Matariki ki Waikato

Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust is honoured to announce the Matariki Ki Waikato 2022 festival programme for events from Friday 17 June to Sunday 17 July.

Featuring matauranga Maaori, arts, culture, kai, workshops, theatre, music, dance, fashion, tours, talks, concerts, and special Matariki Market days in Raglan, Hamilton and Ngāruawāhia, this year’s programme has over 100 events, with many free to attend and catering for everyone - tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and Kaumaatua!

Music features include, L.A.B, Jess B and Masaya at Hamilton’s Globox Arena on Saturday 2 July, and kapa haka group Te Pou-o-Mangataawhiri and 80’s band Mercedes, performing free at Maanawatia a Matariki on Friday 24 June. Popular family events include, Kite Day on Sunday 26 June, which sees around 1,000 families enjoy making a kite and flying it together at Hamilton Gardens, plus, the hugely popular with rangatahi, open mic event Whiti 2022, on Saturday 2 July at The Meteor Theatre.

The new Matariki Aotearoa Mobile App launched this year with the festival, provides an easy way to find events and create your own curated festival from whatever mobile device you carry. Scan the QR code found on the back of the print programme, or on the website, and download the free App to get started.
Matariki ki Waikato is the first festival in the country to trial the App with the intention to roll it out across Aotearoa in 2023 and expand to include Waitangi Day activities.

A full list of events can be viewed on the Matariki ki Waikato website, on the Matariki Aotearoa Mobile App, and an edited selection of events featured in the festival print programme - available in cafes and downloadable from www.matarikiwaikato.nz

Festival Director Leesa Tilley said “We would like to acknowledge the current government for creating the first national holiday to mark the Maaori New Year, and providing funding to make the mātauranga associated with Matariki accessible for all. The artwork on this year’s programme resembles the repeating pattern of a pre-dawn landscape or a cycle of days/nights/years/seasons – the patterns that weave us with our ancestors and community, nature and technology. It has been a pleasure to work in such a dynamic environment with the many passionate and dedicated groups to deliver what we hope to be the best Matariki ki Waikato festival yet!”

Matariki ki Waikato is the only Maaori-led Matariki Festival in Aotearoa and the festival launch with Te Karanga O Te Tau Hou aligns to the birthdate of Kingi Korokii Te Rata Mahuta Taawhiao Pootatau Te Wherowhero, heralded by the Matariki cluster shining directly above Waahi Paa on the 16 June 1906.

“In recent years COVID and lockdown restrictions have emphasised the importance of time with whaanau, strengthening our communities and networks, connecting with our taiao (environment), and what nurtures and sustains us in times of need. This year Te Ohu Whakaita Charitable Trust and our Matariki ki Waikato community groups have pulled together an impressive programme to create opportunities for learning, celebrating, connecting, and recharging. We are grateful to our sponsors and partners who have enabled the growth of our Matariki Ki Waikato Winter Festival. Maanawatia a Matariki!” - Marleina Ruka, Chair Te Ohu Whakaita / Matariki ki Waikato

See the Matariki Ki Waikato website for the full programme of events.