Matariki ki te Manawa returns to Auckland’s city centre this Matariki

As Tāmaki Makaurau comes together to celebrate Matariki, Matariki ki te Manawa returns to the city centre with illuminated art, storytelling, augmented reality and live performance inspired by the people, places and cultural narratives of the region.

Auckland Live’s Matariki ki te Manawa programme runs from 15 June to 21 July 2026 as part of Auckland Council Events’ Matariki Festival 2026. Through a series of experiences across streets, public spaces and the waterfront, it brings mana whenua, iwi and te ao Māori stories to life.

Tāmaki Makaurau has long been a gathering place for waka from many different shores. Matariki ki te Manawa draws on the spirit of Tāmaki herenga waka, herenga tangata to bring together the people and cultures of the city in celebration and reflection.

The programme connects various places across the city centre. Award-winning light installation Tūrama on Queen Street returns this year to civic spaces and the waterfront. Together, the five components of the trail remind us of the story of Waihorotiu, the ancient stream that flows beneath the city’s streets. Joined by Taurima in Elliott Street and Reo Haukura in Lorne Street outside the Central Library, the city is in for a fantastic light-filled experience.

Pou Auaha Creative Director Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta), who has led Matariki events in Tāmaki Makaurau for 10 years, says Matariki ki te Manawa is an opportunity for everyone to experience the city through the stories of te ao Māori.

“The city centre of Tāmaki Makaurau is a vibrant space with so much to share. We have curated inclusive illuminated storytelling experiences grounded in tikanga and mātauranga Māori, to share these stories with all the people and cultures within the city,” says Ataahua Papa.

The programme features a range of art works including light installations, photography, sculptures and light boxes by Graham Tipene, Ataahua Papa, Angus Muir Design, Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, alongside many other talented artists and storytellers.

Auckland Live Director Daniel Clarke says Matariki ki te Manawa creates opportunities for people to connect with the histories, creativity and cultural narratives of Tāmaki Makaurau.

“The programme invites people to see Tāmaki Makaurau through a uniquely Māori lens. Matariki ki te Manawa brings people together in shared public spaces to experience Māori storytelling, celebrate creativity and deepen their connection to the city and one another.”

Matariki ki te Manawa also includes a range of partner events and experiences taking place across central Auckland, including Karangahape Road, the city centre, waterfront and Britomart. Partner organisations include Auckland Libraries, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland Philharmonia, SkyCity, Basement Theatre, Q Theatre, Karangahape Business Association, Commercial Bay and Britomart. Please refer to the programme guide for a full list of partner events, dates and booking information.

Matariki ki te Manawa forms part of the region-wide Matariki Festival 2026, proudly presented by Ngāti Tamaoho in collaboration with Auckland Council Events. This is the third and final year of Ngāti Tamaoho as iwi manaaki of the Matariki Festival.

The wider Matariki Festival programme includes Ngā Reo o te Rangi: Voices of the Stars at Auckland Town Hall, the national Hautapu ceremony at Takaparawhau, hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the return of Vector Lights for Matariki on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and concludes with Te Kora Kora ki Waihorotiu at Shed 10 - a free all ages concert.

Ataahua Papa says there is also a range of exciting community-led pop-ups taking place throughout the festival and encourages people to explore the city centre and discover the stories woven throughout the programme.

“There is something for everyone at Matariki ki te Manawa regardless of your reo or Matariki knowledge. Follow the trails, discover the artworks and experience, and let the stories of this rohe guide your journey through the city,” adds Ataahua Papa.


Programme:

Matariki ki te Manawa
15 June - 21 July | Auckland city centre (various locations)
Free and open to all
Full programme and event information at: Matariki ki te Manawa

Tūrama
30 June – 19 July | Queen Street
The tāhūhū of Matariki ki te Manawa returns to Queen Street. This award-winning light installation by Graham Tipene, Ataahua Papa, and Angus Muir Design with Phil Wihongi traces the story of Waihorotiu, the historical waterway that flows beneath our feet, connecting past to present along the city’s busiest spine.

Taurima
11 June – 21 July | Elliott Street
Created by Lissy Robinson-Cole, Rudi Robinson-Cole, Ataahua Papa, and Angus Muir Design, Taurima honours the history of Elliott Street as a traditional māra kai, a source of sustenance for the whenua. The works take the form of a pātaka, celebrating that ancestral story of place and inspired by Wharenui Harikoa.

Mana Wahine
Ongoing | The Strand
Wiremu Barriball’s stylised moko kauae designs on flags with the Matariki colour palette celebrate the mana of wāhine during this powerful time of year. A vivid presence woven into the daily life of the city.

Reo Haukura
12 June – 21 July | Lorne Street
Originally commissioned for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, this work by Ataahua Papa and Angus Muir Design responds to the permanent sculpture outside the Central Library. Ko te reo kia rere, ko te reo kia tika, ko te reo kia Māori.

Rā
12 June – 21 July | Vulcan Lane
Commissioned in 2025, this work by Tyrone Ohia and Dr Riki Gooch with Angus Muir Design embraces the Māori name for the sun, bringing light and sound into the city centre to energise, spark joy, and ignite a sense of fire in the heart of Tāmaki.

Are Atoms Alive?
10 July – 2 August | Aotea Square
New for 2026, this large-scale installation by Storybox and Oculo journeys from distant galaxies to the depths of cells dividing in the human body, connecting Earth to the Matariki star realm through a seven-minute looped film projected across seven screens.

Arawhetū
30 June –19 July | Aotea Square through to Myers Park
Artist Kereama Taepa leads a team of 10 artists to connect past, present, and future with an augmented reality star trail stretching across the city. Different interpretations of the stars of the Matariki cluster and Puanga create an unforgettable, family-friendly experience for all ages.

Lightboxes — Nuku Collection
23 June – 19 July | Beresford Square
Wāhine from Qiane Matata-Sipu’s Nuku photographic collection are brought into the winter light through a series of lightboxes, linking Karangāhape Road to the city centre activations. In partnership with Karangahape Business Association.

Lightboxes — Tūhono
19 June – 19 July | Te Komititanga to Te Tōangaroa
Four cube lightboxes give insight into the creative talent responsible for the incredible works that form part of Tūhono, led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited through Major Events, extending the network of light-based storytelling across the city centre.

Matariki Taimoana
4 & 11 July | Silo Park
Matariki returns to Silo Park with two events celebrating local artists. The 4 July event marks the launch of Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge for Matariki 2026 with an evening of music and celebration. On 11 July, a day of family-friendly activity, music, and storytelling takes place alongside the installation of public artwork Whai by Janine Williams on the gantry. Presented in collaboration with AUDO, Fresh Concept and Auckland Council Public Art.

He Ara Hīkoi
8 July - 6pm, 11 July - 5pm, 17 July - 6pm, 19 July - 5pm | Te Tōangaroa to Aotea Square
Guided walking tours from Mahuhu-ki-te-rangi Park at Te Tōangaroa, up Queen Street to Aotea Square, visiting all installations and activations and bringing the stories of each work to life. Offered in both te reo Māori and English and programmed for weekday and weekend experiences.

ENDS