What’s on: Matariki in Ōtautahi Christchurch

It’s our first run at a brand new public holiday, celebrating a long tradition in te o Māori. Here area few of the ways Ōtautahi is celebrating.

Winter Solstice pre-Matariki Night Light Bike Ride

A family-friendly evening ride around North Hagley Park. Bling out your bike, helmet and yourselves with as many lights as you can and join the ride.

Mickle Gates entrance, Hagley Park
Tuesday 21 June
ccc.govt.nz

Matariki Wā Kōrero – Storytimes

Just one of the great offerings our libraries are putting on. Each Christchurch City Library will have at least one of these events for pre-schoolers, featuring a variety of Matariki-themed stories, songs and rhymes.

Your local library
Until Thursday 30 June
christchurchcitylibraries.com

Seeking/Ararapu Matariki in the Zone

Head to Avebury House and the Richmond Community Garden to trace the path of the Matariki star cluster in the Red Zone. As night falls, ‘star stations’ will light up creating a 700m circuit star path to follow around the community garden area,

Richmond Community Garden
Until Thursday 30 June
richmondcommunitygarden.co.nz

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre events

A series of events celebrating Matariki 2022 and some amazing local artists, with exhibitions, films, do-it-yourself workshops and educational shows.

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
Until Saturday 9 July
artscentre.org.nz

The Secret Lives of Stars

Associate Professor Karen Pollard, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, College of Science, University of Canterbury, takes you on a journey to understand the evolution of stars in our galaxy, from their birth to their (sometimes explosive) demise.

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
Wednesday 22 June
artscentre.org.nz

The Lion King Reo Māori

The original animated Disney film, Te Kīngi Raiona, voiced by a talented cast of te reo Māori voice actors, including Tuterangi Ruha as young Simba, Mataara Stokes as mature Simba, Te Haakura Ihimaera-Manley as young Nala, and Arihia Cassidy as mature Nala.

Lumière Cinemas
Thursday 23 June – Thursday 7 July
lumierecinemas.co.nz

The Garden City Matariki Night Mākete

Food, drinks, a gorgeous light show, and chance to support Māori artists and craftspeople, as well as over 70 local stallholders. This year’s mākete is in a brand new location.

Milton St Substation
Friday 24 June
eventfinda.co.nz

Te Tau Hou - Matariki 2022

A spectacular presented by the Christchurch Circus Trust and Ngā Toi o te Rangi cultural group. Te Tau Hou showcases the life of young Tama, on a journey of discovery into the wonder of Matariki. Tama meets the cluster of stars and unravels the identity and majesty of each.

Roy Stokes Community Hall
Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June
eventfinda.co.nz

Tīrama Mai

This is Christchurch City Council’s headline Matariki and winter event – lighting up Cathedral Square and surrounding areas through innovative and artistic installations from local creative and artists. There will also be performances both weeks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cathedral Square
Friday 24 June – Sunday 3 July
ccc.govt.nz

Winter Fireworks Spectacular

Not technically a part of the Matariki celebrations, but still promising to be a great evening out. It gets dark early, allowing fireworks to kick off around 7pm – great for families.

New Brighton Pier
Saturday 9 July
ccc.govt.nz

Matariki Glow Show

A giant-scale puppet show for tamariki, educators and whānau. The Glow Show’s magical glow-in-the-dark characters are big and bold, presented with great music. This is an upbeat show that ‘edu-tains’ and engages the audience over 50 minutes with patai (Q and A) afterwards. There’s also a shorter show for younger children.

Isaac Theatre Royal
Friday 8 July
glowshow.co.nz