Southland is buzzing with community events across the region, in the lead up to the first Matariki public holiday this Friday.

ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill is hosting an immersive ‘Matariki Experience’, which is open until tomorrow evening. 

The show has been created in partnership with the Tūrama Trust and aims to be both fun and educational. 

“We’ve created a visual and interactive light and sound experience,” says ILT Stadium Southland programmes and events manager Josephine Shepard.

“But we wanted to ensure that it was also an educational event and was teaching people why Matariki is important to all New Zealanders.”

“Working alongside the Tūrama Trust was important to ensure that we had the right tikanga and the right kaupapa for Matariki.” 

Shepard says the event includes artworks by local children and community members, and a retelling of the Māori Matariki story. 

She says engagement from the public has exceeded their expectations. 

“We’ve already had about 200 school children though, and the engagement on social media has been incredible. It’s been shared dozens of times.”

“It’s been even more successful than we thought it would be.”

Shepard says she is impressed by the number of Matariki events she has seen advertised throughout Southland. 

“In general, we have created an incredible array of events that celebrate and educate people. It’s something to be really proud of.” 

In Te Anau, Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust (NKMP) have partnered with Fiordland Community House and the Department of Conservation (DOC) for an evening of kai and education for the local community. 

NKMP Whānau Ora Navigator Sagar Khemani says the evening will incorporate gathering together, reflecting on the past year and looking to the future – all important elements of Matariki.

“The evening will have a nature element, given our geographical location, and there will also be a talk on the importance on Matariki to te ao Māori.”

Khemani says the gathering will feature eating foods from the earth, air, freshwater, and ocean, to honour the Matariki stars that relate to those elements. 

Also included is a guided night-time walk on the Kepler Track with DOC rangers.

He says the event has been extremely popular, selling out within 24 hours of being advertised. 

“It’s a great thing for families to do, and it also shows that all across Aotearoa, people are embracing Matariki and its significance to us.”

Riverton is also playing host to a series of events celebrating Matariki, including a mid-winter swim, a Matariki-themes scavenger hunt, and a market day this weekend.

Bluff is also celebrating, with a craft market, and a series of events to be held at Te Rau Aroha Marae including light displays, cultural activities and a Matariki feast.