He Hereka Waka – Matariki Launch Event

Join us at Tūhura Otago Museum as we launch Dunedin’s 2024 Puaka Matariki Festival and Waka Whetū exhibition with official welcomes, speeches, performances and kai.

The return of the star Puaka and the Matariki cluster to our pre-dawn midwinter skies heralds Te Tau Hou Māori – the Māori New Year. Together with manawhenua, city officials and the wider community, celebrate this special time and be among the first to experience Waka Whetū – a new interactive, multidisciplinary exhibition and short planetarium film exploring the meaning and significance of Matariki.

Created in collaboration with Otago Polytechnic School of Design and Tūhura Otago Museum’s Kāi Tahu tātai aroraki researcher Victoria Campbell, Waka Whetū offers visitors a space for both learning and reflection. Hear from project participants about the process, the exhibition and kaupapa Matariki.

This is the first of many diverse community events being offered across Ōtepoti Dunedin during the Puaka Matariki Festival.

5.30pm – 7pm, Tuesday 25 June
Atrium Level 1 and Beautiful Science Gallery
Free, bookings required

RSVP here: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/he-hereka-waka-matariki-launch-event