Two new winter festivals marking Matariki have received government backing with hopes they will become internationally significant.
Photo: Public Domain, ex NASA
The multi-day Matariki Mackenzie festival would be held in the Mackenzie District while the annual Feast Matariki would occur at various locations including marae across the lower South Island over two weeks.
Both festival successfully applied for funding from the government's Creative and Cultural Events Incubator that was run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Economic Development and Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the funding would lift the profile of Māori arts and culture associated with Matariki.
"As we prepare to welcome back international visitors and thousands of returning Kiwis, it is exciting to see new events develop to attract visitors, and give locals another reason to get out and enjoy their own backyard," Nash said.
Matariki Mackenzie would receive see funding of $100,000 that would go towards its governance structure and developing the event, and it could be eligible for future funding of up to $100,000 per year for two further years.
"Matariki Mackenzie is a brand new, multi-day event co-designed with local mana whenua. It will build on the Mackenzie region's status as the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve to celebrate the Māori New Year," Nash said.
Feast Matariki was in its third year as an annual, two-week food festival.
It was developed by Ngāi Tahu and Eat NZ, and was organised around marae-based events and wānanga.
"It connects original food stories of Aotearoa with local landscapes and people," Nash said.
"Feast Matariki will receive initial development funding of $75,000 and may also be eligible for further funding of up to $100,000 per year for two further years.
"Event organisers have a vision to develop the event into a nationwide celebration of food around Matariki."
Events have already been earmarked for Otakou/Otago Peninsula, Karitane, Moeraki and Arowhenua/Temuka, as well as Wairewa and Awarua, but more were expected.
He hoped the events would grow to become major events of international significance.
"Matariki Mackenzie and Feast Matariki will act as further draw cards for visitors to districts that have been hard hit by the absence of international visitors. There is already much to celebrate in these regions and Matariki festivals add a unique and special extra layer," Nash said.
Legislation to establish Matariki as a public holiday was currently going through Parliament.
Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Kiri Allan said she hoped Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill would pass into law soon.
"The inaugural Matariki public holiday on 24 June is an opportunity for people across Aotearoa New Zealand to celebrate together, and for Māori around the country to share their traditions, history and stories with the rest of Aotearoa," Allan said.
"Matariki will be our first public holiday that explicitly recognises te ao Māori."
