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.
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.