Britomart is doubly the place to be next week as a variety of fun and tasty cultural activities take place, part of this year’s Matariki Festival ringing in the Māori New Year as the constellation rises in the winter skies above Aotearoa.

Historically a time for communities to come together, acknowledge the year gone by and make plans for the year ahead, there are several great happenings taking place in wider Auckland from June 20 to July 15 that encourage celebrating with kai, kōrero, rituals and entertainment.

Down in Britomart from Tuesday, June 30 to Saturday, July 4, visitors can be treated to a traditional hāngi by hāngi master Rewi Spraggon, who is setting up his pit in Takutai Square. We’re excited to try one of the hāngi pies on offer and there are also hāngi lunchboxes available to take away, so why not get the office involved for a group lunch?

Auckland Council has also collaborated with Britomart to host daily performances by local kapa haka groups from Monday, June 29 to Saturday, July 4, with two 20-minute performances occurring each day at 12:15pm and 1:15pm.

Lunchtime tunes by DJ Pomale Tamati keep the vibe going and visitors to Takutai Square can also take in an impressive display in the form of a lightbox exhibition.

The imagery displayed features a selection of local kapa haka performers, some of whom will be representing Tāmaki Makaurau at the next national kapa haka competition.

So whether it’s a hot hāngi lunch or a performance that appeals, we recommend joining the celebrations down in Britomart to mark this year’s Matariki.