Murihiku Matariki Moving Indoors This Winter

Invercargill’s iconic Murihiku Matariki festival is moving from Queens Park to ILT Stadium Southland this winter. Workshop facilitator Sharne Parkinson said this was just a transitional phase for the Tūturu Charitable Trust to try something new. “Queens Park had limitations with what we could do and on a small budget.”

The festival will be taking over the entire full stadium, including the velodrome, and will use spaces both inside and out for its light installations. “It’s going to be epic and an opportunity to really showcase the entire well-rounded aspects of our culture,” she said.

Kelly McDonald, a Rangatahi Mentor for Awarua Whanau Services and a community liaison for whatsoninvers.nz, said, “This is the time for our Rangatahi to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead. It’s great to see another community event that brings all families together.”

Mike Sanford, founder of whatsoninvers.nz and a longtime media partner and sponsor of the Matariki Festival in Queens Park, “Initially, I was yeah/nah about moving from Queens Park to the stadium and velodrome. But now, understanding Sharne’s vision for how the entire venue will be transformed. I’m really excited for the next chapter as the event evolves and the community can can enjoy it rain, hail or snow”.

In a press release, the trust said the decision to move indoors was not made lightly. “We understand the importance of preserving the essence of Matariki while also adapting to the evolving needs of our community. By transitioning to an indoor setting, we aim to provide a more reliable and comfortable environment for everyone to enjoy the festivities.”

Moving the event indoors also allowed them to maintain the natural progression of the celebrations and better cater to the diverse needs of the community. “It also opens up new opportunities for creativity and innovation, enabling us to keep the event fresh and dynamic year after year.

We believe that this venue change will ultimately enhance the overall experience for our attendees while retaining the spirit and cultural significance of Matariki. Our commitment to celebrating this special occasion remains unwavering, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our indoor venue for a memorable Matariki celebration.”

Stadium Southland manager Jo Hutton said, “Our team is thrilled to be working closely with the Tūturu Charitable Trust to uphold tikanga and host this important event to Murihiku.” Follow the Tūturu Charitable Trust facebook poge.