Matariki Festival delights
21/07/2020 3:42pm
This year’s Matariki Festival opened with a livestreamed karakia from Harvey Ruru and mihi from Shane Graham followed by speeches from Mayor Rachel Reese and Mayor Tim King.
Te Kapa o Kura Tai Waka provided a beautiful performance to accompany the speeches.
Images of Matariki were beamed onto Civic House in the form of a light art projection, which included recognition of the work by Civil Defence staff, essential workers and the community during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Rounding off the night, children brought lanterns, torches and lamps to Akersten Street as the fireworks display from Neale Park shimmered on the water across the Maitai/Maitahi inlet.
Special thanks to Te Puni Kokiri and Pomeroy’s Coffee Tea Company for their support.
The Matariki Festival was the first event in the new Ngā Toi Huatau – The Seasonal Arts events calendar.
Go to the Nelson City Council Facebook page for Nelson Matariki footage.
