Matariki At Matariki Arrowtown Lights

24 June 2022

Under crisp, clear blue Central Otago skies over a thousand gathered in Arrowtown / Kā Muriwai to celebrate Matariki with waiata, kapa haka, illuminations, projections, fire dancing, food and music.

The appreciative crowd appearing to agree with the speech by Arrowtown Museum Director David Clarke (recently awarded the Queens Service Medal for services to heritage preservation). “As a recorder of history, I think you will all remember where you were on the first Matariki celebration in New Zealand was spent.”

A mihi and waiata by Cory Ratahi and Ngā Manu Hou o Whakatipu began the formalities.

QLDC’s rangatahi in this year’s Tuia programme - Olivia Jones, along with Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult completed the official opening, with the mayor announcing that after two years isolated from loved ones - Matariki had come at a great time.

“Matariki is a time for renewal, reflection and celebration of our connection with each other, our whanau and our amazing environment. It’s a time for hope… It’s also a time for us to reflect and acknowledge the contribution of our ancestors who paved the way for our way of life in this wonderful part of the world.”

Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association Manager Nicky Busst said she was thrilled to see so many people embrace the event. “It’s really brought the community together and I’ve met so many people from all parts of New Zealand who’ve heard about it and want to know more about Matariki or have come down because they have some sort of connection here.”

The Arrowtown Preschoolers performance delighted the crowd, before Arrowtown Primary School’s renowned kapa haka group of 70 braved the cold to perform eight sets. They included a new waiata that has never been performed in public by the group before. “I found it quite emotional – it was really quite beautiful,” said Nicky.

Once it became dark - Arrowtown’s historic buildings were lit up as never before. The meaning of Matariki - and the beginning of the Māori New Year - explored through illuminations and projections by the South Island Light Orchestra (SILO). The Arrowtown Primary School – once again adding to the artistic creations.

As the crowds continued to grow - the wonders of the Matariki stars, astrophotography, and Otago’s dark night skies were enthusiastically shared by one of the world’s pre-eminent astrophysicists, Professor Brian Boyle.

A Māori film festival at Dorothy Browns, is being held over the weekend with films including new release – Whina and Whale Rider and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

The final day features local arts, craft and produce at the More FM Market.

For more information about Matariki Arrowtown Lights and what’s happening over the rest of the weekend visit our website here and follow us on Instagram, and Facebook.

The Arrowtown Matariki Lights is funded by:

Central Lakes Trust, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Community Trust South, New Zealand Community Trust, Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group (Connecting Communities Fund) and the Regional Events Fund, which includes The Southern Lakes Events Investment Panel, Destination Queenstown, Lake Wanaka Tourism & Tourism Central Otago.

About the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association (APBA) arrowtown.com

The Arrowtown and Promotion Business Association (APBA) is a non-profit community organization of commercial ratepayers and other business operators covering the Arrowtown area. Their primary focus is to promote and advocate for their members and protect the heritage and natural character of Arrowtown whilst supporting economic growth, events, sustainability and kaitiakitanga.

About the Arrowtown Charitable Trust (ACT)

The Arrowtown Charitable Trust (ACT) was initiated by the APBA in 2011. It aims to set up and progress environmental heritage and lighting projects - to highlight and preserve the current historic status of Arrowtown for the benefit of New Zealand’s future generations.

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