Things to do  |  27 Jun 2024

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Celebrate Puaka-Matariki in Ōtautahi Christchurch with a variety of events over the long weekend.

Takapūneke Reserve planting

Head along to the Takapūneke Reserve on Friday from 12.30 – 3pm for a Matariki day planting. This is the latest step as part of our master plan to landscape the reserve, which is a very important historic site for all Aotearoa. You can also enjoy the sausage sizzle and cuppa our rangers are putting on at 3pm – because the site is wāhi tapu, we cannot eat onsite. Water bottles are OK.

Please bring friends, family, sturdy closed footwear and a spade, and meet at the Stanley Place entrance. For more information please contact Paul Devlin, our Head Ranger Port Hills and Banks Peninsula. Organised with Onuku Marae.

To learn more about the story of Takapūneke and the long journey for the site to gain due recognition as a place of cultural and historical significance, check out the exhibition at Akaroa Museum. He Ara Roimata ki te Anamata - Takapūneke, our journey, our survivance can be viewed until November. More on the story here.

Matariki at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre

Let creativity be a guiding star this Matariki with a variety of events at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre. Work with harakeke and create a whetū (star), enjoy a taster of Kapa Haka, take a look at the Te Waiatatanga Mai o te Atua The Song of the Gods exhibition, and more.

Enjoy an evening under the starts at the Matariki Mākete on Thursday or Friday with local artisans, live performances and a variety of food trucks. View all Matariki events on at The Arts Centre here.

Tīrama Mai – powered by Orion and Connetics

Tīrama Mai is back this winter to celebrate Puaka-Matariki in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch. The free, cultural festival brings together an array of artistic, lighting and cultural displays, including performances and storytelling.

Come into the city with friends and whānau to discover the trail of illuminated artworks, projections, music soundscapes and interactive installations. Tīrama Mai will feature a combo of all-new works and crowd-pleasers from the last couple of years. The winter event is on each evening until 30 June, 5 – 10pm.

Matariki in the Zone

Mark Matariki at the Richmond Community Garden on Saturday, in collaboration with Avebury House and Avon-Ōtākaro Network. There will be activities for kids big and small – wood carving, flax wearing, marshmallow toasting and more.

A hāngi will be raised at 4.30pm and served alongside a boil up. Head down to the garden at 325 River Road, Richmond, from 2.30 – 6.30pm Sunday. More information here.

Matariki Weekend at Riverside

As the Matariki star cluster illuminates our night sky, join at Riverside Market for a weekend filled with joy, culture, and community spirit. Explore the light display across town and check out a special appearance outside Riverside. Engage with interactive installations, unleash your creativity and listen to live music.

Make your way down to Riverside to celebrate the Māori New Year together from Friday to Monday. Find more information here.

 

Other events around Christchurch this weekend

Christchurch Charter Parade

Christchurch will host a Freedom of the City parade for 2/1 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR) on Friday at 1pm in Cathedral Square. 2/1 RNZIR is one of three regular army combat units and is based in Burnham Camp. They are commemorating the battalion’s 50th birthday and as part of this commemoration will exercise their freedom of the city of Christchurch that was granted to them in 1999. 

The battalion will march through the streets from Victoria Square to Cathedral Square. Prior to entering Cathedral Square, they will be “challenged” by a police officer then will continue into the Square. Mayor Phil Mauger will review the parade and Council’s Chief Executive will read out the charter before presenting it to the Battalion. Once this part of the parade has concluded they will continue their march through the streets back to the Town Hall.

Sunday Maker’s Market

Explore locally made goods from artisan crafters at the Sunday Maker’s Market from 10am – 3pm Sunday. Head along to the market in the central city – at the corner of Montreal Street and Worcester Boulevard.

The market is on each Sunday, with food vendors as well as crafts available.

Strangers – Improv comedy

Come along to The Piano on Friday evening for the improv comedy show that explores the moment when two strangers meet. It may be a fleeting moment of connection, the start of a whirlwind romance, or the beginning of a deadly rivalry.

Tickets are available from $10 for the unscripted show, which will be on from 7.30 – 8.30pm. Find more information here.