Matariki gets a makeover

Matariki kite made from mother of pearl and pheasant feathers. File picture / Dean Purcell

It's a midwinter tradition that's always had the makings of a great community shindig. Now Matariki is being re-invented as a signature event for our modern metropolis.

Matariki Festival kicks off this weekend, and for the next month Aucklanders will be treated to the biggest line-up of Maori-themed arts, culture and outdoor activities the region has seen.

Auckland City, Waitakere, Manukau and North Shore councils are coming to the party with funds and venues to promote an imaginative programme. The schedule aims to offer something for almost everyone.

For nature-lovers, or anyone who thinks they can make the early start, dawn observations will be held at sites including Waiheke Island, Piha and Rangitoto.

From Mission Bay to Swanson, those keen to nourish the land can join community planting days.

The creatively inclined can attend childrens' art projects, music workshops and cultural performances, and make kites or poi.

Seminars and guided walkabouts on the festival's heritage and the region's history and culture run through the month.

One-off events include a kite-flying day at the Domain and an open invitation from Orakei Marae to mark sunrise on their grounds, with a traditional ceremony, dawn bonfire, planting and hangi lunch.

There's plenty to tempt us outside our doors and our comfort zones.

It's also a programme built around what we already know we're good at, according to Auckland City leisure services manager Paul Heron, whose council, with the help of Maori arts group Toi Whenua, has driven the festival.

Heron says survey data they compiled with a view to developing major events shows Aucklanders are well aware of what those talents are.

"People told us the assets as far as they were concerned are cultural diversity, our harbour, our active outdoor lifestyle and our creativity."

Cash injection

The council paid attention. In 2004 it launched a strategy for events based on these strengths. This was followed with a cash injection intended to rival Wellington's funding for its major events, which last year pushed close to the $3 million mark.

Last September Auckland City announced it would nearly double its event sponsorship budget to $1.24 million with a further $445,000 for community events and $1.45 million for the biennial Auckland Arts Festival.

Ten festivals were earmarked as having potential to grow, and we've already begun to see some of them roll out.

Already this year, we've seen the introduction of new maritime festivals. From ethnic groups living in the city have come Pasifika, the Lantern Festival and the Diwali Festival of Lights for all Aucklanders to enjoy.

Now the indigenous festival will get the star treatment.

It's a ready-made blueprint, Heron says, for all to celebrate where we live.

He believes the winter tradition — like the celebration of Christmas and New Year in winter in the Nopthern Hemisphere — is so inherently positive it can only add to Aucklanders developing a sense of identity, and help visitors to the city enjoy that too.

"It's about who we are and our unique heritage," he says. "Nobody else can claim to have Maori as indigenous people."

It's also a chance for Maori to reap economic benefits. "We're looking to showcase Maori culture, arts and business in a winter forum. It's actually one of the true regional events, which is wonderful."

The potential of a strong, accessible, indigenous festival is not lost on the many weavers, carvers, painters, clothes designers and jewellery makers who chose to exhibit at this time.

Tourism Auckland chief executive Graeme Osborne has already given his seal of approval to council plans to make an aggressive bid for major events.

Matariki, he says, has a clear place as "a celebration of our heritage and our history and our tangata whenua".

For young people around the region gearing up for Matariki discos after learning about it in class, it's a celebration.

For children at a local primary school weaving flax plates that Orakei Marae will use to serve the hangi, it's about giving.

For armies of volunteers giving skills, knowledge and time, it's a campaign to ensure the festival succeeds and grows. That's Heron's hope, too.

"Matariki has been around for a long time. It's on the upswing. It has struck a chord with New Zealanders and Aucklanders, and it's because it's about us."

Matariki: a constellation that appears in the sky above Aotearoa around now. Ancient rituals at dawn. A new moon. And — for many Maori — a new year.

More information: matarikifestival.org.nz

- AUCKLANDER