Marlborough Library, along with Marlborough Art Gallery and Marlborough Youth Council held a successful Matariki celebration at Te Kahu o Waipuna on the evening of 26 June 2024.

More than 250 people came through the door during the beginning of the event to mark the start of the Māori New Year.

“It was particularly pleasing to see new faces in the facility, and the significant number of whānau groups coming in was exactly what we worked towards” said Duncan Mackenzie, Community Learning and Engagement Coordinator.

Following the mihi whakatau the Queen Charlotte College Kapa Haka Group set the tone for the evening with their performance full of warmth and meaning.

In the Children’s Library the main lights were switched off, and with a twinkling of lights through the ‘tree’, children and adults alike 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 it was wonderful to see lots of families enjoying the free kai in the courtyard and foyer.

The host organisations agree there are great foundations for future Matariki events and are particularly grateful for the support from local iwi, Queen Charlotte College, Rina and Connie Pinker, Jules Mackenzie, Dr Lorraine Eade and Paora Mackie.