Everyone is invited to these free events to celebrate the new year at Britomart. Come along with friends and whānau to enjoy an installation of beautiful artwork, a contemporary dance performance and some incredible student kapa haka.
We're welcoming the new year at Britomart with artwork acknowledging each of the stars in the Matariki cluster, and a range of free performances. Read on to find out what's on.
Kua Tīrama!
An artwork by Robyn Pryor (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe) and Hāmiora Bailey (Ngāti Huarere, Ngāti Porou Ki Harataunga) that ranges across Britomart’s Pavilion Panels on Galway Street and Te Ara Tahuhu, and through the Atrium on Takutai, featuring representations of each star in the Matariki cluster.
Meaning "it's lit!," Kua Tīrama as a work demonstrates the learning and teaching between Whaea (Aunty) and Iramutu (Nephew) as they exchange skills. Through making this work, Hāmiora taught Whaea Robyn simple digital design techniques in Adobe Illustrator, and Whaea Robyn taught Hāmiora unique ways to honour the Atua of Matariki in Te Reo Māori.
The work is comprised of nine panels, one for each star of Matariki, and corresponding affirmations for those who look towards them.
The work received its name from a kōrero given by Haoro Hond (Taranaki, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Te Āti Awa, Ngai Tāmanuhiri):
Kua tīrama ngā wherokiroki o Matariki, ka mātike tū ki te rangi.
(The light of Matariki has been dispersed in the sky, it shines bright [for you])
On display from late June until early August, Atrium on Takutai and Pavilion Panels on Te Ara Tahuhu and Galway Street. Free. Viewable anytime, as the works are in Britomart’s public spaces. Accompanying brochures featuring each of the works in the series are free to take away. To learn more about what this work means for the artists, read our interview with Hāmiora Bailey and Robyn Pryor.
Matariki with The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC)
In this special Matariki event, The New Zealand Dance Company brings a free performance to Takutai Square by dancer and choreographer Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa). The performance showcases excerpts from a longer work featuring the journey of a group of friends throughout Aotearoa during the Matariki season – an annual custom that honours ongoing relationships to place and each other.
This band of players discovers the landscape of lush ngahere (forests), mighty maunga (mountains), and majestic moana (oceans), while encountering flora and fauna through the seasonal change. Along the way, the wairua (spirit) of each of the nine whetū (stars) of Matariki also inhabit the performers, who through their adventures use the power and meaning of karakia (prayer), waiata (song) and whakapapa (lineage) to reflect and plant the seeds of new beginnings generating fun and hope for the future ahead.
Thursday 27 June, 12pm, Takutai Square
Kapa haka in Takutai Square
Free kapa haka performances by leading high school groups in Takutai Square.
Te Kapunga, James Cook High School.
This accomplished high school group of performers returns to Takutai Square.
Thursday 4 July, 12.15pm and 1.15pm, Takutai Square
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae.
The nationally recognised kapa haka group brings their magic to Britomart.
Friday 5 July, 12.15pm and 1.15pm, Takutai Square
