Long, cold winter nights may seem like the perfect time to stay indoors, but that’s also when our southern skies really shine, so Otago Museum invites you to bundle up and join us outside to celebrate Puaka Matariki!
For two evenings, we’ll open up Lab-in-a-Box on the Museum Reserve to share our favourite astronomical stories, stargaze, and deliver hands-on demonstrations about the science of starlight.
In partnership with the Dodd-Walls Centre
5:30pm – 8pm, Friday 17 – Saturday 18 July
Museum Reserve (Hutton Theatre if inclement weather)
Planetarium Show
Celebrate the Puaka Matariki Festival with a visit to the Perpetual Guardian Planetarium for the film Light of the Stars: Mārama ā-Whetū, which explores Māori sky lore, myths and legends relating to the southern night sky.
The show is narrated in English and tells the story of the Polynesian explorers who navigated across the ocean to Aotearoa New Zealand, highlighting New Zealand’s most significant astronomical features.
Restricted to ages 3 and up.
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
10.30am daily, Monday 13 – Sunday 19 July
Perpetual Guardian Planetarium
Adults $12, Children $7
This year Dunedin Public Libraries – Kā Kete Wānaka o Ōtepoti is celebrating the start of the Māori New Year with Puaka on Sunday 12th July, then Matariki from Monday 13th – Monday 20th July.
Puaka Matariki is a time for us to reflect on life, the physical world, remember the past and our hopes for the future.
Join us daily on our website and Facebook page as we examine a different star in the Matariki cluster and what significance it has for us in our work in the library.
🌐 Website 👍 Facebook
Ngā Whetū:
| 1. Puaka 12 July | Kia manawanui – Be steadfast |
| 2. Matariki 13 July | Whakarāmemene – Come together |
| 3. Pōhutukawa 14 July | Maumahara – Remember |
| 4. Waitī 15 July | He reo waitī – Harmony |
| 5. Waitā 16 July | Ngākau whakaute – Respect |
| 6. Waipuna-ā-raki 17 July | Whaiwhakaaro – Reflect |
| 7. Tupuānuku & Tupuāraki 18 July | Hauhake – Harvest |
| 8. Ururaki 19 July | Tā te manawa – Breathe |
| 9. Hiwa-i-te-raki 20 July | Tūmanako – Hope |
Puaka Matariki is a time for celebration, reflection, sharing knowledge, and preparing the soil for the next harvest.
This colder time is also a great excuse to come to the Makerspace tables and get crafting. Get creative making your own Puaka Planisphere greeting card and a super cool Twirly Whirly.
These self-guided, family-friendly activities are a great way to spend an hour, or three!
All day, Monday 6 – Friday 17 July
Atrium Level 1
Puaka Matariki is a time for celebration, reflection, sharing knowledge, and preparing the soil for the next harvest. This colder time is a great excuse to explore the Museum, wander the galleries, and discover something new.
Otago Museum gallery trails are a perfect day out during long school holidays. Take your favourite small person on a hunt through the Museum and follow the clues to collect your reward!
Daily, Saturday 4 – Sunday 19 July
Collect your free trail from the Otago Museum Info Desk
Curated by Jesse-James Pickery (Ngā Puhi) and Māia Abraham (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāi Tūhoe), UKU // UTU is a period of wānaka and of exhibition. Investigating uku (clay) as a visual arts medium and giver of life, artists, guests and visitors will collaborate over six weeks of public events that reimagine the structure and function of exhibition making and presentation within a contemporary experimental framework.
To learn more about UKU // UTU, the curators, collaborators and events, visit blueoyster.org.nz
Te Tio Kikorangi Blue Oyster Art Project Space, 16 Dowling Street, Dunedin
Wednesday 17 July – Saturday 24 August. FREE
Contact director@blueoyster.org.nz 03 479 0197 blueoyster.org.nz
Artists involved in the project join Catherine Cocker, the curator of this event, which is happening in various places around Dunedin City. Featuring Layne Waerea (Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), creator of the Rear Window work Māori Lane. All welcome.
Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 30 The Octagon, Dunedin
Monday 8 July, 12.30–1.30pm. FREE
Contact lcullen@dcc.govt.nz 03 474 3249 dunedin.art.museum
Check out our galleries for inspiration then get stuck into a Matariki-inspired activity at the Makerspace tables.
Atrium Level 1, Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin
Monday 8 July to Friday 12 July, 10am – 5pm. FREE
Contact 03 474 7474 otagomuseum.nz
