Horowhenua comes together to celebrate Puanga and Matariki

Published on June 04, 2026

Nau mai, haere mai ki te whakanui i a Puanga rāua ko Matariki.   

Horowhenua is set to mark the Māori New Year with a vibrant programme of events bringing together reflection, remembrance and community connection.  

A series of free events will take place across the district, delivered by Horowhenua District Council in partnership with local iwi and hapū, offering opportunities for people to come together in ways that are meaningful to them.  

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the season is an important time for communities across the district.  

“Matariki and Puanga give us a chance to pause and reflect - to remember those who have passed, spend time with whānau and look ahead with a sense of hope. In Horowhenua, we are fortunate to be able to work closely with our iwi and hapū partners across the district to deliver a programme that brings people together in many different ways, from quiet moments of reflection through to shared celebrations.”  

Di Rump, Chief Executive for Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, says “For Muaūpoko, Matariki is deeply connected to our whenua and our people. “Matariki hunga nui” Matariki of many people. It’s a time to honour those connections and to come together as a community, sharing in reflection, remembrance and renewal.”   

Shane Royal, Chair of Te Tūmatakahuki, reflects on the significance of Matariki as a sacred time that weaves together whakapapa, memory, and aspiration. “Ka rere a Matariki, ka rere anō ā tātou wawata mō te tau e tū mai nei” speaks to the rising of the Matariki cluster as a tohu that calls us to pause, to remember, and to realign ourselves. It is a time to honour those who have journeyed beyond the veil, acknowledging their enduring presence within our whakapapa, while also giving space to collective dreaming and intention-setting for the future. In this way, Matariki embodies a distinctly Māori worldview, one where the rhythms of the natural world are inseparable from human experience. The movement of the stars is not distant or abstract; it is intimately connected to our identity, our responsibilities, and our hopes. Through Matariki, we are reminded that looking to the past and planning for the future are not separate acts, but part of a continuous, intergenerational flow that binds people, whenua, and the cosmos together.”  

Robert Ketu, spokesperson for Ngāti Whakatere, comments “As we welcome the tohu of Puanga Matariki, all creation is influenced by the patterns of the seasons. From the tuna migrations in Autumn to the time when the whenua sleeps during the Winter, it then greets the Spring with new growth and replenishment. Ka hoki mai ki tuturu. We invite you to join us for Matariki Ki Otāuru: A day of culture, celebration, kai, and whakawhanaungatanga. Local performances, kids entertainment, food stalls and craft stalls.”  

This year’s programme includes a mix of cultural, community and whānau-friendly events across the district.  

Highlights include:  

• Kapahaka Hapori Kai Night | Wednesday 1 July, 5pm to 7pm, Waiopehu College Auditorium
  A celebration of kapahaka in Taitoko, featuring local tamariki and rangatahi, and in honour of Matariki, kai will be available to take home following the performances.   

• Lights over Te Awahou | Saturday 4 July, 5pm to 8pm, Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park
  An evening of lights, music and kai celebrating the arrival of Puanga.   

• Puna Kaukau - Mid-Winter River Swim | Sunday 5 July, from 5.45am, Gladstone Reserve
  A chance to honour the awa and welcome the new year.   

• Matariki Kaumātua Day Out | Wednesday 8 July, 10am to 2pm
  A day of connection and celebration for older members of the community.   

• Te Putanga mai o Matariki – Hautapu Ceremony | Thursday 9 July, 5.30am
  Kohuturoa Marae A dawn ceremony led by Muaūpoko, grounded in remembrance and renewal.   

• Matariki ki Otāuru | Friday 10 July, 10am to 2pm, Te Maire Park, Shannon
  Mark the Matariki public holiday in Otāuru and celebrate the Māori New Year with Ngāti Whakatere.  

• Taitoko Night Market | Saturday 11 July, 3pm to 7pm, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō and Levin Mall carpark
  A vibrant night market celebrating food, culture and community.   

Mayor Wanden says the programme reflects strong partnerships across the district.  “Alongside our iwi and hapū partners, I’d also like to acknowledge Electra for helping to make this year's event possible. These celebrations are grounded in Te Ao Māori and brought to life through collaboration with iwi, hapū and our wider community.  We encourage everyone to take part, learn something new, and connect in a way that feels meaningful to them.”  

For the full programme and event details, visit our Matariki event page.  

Follow Horowhenua District Council on Facebook for updates.