Nelson City Council is hosting Te Huihui-o-Matariki 2025 in collaboration with Ngā Iwi e Waru o Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui and Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui Māori Culture Council.

This year's event will include Taku Kara Tīpuna, the regional secondary school kapa haka competition hosted by Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui Māori Culture Council.

Live performances include acclaimed soul and R&B artist Louis Baker, rising star Imani-J, local primary school kapa haka finalists Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tuia Te Matangi and Te Pītau Whakarei.

The evening’s entertainment will include a drone show designed by Ngā Iwi e Waru o Te Tauihu-o-Te Waka-a-Māui. The drone show tells the story of Matariki using 50 drones. The show will be on display from 6.00pm.

The Matariki market will be open from 11am – 9pm, offering a diverse range of food as well as arts and crafts for sale. Bring your own plates, cutlery, drink bottle and reusable bags to reduce waste.

Event details
Koha - Gold coin entry
Please bring cash. There will be no access to cash withdrawals onsite and limited access for eftpos transactions at the market.

Getting there
Traffic will be busy in the city, so please consider carpooling, taking the bus, cycling or walking to the event.

Please note, the Trafalgar Centre carpark will be closed to the public due to the high volume of pedestrians in the area.

Parking will be available at Wakatu Square, Millers Acre, and Trafalgar Park. Please drive carefully on the night, and watch for pedestrians and cyclists.

For those taking the eBus
The buses will be running on the Public Holiday timetable. The final return departure times for Routes 1 - 4 from the Nelson City Interchange on Friday 20 June are as follows:

Route 1: final departure at 7:25pm
Route 2: final departure at 7:10pm
Route 3: final departure at 7:02pm
Route 4: final departure at 6:15pm
Routes 5 & 6 will not be operating. The Late Late bus will run to its usual schedule.