrate Maori New Year, a special time of year unique to New Zealand.

From the Official Dawn Karakia (prayer) opening ceremony at Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) to Manu Aute Kite Day supported by New Zealand Post on the closing weekend, there is something for everyone.

Feature events include:

• Tiramarama - a special star-studded music concert
• Manu Aute Kite Day supported by New Zealand Post - a fun, free family-focused event with an associated kids’ colouring competition
• 2degrees Kapa Haka Super 12s - a chance to see some of Aotearoa’s best cultural performers compete
• New World Matariki Wananga-a-Kai - a food forum focused on traditional Maori kai (food)
• Tuakana-Teina Project : Te Awarua and Strong Hands - a double-bill of one new and one classic play
• Unitec presents Nga Korero Tataki Leadership Conversation - three nights of stimulating discussion focused on Maori economic development.

Heralded by the rising of the Matariki star cluster, Maori New Year has always been an important time in the Maori calendar. Matariki Festival showcases Maori culture and creativity and gives everyone a chance to come together with tangata whenua to experience a living cultural tradition.

Matariki Festival is brought to you by a variety of organisations, groups, individuals and venues around the region, including the sponsors and supporters listed below.