Matariki celebrations for families at Rotorua Museum
Rotorua Museum is celebrating Matariki this year with a wide range of fun and informative events. The star cluster Matariki (Pleiades) is seen rising in southern skies just before dawn in the last few days of May or the beginning of June every year. The day of the first new moon following the rising of Matariki signals the beginning of the Māori New Year, and a time for family and whānau to get together.
Starlab, an inflatable planetarium, will be at Rotorua Museum on Sunday 23 June 2013 enabling visitors to explore the stars of the southern hemisphere up close. Families can take this rare opportunity to learn about some of the most visible constellations in our southern skies, including the Matariki star cluster.
On Wednesday 26 June, Rotorua Museum is hosting two dynamic speakers for a free public talk in conjunction with Matariki Rotorua. Starting from 6pm, Dr Rangi Mātāmua (expert in Māori astronomy) and Michael Parish (Celtic Druid from the United Kingdom) will explore Matariki from diverse cultural perspectives.
The festivities conclude with two Matariki Whānau Nights on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 June. These fun family evenings start at 6pm and include interactive storytelling with the Travelling Tuataras, craft activities, star gazing with astronomer extraordinaire Elf Eldridge, Matariki movie screenings and lots more. Family-friendly refreshments will be available throughout the evenings.
Advance bookings are essential for Starlab and the Matariki Whānau Nights with tickets on sale now at Rotorua Museum reception. Starlab tickets $5 per seat (under 5s free). Matariki Whānau Night tickets $5 for adults, $3 for children (under 5s free).
For further information contact Naiomi Murgatroyd at the Museum by phone on 07 351 8055 or email Naiomi.murgatroyd@rdc.govt.nz