Matariki: What's on

MATARIKI AT THE MUSEUM

Manaia cultural performance The museum's Maori cultural performance group offers an insight into Maori mythology, genealogy (whakapapa) and spirituality (taha wairua).

Daily, 11am, noon, 1.30pm. Adults $15, children $7.50. Bookings essential. Poi introduction Learn the basics of using poi in informal sessions.

Sun, Mon, Wed throughout festival, 11am, 2pm. Free. Koauau (flute) workshop James Webster and Warren Warbrick show traditional methods of producing and learning to play taonga puoro.

Sat June 24, 10am. Cost $25. Bookings essential. Putorino (trumpet) workshop Workshops guided by leading taonga puoro artists James Webster and Warren Warbrick. Auckland Museum, Maori Court and Education Room.

Sun June 25, 10am. Cost $35. Bookings essential. Star mural Children, decorate a star for the Matariki night-sky star mural, which will go on display in the Treasures and Tales zone.

Sat June 24, Sun June 25, 10am. Free. Taonga puoro lecture Rangiiria Hedley introduces Hineraukatauri and an overview of taonga puoro.

Wed June 28, 6pm. Free. Maori heroes Pre-schoolers can see stories come alive with songs, musical instruments, craft activities and more.

July 3, 5, 10, 12, 19, 10.30am and 11.15pm. Cost $4 per child. Storytelling Traditional tales of the natural world told by Janneen Love.

July 4-5, 11am. Free. 10-minute activities The Stevenson Discovery Centre will be running 10-minute children's activities.

Daily from Sat July 1-Sun July 16, 10.30am-noon, 1.30pm-3pm. Cost $2, door sales. Te Kaha o Te Waiata film The NZ Film Archive presents a programme on Maori musicians and their work.

Sun July 2, 3pm. Free. Ko Tawa Taonga Puoro lecture The museum's Maori director, Dr Paul Tapsell, talks about the instruments in the Ko Tawa exhibition of treasures from the Gilbert Mair Collection, which includes the famous flute of Tutanekai.

Wed July 5, 6pm. Free. Poi Children, make poi and have fun learning the poi actions to a waiata (song), then see them used by the professionals in the Manaia performance.

Thurs July 6, 11am-12.30pm. Ages 7-10 years. Cost $12. Bookings essential. Titi Torea Titi torea are the sticks used to accompany songs and to teach fast hand-eye co-ordination. Decorate your own set of titi torea and learn the skills

Fri July 7, 10am-12.30pm. Ages 7-10 years. Cost $12. Bookings essential. Hineraukatauri concert Acclaimed artists from across Aotearoa perform in celebration of Hineraukatauri and her whanau (family).

Sat July 8, 2.30pm, 4.30pm. Free. Ko Tawa Film inspired by the Ko Tawa exhibition.

Sun July 9, 3pm. Free. Taonga puoro workshop James Webster teaches older children about traditional Maori music, how to make your own koauau (flute) and play it.

Mon July 10, 10.30am-12.30pm. Ages 11-15 years. Cost $16. Bookings essential. Fred's Frond Interactive show that tells of Fred's waka journey to deliver magic koru to his friends.

Tues July 11, Thurs July 13, 11am. Free. Music technology demo Otara Music and Arts Centre demonstrates its innovative programme for young people.

Sat July 22, 4pm. Free. Further information: Further information: www.aucklandmuseum.com, ph 09 309 0443

MATARIKI AT THE STARDOME

Morning Matariki viewing A Stardome presenter will point out the star cluster, if visible, on the horizon.

Mon-Fri, 6.15am till sunrise, Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill summit Matariki breakfast Meet at the Stardome Observatory for a walk (or ride) to the summit to view Matariki, then make your way back down the hill for a celebratory breakfast.

Sat June 24, $20 per person. Bookings essential. Evening programme Matariki viewing in the planetarium and a talk about how Matariki, the Pleiades star cluster, is viewed throughout the world.

Wed June 21-Sat June 24, 8pm. Bookings essential. Matariki Day Out Saturday afternoon fun children's activities and shows from 1.15pm.

Sat June 24, Sun June 25. $7 per person for all three shows. Matariki art contest Children create a piece of art inspired by Matariki. Two age-groups (under-7 and 7-15 years) will be judged by a celebrity guest.

Further information: www.stardome.org.nz, ph 09 624 1246

- AUCKLANDER