Exploring the Stars During Matariki in Wellington
Exploring the Stars During Matariki in Wellington
Matariki marks the rising of the Matariki star cluster in the sky and the new moon following the rising of Matariki signals the Māori New Year. A number of events and activities during the Wellington Matariki Festival explore the Matariki star cluster.
The Wellington Matariki Festival features more than 60 free events and activities fromSaturday 13 June to Sunday 12 July in the Wellington region.
Be up early
on Saturday 27 June for a pre-dawn viewing of the Matariki
star cluster from Tangi te Keo, Matairangi (Mt Victoria).
Hosted by Carter Observatory astronomers, participants will
use portable telescopes to view a real-time Matariki rising
and local iwi will explain the significance of the
cluster.
Discovering the stars of Matariki is a focus of the planetarium shows at the Space Place at Carter Observatory throughout the Festival with a special introduction to the stars of Matariki/Puanga, along with korero around the stories of the star clusters and a special ‘light’ gallery trail designed to keep young ones entertained. On Tuesday 23 and 30 June special tours will focus on stories of the Matariki sky and the Māori mythology surrounding this special star cluster.
Also at
Carter Observatory, on Wednesday 17 June Lex French’s
acclaimed Jazz Ensemble performs a new Matariki Suite
inspired by Matariki and featuring a planetarium
accompaniment of the Matariki constellation.
Museum of
New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa has created a special Matariki
design for Light Painting(18 & 25 June, & 2 July) – an
interactive experience for participants to create an aura of
light around themselves and take home a long-exposure
photograph of the unique image.
Renowned astronomical educator Haritina Mogosanu hosts an evening of discovery at The Dowse Art Museum on Friday 3 July. Walk Amongst the Stars includes a presentation at the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library and a Star Party in Dowse Square.
Mahara Gallery
in Waikanae presents two events for children linked to the
Matariki star cluster. Matariki star weaving workshops are
perfect for children aged from four years old and take place
on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July and Puanga Kai Rau,
Matariki Tini Rau on Friday 10 July is a performance by
tamariki (children) and their whānau using puppets,
storytelling and taonga puoro (traditional intstruments and
telling the story of the arrival of Puanga and Matariki in
the winter night skies centred around a garden filled with
magical characters.
For full details of all events, visit matarikiwellington.org
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE
SUPPORT FROM THE WELLINGTON REGIONAL AMENITIES FUND:
Hutt
City Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, Masterton
District Council, Porirua City Council, Upper Hutt City
Council, Wellington City
Council
ends