Glen Innes Lights Up For Matariki

The skies over Glen Innes will be set alight from 13th July to celebrate Matariki, an event that revives the Maori tradition of marking the passage of time and celebrating the Maori harvest within a modern context. It is Auckland’s most prominent indigenous festival, promoting Māori artists and Māori culture.

Maybury Reserve next to the Glen Innes Village shops will be lit up with over 100,000 sparkling fairylights and light displays alongside tree covered walkways to celebrate Matariki.

The Matariki Light Trail – Ara Rama Matariki event organiser Te Rangi Huata wants Matariki to be a time when the Glen Innes community come together to reflect and celebrate unique Māori customs and new traditions by Māori, for Māori, for everyone, forever.

“The Light Trail is free and will run over nine nights. We encourage locals to wear layered clothing, sensible walking shoes and walk down to the park. There are five entry points into Maybury Park from Taniwha and Maybury Sts and the public carpark at 108 Line Road.”

Ruapotaka Marae, located next to the Light Trail walkway will be offering tasty Maori kai every night at a nominal cost from their dining room.

“ Our goal is to raise awareness of Matariki and to continue to develop and offer a Glen Innes wide festival that incorporates community initiatives and events.”

The Matariki Light Trail provides economic opportunities for local artists to exhibit, sell their work, lead workshops, lectures and weaving and kite demonstrations. The event has a flow on effect to local businesses such as food outlets, restaurants, craft and merchandise vendors, petrol and accommodation providers.

“We want the whole village to come alive for a week and invite locals living elsewhere to come home for the weekend”, said Te Rangi. “Matariki has grown hugely around the country. The first Matariki I organised in 2000 at the Hastings clock tower was an instant hit with 900 people coming out. Since then interest and participation has grown throughout the country. The Glen Innes Matariki Light Trail is going to be a lot of fun and interactive for the whole family”.

The Light Trail will close on 20th July with a spectacular fireworks display to music at 9pm. The organisers advise those with cats or dogs to take them indoors with windows, drapes and doors closed.

“I appreciate the wonderful support I have had from community leaders in Glen Innes. Gary Holmes, Manager for Glen Innes Business Association and Georgie Thompson from Ruapotaka Marae have offered wonderful support.”

The Matariki Light Trail received $17,000 grant from Maungakiekie-Tamaki Board events fund, $10,000 from Public Dreams Trust, on-site power sponsored by Mercury Energy’s Glo Bug and promotional support from Glen Innes Business Association.

“Matariki is our New Zealand new year. Within our generation I believe this event could become the biggest winter celebration in our country. It would be a great legacy for us to leave for future New Zealanders. The Glen Innes Matariki Light Trail is a key to that growth in Auckland”

Matariki Light Trail - Ara Rama Matariki
6pm to 9pm 13th to 20th July
9pm 20th July Fireworks Spectacular
108 Line Road, Maybury Park, Glen Innes

Matariki Light Trail can be found on www.matarikiGI.co.nz

ENDS

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