Free Matariki Fashion Show at the library
14 July 2015
As part of this year's Matariki celebrations the Rotorua District Library is hosting a free fashion show on Thursday [16 July] featuring the designs of local talents.
The Matariki-inspired show will feature designs by Adrienne Whitewood, Leilani Rickard, Toaea Rendell and others.
Entry is free and the show begins at 6pm at the library, on Haupapa Street.
The fashion show is part of a full calendar of community events run by Rotorua Lakes Council for Matariki over the past month.
The final council event is on Thursday 30 July - Matariki at the Night Market, featuring music, food and dance.
Nice community events, including kite making, family activities, a fashion show, a community walk and a poster competition were organised by Rotorua Lakes Council's museum, library and sport and recreation teams, complementing events being organised by other community groups.
The winning design in the Rotorua District Library Matariki Poster Competition, which was open to all Rotorua school children, will feature in local Matariki promotions next year.
This year's council-organised events focused on increasing learning about the significance of Matariki and the Māori New Year, and it is intended to build on this in future years and link with community organisations, to make Matariki a major annual celebration for Rotorua.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for a cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter - late May or early June - and for many Māori, heralds the start of a new year. Matariki literally means the 'eyes of god' (mata ariki) or 'little eyes' (mata riki).
Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a time to celebrate the harvesting of crops and collecting of seafood and birds, a time when there was plenty of food in the storehouses.
Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s before being revived in 2000.
Kite flying is a special feature. According to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars.
For more information about Matariki visit this link at teara.govt.nz