Matariki celebrations at Te Kahu o Waipuna
Adults and children listening to Matariki stories read by Rina Pinker
Marlborough Library, Marlborough Art Gallery and Marlborough Youth Council held a successful Matariki celebration at Te Kahu o Waipuna last month.
More than 250 people marked the start of the Māori New Year.
“It was really pleasing to see some new faces and whānau groups coming in,” Community Learning and Engagement Coordinator Duncan Mackenzie said.
Following a mihi whakatau, the Queen Charlotte College Kapa Haka Group set the tone for the evening with their performance.
In the Children’s Library, children and adults listened and read along to Matariki stories in Te Reo and English, read by Rina Pinker. Aligning with the whānau experience, Rina introduced her mum Connie, who brought out her guitar and encouraged the gathering to sing waiata and move their tinana (body).
Matariki themed crafts for the tamariki, and a guided tour of Ngāti Rārua’s Te Heke Whakangā exhibition in the Art Gallery meant there was something for everyone to enjoy over the course of the evening.
Marlborough Youth Council manned the BBQ and families enjoyed the kai in the courtyard and foyer.
The host organisations agreed there were great foundations for future Matariki events and were particularly grateful for the support from local iwi, Queen Charlotte College, Rina and Connie Pinker, Jules Mackenzie, Dr Lorraine Eade and Paora Mackie.
