What's On: Matariki celebrations around Hawke's Bay

LEGENDS: The Matariki star cluster. PHOTO/STEPHEN CHADWICK

Matariki Tamatea
Friday, June 12

Te Aute College SH2, Pukehou - 5pm

-Free entry. Wrap up warm and join us outdoors for this Maori new year celebration at this famous school. There will be entertainment, sky lanterns, hot food for sale and a spectacular fireworks finale.

-Funded by Te Puni Kokiri and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Matariki Heretaunga

Friday, June 19

Flaxmere Park, Henderson Road, Hastings - 5pm

-Free entry. Join the hundreds of families that come out to this great community gathering. There will be soloists, bands, hip-hop dancers and Brazilian drummers. Lots of food, from hangi to hot chips, and free bouncy castles too. Spectacular fireworks finale.

-Funded by Trust House, Te Puni Kokiri and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Matariki Te Whanganui a Orotu

Saturday, June 20

Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier - 4pm

-Free entry. Wrap up warm for this free annual mid-winter festival to welcome the Maori new year. There will be performers, bands, kapa haka and hip-hop dancers. A wide variety of food and goodies for sale and a fireworks finale.

-Funded by Te Puni Kokiri, Infinity & Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Matariki Wairoa

Sunday, June 21 - Saturday, June 27

Community Centre, Marine Parade, Wairoa - 5pm

-Free entry. Join us for the biggest mid-winter celebration in the region. There will be karaoke, free photo fun booth, kapa haka, soloists, bands and dancers. Lots of community food stalls and a fireworks finale.

-Funded by Creative Communities, Endeavour Foundation and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Matariki Wairarapa

Friday, July 3

Celtic Grounds, Memorial Rugby Park, Masterton 5pm

-Free entry. Sky lanterns, kapa haka, bands, soloists, hip-hop dancers, food stalls and a spectacular fireworks finale.

-Funded by Lands Trust, Te Puni Kokiri and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc