Matariki Puanga

We’ll be celebrating the Māori new year with a Matariki Puanga festival at our awa (river) pathway.

Join us on Saturday 10 July for a light show, kai, kapa haka, Māori storytelling and performances.

The celebration is being held along from the Albert Street entrance of the Manawatū River, at the star path from 4pm -7pm.

Matariki is a cluster of stars known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. The first new moon following the rise of Matariki is the first day of the Māori New Year. Matariki can be hard to see from Manawatū so some Māori instead give prominence to Puanga, another prominent star near Matariki.

This year you’ll be treated to a light show projected onto the cliff face opposite the festival.

The festival can be accessed from the Fitzherbert bridge or Albert Street walkway entrances. If you enter from the Fitzherbert bridge end, you’ll need to walk east down the walkway towards the Manawatū Golf Club. When entering from the Albert Street entrance, you’ll need to walk west, towards the Fitzherbert bridge.

Please wear gumboots or sneakers as it may be muddy and bring a torch, and blankets to sit on.