Auckland's Matariki festival this year highlights indigenous art

Auckland's Matariki ki te Manawa festival is expected to grow further this year, following the establishment of Matariki as a public holiday in 2022.

Auckland Council's Matariki ki te Manawa lead Eric Ngan says the fesitval is continuing to expand. "More organisations and businesses are getting in on the programme as well.”

Ngan says the Māori and Pasifika communities have responded “very positively” to Matariki ki te Manawa.

“The acknowledgement that the festival became a national holiday [and] the indigenous festival being recognised means they can see themselves being reflected in a concrete way.”

The Matariki ki te Manawa festival, presented by Auckland Council and iwi Ngāti Tamaoho, will take place across the city from June 15 to June 30, 2024.

The upcoming festival features more than 90 events, a significant increase from the 25 in 2022.

Although Matariki has been celebrated for centuries, June 2024 marks the third celebration of the Māori lunar new year as a public holiday.

One of its events includes a three-day street dance festival titled Ko Au, performed by the Projekt Team at Basement Theatre.

Basement Theatre says it has noticed an increase in attraction and engagement for Matariki season shows since the Māori new year was recognised as a public holiday in 2022.

“We’ve noticed much more support from funders and pick-up from media since Matariki was recognised as a public holiday, we love to see the city centre embracing this important time in the Māori calendar and what it brings to Tāmaki Makaurau,” says a statement from the theatre.

A full-time dancer at Projekt Team dance company, John Vaifale, says that performing during the Matariki ki te manawa festival is an “honour”.

“I may not be of tanagta whenua descent but it’s definitely an honour to be able to tell my story and be given an opportunity to tell my family and friends' stories this season.”

Vaifale says over the years he’s seen an increase in indigenous and Pasifika artists, and he’s most looking forward to seeing other artists at the festival.

“I’m excited to see other artists and see what else is going on. We know we’re all performing for the same reason and I’m looking forward to sharing the space and networking with other indigenous artists.”

However, the 2024 budget, presented by Finance Minister Nicola Willis on May 30, announced a 45 per cent reduction in funding for Matariki public holiday activities, cutting $3 million a year.

The new budget will likely result in fewer public events nationwide and reduced visibility of kaupapa celebrating the occasion.

Although the budget comes as “disappointing news”, Projekt Team’s choreographer, Sheldon Rua, acknowledges that challenges are what push them forward.

Rua says he’s looking forward to festival-goers seeing Ko Au.

“This is our life, these are our stories. We have a diverse cast . . . in terms of culture and dance ability and ag. There’s something in the show for everyone to see themselves in.

“I’m excited to hear what the audience has to say about it,” Rua says.

Watch here: Projekt Team dancers on performing Ko Au for Matariki ki te Manawa.