Matariki at Unitec
The rise of Matariki (the cluster of stars also known as Pleiades) in the winter skies above Aotearoa is an important time in the Māori calendar, as it signifies the start of the Māori New Year. It’s a time to reflect on the year gone by, plan for the year ahead and celebrate with community.
Unitec will again be celebrating Matariki with a a number of events being held this month at the Mt Albert campus and offsite. Check out the events below where you can connect with Māori culture and learn more about Matariki:
Matariki Memorial Matapihi
Location: Te Puna (B180)
Date: Monday, 16 June – Friday, 27 June, 12pm-1:15pm
This event is an opportunity to remember those dear to us who have passed away.
You are invited to write the names of your loved ones or colleagues on signs or post photos to be displayed in the windows (matapihi) of Te Puna. Feel free to offer a prayer or poem as well.
Meet at the Pod across from the AskMe Desk between 12 noon and 1.15pm. There will be members of SOAR (Unitec Spirituality Oversight, Advocacy and Reference Group) on site each day with writing materials.
We will also add names of any kaimahi and ākonga we have lost since the last rising of Matariki to Te Haumaharatanga – our Memorial Grove next to Gate 4.
Please contact Ricky Waters, Unitec Chaplain rwaters@unitec.ac.nz for more information.
He Kahu Kōrero – Cloaks that Speak: A Love Letter to my Mokopuna
Location: Toi o Wairaka, Te Pūtahi, Building 108
Date: Tuesday, 17 June-Thursday, 3 July. Open Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun from 10am-2pm. Closed 21-22 June
This exhibition is a celebration of the traditional practice and pedagogy of whatu kākahu. Cloaks that whānau Māori have made for their mokopuna, tamariki and whānau will be on display. Alongside these storied cloaks are a photo of the kaiwhatu(weaver) and a letter they have written to their mokopuna.
The series of monthly wānanga held over a two year externally funded research project built a whatu community of practice across three rūmaki reo (total immersion te reo Māori units) in three central Auckland schools. Video footage, images, and interview data snippets gathered and consented through the research project accompany the display of kākahu as a visual record of reflections from the whānau re-telling their experience of learning and activating this creative form of intergenerational transmission of language and toi Māori.
There will be space for interactive feedback for visitors to the gallery and weekend time for kaiwhatu (weavers) to come together and whatu.
School group visits available for tamariki to experience the exhibition. For more information and to book please go to the event page.
Matariki Celebration @ Waitākere
Location: Te Rangimarie, Ground Floor, Waitākere Campus
Date: Wed 18 June 1pm – 5pm
Nau mai, haere mai! Join us for a special afternoon as we celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year.
All are welcome — join us in celebrating this important time of the maramataka together.
This special event will include shared kai, kōrero about the meaning and importance of Matariki, exploring its whakapapa and how it guides us to reflect on the past, live in the present, and plan for the future.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in hands-on, creative activities inspired by the Matariki star cluster.
Matariki Karakia & Breakfast
Location: Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae
Date: Thursday 19 June, 6:45am – 8:00am
Join us for this special opportunity to come together to acknowledge the arrival of Matariki through karakia, followed by a shared Matariki breakfast. We’ll also be supporting an incredible installation by Rachael Pedersen, a current Unitec Master of Creative Practice student.
Karakia starts at 6.45am, followed by a hīkoi and then breakfast in our wharekai, Manaaki. For catering purposes, please RSVP by emailing marae@unitec.ac.nz
Pūanga-Matariki Twilight Market 2025 – Takapuna
Location: Lake House Arts Centre, 37 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna, Auckland
Date: Friday 20 June 2025, 4:00pm – 9:00pm
This is a free event – more information available here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/puanga-matariki-twilight-market-2025/auckland/takapuna
Takapuna Matariki Market 2025
Location: Waiwharariki Anzac Square, 38 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
Date: Saturday, 21 June, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
This is a free event – more information available here.
Over the Matariki long weekend, 60 second year Architecture and Landscape Architecture ākonga will be showcasing eight installation structures which they have created as part of their six-week design studio course. The work is in response to Māori mythology and Maui’s catch, which refers to the North Island being the giant fish that Maui fished up using a hook made from his grandmother’s jawbone.
