Nelson City Council is hosting the Matariki Festival, Te Huihui-o-Matariki 2022 in collaboration with Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui Māori Culture Council and Te Tauihu Māori Business Network.

The event will commence at 5.00 pm with a Mākete Pō (night market) and waka ama (outrigger canoes) along the Maitai River, Rutherford Park.

There will be a variety of stalls on-site offering a diverse range of food and refreshments, as well as Māori arts and crafts for sale.

This year’s entertainment will feature local kapa haka, Pasifika groups and a performance by special guest Ria Hall (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato).

There will be various light art displays at Rutherford Park after dusk and the evening will conclude with a firework display at 8:00 pm. The fireworks can be viewed from the surrounding area.

Please ensure that you take care on the roads and when parking your vehicle.

Read the 12 May 2022 Media release here.