Puanga ki Matariki

Hutt City Council invites you to the first Puanga ki Matariki 2022 celebrations right here in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai, Lower Hutt. Join us for a free afternoon of whānau fun, arts, education, activities, and performances with special guests Tomorrow People.

Matariki is both the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster and of the celebration of its rising which signals the start of a new year in the Māori lunar calendar. The first holiday to celebrate Matariki in Aotearoa – also the first public holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori – will be on Friday 24 June 2022.

Each iwi celebrates this time of year differently; some of our Mana Whenua partners celebrate Puanga (also known as Rigel), as the Matariki cluster is hard to see from some parts of our city.

Hutt City Council is proud to present Puanga ki Matariki 2022, a programme of activities and events that allows our community to join in celebrations. There are a range of free activities and events for all ages, at different locations across Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt throughout the month – so pack up the whānau and come join us. We look forward to seeing you there!