Ōtepoti Dunedin
Bring the whānau and be transported through the ages on a musical odyssey into the heart of Matariki! Ake Ake Theatre Company present a magical hour of music and storytelling followed by hot chocolate in the Great Hall at Olveston Historic Home.
Directed by Jessica Latton and featuring Sydney Manowitz on violin, Kerian Varaine on taoka puoro, Matua Olly Ohlson, and some very special guests. Nau mai, haere mai ki te whare Olveston!
Booking essential – contact [email protected]
Signal Hill Studios invite NEV locals to join this celestial celebration, beneath the little eyes of Matariki that herald the transition of the New Year. Celebrate the darkness coming into light with illuminations, music, poetry, storytelling and fabric printing.
Nau mai, piki mai! Cycle, walk, catch the bus up the hill and bring the whole whānau along.
Bring your own garment along to screen-print ✨
Toitū te marae a Tane-Mahuta, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, Toitū te takata.
Celebrate kaitiakitaka and the continuation of the Ōku Moana kaupapa! Join the curator and marine researchers involved in the Art + Ocean project to hear about this new outdoor poster exhibition that will be hitting the streets in Ōtepoti and Ōtautahi during the Puaka Matariki season, and enjoy light refreshments and music. Mauri ora!
Knox Church Herron Hall, 1st Floor, 453 George Street, Dunedin
Friday 5 July, 5.30pm. FREE
Contact [email protected] 027 473 9127 bit.ly/2Z8OIg1
Celebrate life, learning and togetherness! Come together to reflect on the past, share stories and make plans for the year ahead, remembering to respect and care for our natural world so that our future generations are able to enjoy it, in the way that we are able to.
Join the Bathgate Park School Arts Team in the school hall for karakia followed by an evening of kai and luminary local entertainment. Nau mai, haere mai!
Bathgate Park School, 213 Macandrew Road, South Dunedin
Thursday 4 July, 5.30‒9pm. Koha
Contact [email protected] 03 455 3421
The Dunedin City Council waiata group will share some of the songs they have been learning since 2002 when they were established as a Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) initiative by the Dunedin Public Library.
Toitū OSM Josephine Foyer, 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin
Tuesday 2 July, 11am. FREE
Contact 03 477 5052 toituosm.com
Experience the gift of Māori music! From contemporary to traditional, the Goddess of music Hineraukatauri will resonate through the performances that local musicians share in this special New Year concert.
Toitū OSM Josephine Foyer, 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin
Sunday 30 June, 1‒4pm. FREE
Contact 03 477 5052 toituosm.com
Alistair Fraser is a leading practitioner who has been working with and playing ngā taonga pūoro for over 18 years. His solo performances have gained wide acclaim and he has just completed his latest album. This concert will focus on some of his more recent work.
Toitū OSM Josephine Foyer, 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin
Saturday 29 June, 5pm. $15 each – bookings essential
Book at the Toitū reception desk or by telephone
Contact 03 477 5052 toituosm.com
Walk and talk with knowledgeable guides to learn about traditional uses of native plants displayed in the NZ native plant collection. Rua McCallum (Ngāi Tahu) will focus on plants used for the manufacture of textiles. Author Rob Tipa (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu) will look at some of the treasured taoka plants used in daily life by early Southern Māori. Musician Alistair Fraser will compare live plants with their final form as traditional Māori musical instruments. The Botanic Garden’s latest brochure, Treasured Plants Trail will also be launched.
Dunedin Botanic Garden, Opoho – location will be notified on booking
Saturday 29 June, 1.30‒3pm, rain or shine. FREE; limited places – registration essential
Contact [email protected] 03 477 4000
New name, new venue, but same āhuareka! Te Roopū Tautoko Ki Te Tonga is proud to again host the Puaka Matariki Festival’s longest burning star event. Grab the team, grab the guitar, and sing in the Māori New Year. Nau mai, haere mai, puoro mai te whānau o Araiteuru – everyone is welcome!
This is a smoke free and alcohol and drug free event.
Te Roopū Tauoko Ki Te Tonga, 6 Wolseley Street, Dunedin
Thursday 27 June, 6‒9.30pm. FREE
Contact [email protected] 027 555 5522
Creative Natives Aotearoa presents a stellar gathering of Māori artists, designers, creatives and entrepreneurs in the heart of the city. Join in this shining celebration of mahi toi, kai and kōrero and share the light of this season of wānaka and whanaukataka. Haumi e, Hui e, Taiki e!
Pīata Mai Festival is supported by Auahi Kore. 
Community Gallery, 20 Princes Street, Dunedin
Wednesday 26 June – Saturday 29 June, 10am – 4pm. Gold coin koha
Evening events from 6pm. $10 tickets from eventfinda.co.nz
Programme details on the website – piatamaifestival.co.nz
Contact [email protected] 0212097735 instagram.com/piatamaimatarikifestival