A contemporary, multi-dimensional Matariki experience is set to educate and inspire Aucklanders from 2-10 July.
The nine-day programme will see the installation ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki’ (‘The Eyes of God’), created by Angus Muir, illuminate Market Square in the heart of Viaduct Harbour. The full-scale installation will bring the stars from the Matariki cluster to life, expressed through colour and moving depictions on the ceiling of the installation. Observers can look above to see the immersive experience and capture a moment of solace.
In conjunction with the Angus Muir installation, Viaduct Harbour restaurants will also present Matariki-inspired menu offerings for diners to enjoy across the precinct, including:
- Saint Alice’s executive chef Maia Atvars (Ngāi Te Rangi) has created three special menu items that include a hangi pork sando with kumara mayo and pickled radish; trevally sashimi with cultured cream and kawakawa and a mocktail made with Wai Mānuka honey sparkling water and kiwifruit.
- Parasol & Swing will serve up kumara skins with NZ goat cheese, honeycomb and foraged herbs along with bacon bone croquettes with smoked and breaded pork bones served in a kumara foam with truffle oil.
- Oyster & Chop has created a menu based around waitā (bounty of the sea) featuring oyster beignet, grilled scampi, smoked hapuka, pipis, mussel fritter, saffron pickled fennel & aromatic fish broth.
The Matariki celebrations will kick off at Market Square with a dawn ceremony led by host iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on Friday 2 July from 7am.
“Angus Muir’s light structure ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki’ celebrates each star within the cluster and highlights its relationship to our everyday life. The immersive, full-scale light installation will represent Matariki through movements of colour and sound on a canopy of light, encouraging observers to mirror the motion of looking up at Matariki in the night sky.”
“We hope this inaugural event at Viaduct Harbour inspires, educates and excites Aucklanders and tourists to discover and participate in Matariki celebrations, especially leading up to Matariki becoming a public holiday in 2022” says Tuhirangi Blair, of iwi partner Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Creative Director of the event.
For more information, visit www.viaduct.co.nz.
