Hundreds brave year's coldest temperatures to open Matariki celebrations in Hawke's Bay

Matariki celebrations in Hawke's Bay have started, with events in Central Hawke's Bay over the weekend. Photo/Supplied

Ngati Kahungunu Matariki celebrations have opened with a cold yet "amazing" night in a weekend of events in Central Hawke's Bay.

The first event was by Te Taitimu Trust at Te Aute College, trust CEO Zack Makoare estimating up to 600 people braved the outdoors on Friday night, when there were clear skies but air temperatures dropped to the coldest of the year so far, with a minimum of -0.7C being recorded in Waipukurau in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday.

Saturday's afternoon and early-evening celebration in Takapau was moved indoors to the Town Hall because of the threat of of rain but stalls outside still attracted a crowd of 300 to 400, said organiser Hirani Maaka.

A Hastings Matariki celebration will be held next Friday night in Flaxmere Park, while others in Hawke's Bay will be at the Soundshell on Napier's Marine Parade on Saturday night, in the Wairoa Community Centre on the night of June 23, and on the night of July 14 at the Dannevirke Showgrounds.

Among those at Te Aute College on Friday night was Maori Party co-leader and Masterton-based MP Marama Fox, who was one of the MCs at the huge, biennial kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, in Hastings in February.

Mr Makoare, whose trust marks its 10th anniversary this year with a history of programmes to develop leadership and opportunity for struggling young people, said the opening event showcased young people in such groups as Te Aute College's kapa haka performance, and that of sister school Hukarere Girls' College, of Napier.

It finished with a fireworks display organised by productions, lights and fireworks specialist Te Rangi Huata, and Kahungunu haka Tika Tonu.

Mr Makoare said impacts of Matariki celebrations take many forms, from the evening's weather promoting the need to ensure children are appropriately dressed for the cold nights, to the following night's Canterbury Crusaders haka he saw on TV leading into the third match of the British and Irish Lions rugby tour.

"I never thought I'd see a South Island team doing a haka before a game on TV," he said.

The Matariki ki Takapau celebration was being held for the third time, starting with a mid-afternoon event at Rakautatahi Marae south of Takapau. Organiser Hirani Maaka said she was particularly pleased by the first-time participation of Central Hawke's Bay College kapa haka Pukekaihau during the events.