Matariki celebrated in Whangārei with first Whakanuia a Matariki me Puanga festival

Ngātiwai Kaumatua Kapa Haka Rōpu with MC Miss Kihi (left) opens Whakanuia a Matariki me Puanga at Whangārei's Town Basin, the first major event in Northland to mark Matariki and Puanga, the Māori New Year, of 2022.

Matariki was celebrated in style in Whangārei on Friday evening with the first Whakanuia a Puanga me Matariki (Celebration of Puanga and Matariki) festival.

Local iwi Ngātiwai hosted an evening of live music, kai, arts and entertainment that combined a twilight market on the Town Basin's Canopy Bridge with a concert at the adjacent Pūtahi Park.

Several hundred people gathered at Putahi Park and the Canopy Bridge by 4.30pm despite chilly weather and showers to celebrate the start of Matariki me Puanga, the Māori New Year.

Canopy Bridge was packed with people and close to 40 stalls offering rongoa, crafts, clothing, and a huge range of tasty treats ranging from barbecued crayfish to hangi.

It was the first public event at Pūtahi Park, which has proved a hit with families since it opened in March.

The headline act was the 14-piece roots reggae band Creative Native, fronted by Hani Dread and top session musicians, performing popular Maori anthems.

Ngātiwai Trust Board raukura (chief executive) Hūhana Lyndon said the iwi was excited to be the first group to use Pūtahi Park and surrounding facilities to celebrate Matariki.

Friday evening's show was to be the first in Whangārei by roots reggae band Creative Nātives, which brings together Hāni Dread, Chad Chambers and top session musicians from around the motu.

Other performers were to include local covers band IllumiNgāti and Ngātiwai Kaumātua Kapa Haka Rōpu.

This year will be the first time Matariki has been commemorated with an official public holiday. It will fall on June 24 this year.