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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Matariki 2025: Art light trail showcasing local creators snakes through Auckland city centre
The trail begins on Upper Queen St on the corner of Mayoral Drive, leading into Myers Park along a stairway designed by Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) with patterns depicting pātiki to discover the captivating light and sounds of Waimahara. Waimahara asks people to remember Te Waihorotiu, the stream that flows quietly beneath the underpass. Commissioned by Auckland Council, this permanent multi-sensory artwork – by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu), technology experts IION, skilled Māori composers and creatives – is just the beginning. Te Ara Rama Matariki Light Trail. Photo / Glenn Iness Step 2: Tūrama and Taurima Upon returning to Queen St, Tūrama will begin to unfold. A series of art installations tells ancient stories of place as you walk towards the sea. First, participants will see Horotiu, a 9m kaitiaki who symbolically guards the ancestral river, greeting the waharoa in Aotea Square, by celebrated artist Selwyn Murupaenga. This area carries the historic ngā tapuwae o ngā mana o te whenua, who thrived in this space for hundreds of years. Turama Kaitiaki. Manu Korokī will be next. Inspired by the works of revered ringa whao Fred Graham, flocks of manu take flight on opposite sides of Queen St with an accompanying audio track mimicking their birdsong. Kāhu Kōrako will be visible high in the crosswires, representing an older kāhu whose plumage has lost the dark colouring of youth and whose feathers have turned grey. Lights, music, and more are on offer in Auckland this Matariki. Photo / Auckland Council Turn left into the historic Strand Arcade, and Taurima will shine among the trees on Elliot St. With symbolism of pātaka kai suspended above the street in quirky fluoro-neon art created by Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine), Rudi Robinson-Cole (Waikato, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Pāoa, Te Arawa), Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Koroki, Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta), and Angus Muir Design, you will be immersed in the history of this space and place. Taurima. Photo / Jay Farnwoth Heading back to Queen St along Victoria St, look back along this unique viewshaft to the Sky Tower and you will see a bespoke Māori art projected on to the city's biggest canvas. While walking towards the harbour, a Kawau Tikitiki will be suspended in flight above the street, acknowledging this bird's revered constancy of purpose, resolute nature and speed of action. Upon reaching the original foreshore between Shortland and Fort Sts, participants will walk beneath the majestic Te Wehenga, where illuminated imagery will evolve from whenua to moana. The role of waharoa in Māori architectural tradition marks the junction of realms, a transition point where something changes; where you will feel you are leaving something behind and progressing into something new. Tūrama was created by Graham Tipene, Ataahua Papa and Angus Muir Design, with support from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate. Tūrama Te Wehenga. Photo / Jay Farnworth Step 3: Tūhono The downtown section of the Matariki light trail begins at Te Komititanga, the square that features permanent works of whāriki where Queen St meets the sea. Tūhono is an all-new trail of light installations and lightboxes linking Te Kōmititanga along Galway St to Takutai Square and Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park. Artist Arama Tamariki-Enua – Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Tumu-te-Varovaro (Rarotonga), Ara'ura (Aitutaki) – has blended tradition with contemporary design. He invigorates ancestral rhythms and motifs with modern arrangements of vibrant colours, introducing an immersive journey for all to experience. In Takutai Square, Tamariki-Enua worked with Angus Muir and Catherine Ellis on a light and sound installation using patterns that reference tukutuku panels and carving in Tumutumuwhena, with the repetition of the patterns forming the star-like shapes of the Matariki cluster. Matariki trails include light installations, kapa haka, and street markets in the city centre. An accompanying soundscape, developed in collaboration with Peter Hobbs, brings back sounds of the foreshore and forest before the modern city was founded. The works are projected on to Te Rou Kai, the public artwork made up of a pop-jet fountain and 16 sculptural stones by an older generation of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artists. Tamariki-Enua's creation encourages reflection on what is now and what was then. The Tūhono light projections in Takutai Square will play every evening from Thursday, June 19, to Thursday, July 10, with a seven-minute light and sound sequence every quarter-hour from 5pm until 10pm. Tūhono takes the form of a metaphoric waka, drawing a visual and spiritual line toward Takaparawhau, the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei ancestral stronghold where Tumutumuwhenua, their whare tupuna, proudly stands. Immerse yourself in modern mahi toi (art) and a lightshow within Takutai Square, stroll among the illuminated mature trees of Beach Rd, marvel at a 10-storey laser projection on to the Nesuto building and fun light designs within Te Tōangaroa, including Te Mātahi o te Tau by Tyrone Ohia and Angus Muir Design. Tūhono and these new downtown activations for Matariki are brought to Matariki ki te Manawa in the city centre by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Britomart Group, with support from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate. Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki – Matariki Festival Day Aucklanders can experience kapa haka, waiata, carving demonstrations, raranga (weaving) activations, kite making, stories, art and an insight into special waterways at the Botanic Gardens as part of Matariki Festival Day. Festivities will begin at 10am and last until 4pm. Auckland Transport has put on a free park and ride service for the festival. The main departure point will be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1185 Alfriston Rd, Alfriston. If the church carpark reaches capacity, additional parking is available directly across the road at Alfriston College, 540 Porchester Rd. Buses will run continuously on a loop between 9.45am and 4.45pm. The last bus to leave the garden will be at 4.45pm, and the garden gates will lock at 5.30pm.


Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Get Extra Close To The Stars This Matariki At The Sky Tower – Kids Are Free!
The Sky Tower will open in the pre-dawn morning over Matariki weekend to give customers a chance to see the Matariki cluster rising. From the Main Observation Deck, visitors will be pointed to the east where the Matariki constellation will rise over the horizon and all kids aged 14* and under will get in free all long weekend. 'A lot of us are keen to learn more about Matariki and we wanted to play our part by bringing the experience to the Sky Tower, where you can't get any closer to the stars in Tamaki Makaurau!" says SkyCity's Chief Operating Officer Callum Mallett. 'We have a few fun activities planned for tamariki and whānau throughout the day including helpful information on where to locate the stars, and much more.' The Sky Tower will also host a stunning laser light show by renowned Māori artists, Graham Tipene and duo Lissy & Rudi, projected onto the side of the tower, symbolising the community's dreams and aspirations rising to the stars. The laser display will feature flowing animated light that ascends up the tower, evoking the movement of wishes reaching the heavens, just as the star Hiwa-i-te-rangi is said to carry our hopes and desires to the sky. The tower will be bathed in pink lighting and adorned with feathers and koru projections, representing the themes of healing and connection central to Matariki.


NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
My Secret Auckland: Christy Tennent, chair of Karangahape Business Association, shares her favourite spots in the city
Bestie in St Kevins Arcade is my go-to, and Coffee Pen in Eden Terrace is close to home and an absolute delight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bestie Cafe (@bestie_cafe) Favourite restaurant for dinner with friends? Anywhere on K Rd! You really can't go wrong, we're lucky enough to have a multitude of global cuisines all on one street. From Italy to Malaysia to Lebanon to Spain, who knew travelling could be so easy! Open Late for a drink in the sunny courtyard, and then on to… View this post on Instagram A post shared by Open Late (@weareopenlate_) Favourite spot to finish a night out? …Achos for a beer, A Space for a cocktail, Tappo for a wine, then to Goblin for great music and vibes to round off the night. Favourite place to get coffee? Obviously, most days start with a cup of joe at Open Coffee, catching up with all our regulars and the local K Rd community. On days off, I love seeing all the other fabulous owner-operators at their spots around the city - so spoilt for choice! Favourite beach? As I'm a real city gal, my favourite beach is the new swimming hole in Wynyard Quarter (aka cheeseburger). The council have done a great job at creating an inner city swimming pool for all to enjoy. Favourite fast-food joint? Has to be the regal White Lady on K Rd - Scott and Zia make the best burgers and shakes! They're open very late and their Hawaiian cheeseburger slaps! Favourite trail for a hike? Advertisement Advertise with NZME. I'm not much of a hiker, but I do love hiking through the city. One fav is strolling K Rd, heading through St Kevins Arcade and down into Myers Park. Graham Tipene's wonderful artwork under the bridge at the bottom of the park speaks to Waihorotiu, the river/awa that still flows under the park and down under Queen St. Once you pass through this artwork you'll arrive at the Basement Theatre - perfect for a drink and a show! Favourite venue for a gig? Most music I see at the brilliant new addition to K Rd, Double Whammy, downstairs in St Kevin's Arcade. Neck of the Woods also has amazing gigs and dancing. The Powerstation always delivers, and the Hollywood in Avondale is magic too. Favourite place to find a bargain?