Celebrate Matariki on the Kāpiti Coast
Celebrate the Māori New Year on the Kāpiti Coast an exciting month-long programme of whānau-friendly events.
Matariki signals the Māori new year. It is a time for commemorating the passing of loved ways, for reflecting on the past year and making plans for the coming year. It is also a time for celebration!
Matariki Ramaroa is a three-week Arts Festival with music events, art exhibitions, the lighting of the Matariki beacon fires, tree planting, beach cleanups, Native Minds’ a series of thought leader conversations and the Matariki Ramaroa Street Party.
Presented by Māoriland Charitable Trust, the team behind Māoriland Film Festival and the Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki, Matariki Ramaroa inspires, educates and celebrates this unique Aotearoa event with all on the Kāpiti Coast.
Event Schedule:
1 July
Opening of Huakina Exhibition @ Toi Matarau, Māoriland Hub
NATIVE Minds: A series where Indigenous thinkers explore big issues and ideas
3 July
Matariki Ramaroa Fashion Runway Workshop
7 July
Māoriland Presents Mā - 9-piece band
8 July
Matariki Ramaroa Street Party - Ōtaki Main Street
● Food Trucks
● Light Sculptures
● Performances
● Fashion Show
● Talent Quest
● Blacklight Disco
9 July
Matariki Record Fair
10 - 13 July
Beach Clean Up & Tree Planting in:
● Paekākāriki
● Waitohu
● Raumati
● Waikanae
● Paraparaumu
14 July - Matariki Public Holiday
HORI Market, Ōtaki Beach
● Māori Art market, performances.
Matariki Twilight Miniature Trains, presented by Kāpiti Miniature Railway, Raumati
NATIVE Minds: Released online
Matariki Ramaroa Ahi - Ōtaki Beach
Matariki Ramaroa Ahi - Raumati
21 - 23 July
Matariki Stargazing Course, Te Horo
Matariki Stargazing and Amateur Astronomy Course On Kāpiti
Do you love gazing up at the night sky?
If you enjoy stargazing and want to learn how to identify constellations and planets, and learn more about Matariki, then this practical course led by some of New Zealand’s top astronomers, is for you.
Included in Māoriland's Matariki Ramaroa Festival Programme, this interactive course is for stargazing enthusiasts, aspiring amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, locals interested in Matariki, and anyone who wants to have fun navigating the night sky by telescope.
Absolutely no previous experience is required.
Make a weekend of it!
The Kāpiti Coast is the perfect place for a weekend break - turning your visit into something truly special!
Stay amongst the trees in a handcrafted cabin, listen to the waves as you sleep in a beachside bach or be daring with a night of glamping. You'll be astounded by the selection of lovely accommodation options including 5-star luxury lodges, hotels, motels and campgrounds and a huge number of high-quality peer-to-peer spaces (like Air BnBs) - with 500+ properties listed at any one time!