Grant's Kōrero: Matariki & Mahi Toi ki Te Tōangaroa

Now a public holiday for three years, Matariki has become more than a date on the calendar—it’s a real opportunity to show how we value culture and our place.

The commitment to Matariki across the city remains strong. At Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, we’ve continued to invest in Matariki, and it’s been great to see others do the same at a time when it’s easy to tighten the purse strings on mahi toi and activations. This year brought even stronger collaboration and momentum with partners such as Britomart Group and Auckland Council that shows Matariki is becoming a citywide priority.

Our main activation was Tūhono, an extension of the city’s existing Matariki light installations, creating what we believe is the first two-kilometre indigenous light and art trail of its kind. Tūhono spans from Te Komititanga at Commercial Bay through Britomart to Māhuhu-ki-te-Rangi Park in Te Tōangaroa, drawing a powerful line that connects precincts through design and storytelling.

The trail culminates in Te Tōangaroa with a large-scale laser projection work on the 8-storey NESUTO building by emerging Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artist Arama Tamariki-Enua. Named Pūkaea, the piece references the original name of one of the bays in the area, Tangihanga Pūkaea, the sounding of the war trumpet. The projection blends traditional Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei design motifs with contemporary digital techniques. Serpent-like forms and hive-like patterns evolve into celestial shapes, evoking a hidden war party rising to reclaim space and identity. It’s bold and unapologetic, an assertion of whakapapa. We’re proud to have worked with our colleagues at Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia to support Arama in delivering this major public work alongside Angus Muir Design.

We also hosted our first Matariki Market in Māhuhu-ki-te-Rangi Park. Around 3,000 people came through enjoying a kapa haka performance from Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, an array of kai from local vendors, and taonga from local stall holders including our very own weavers from Ōrākei Marae. It was a chance to revive the site’s history as a place of trade and showcase the depth of talent within our community. And we’re excited to see this grow in the future.

To ensure we celebrate mahi toi beyond the Matariki season, we’ve launched the Ara Toi booklet - a self-guided walking tour of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artworks across Te Tōangaroa. It highlights the contributions of whānau artists including Graham Tipene, Beronia Scott, Bernadette Papa, Hana Maihi, Numa McKenzie, and Arakatera Maihi. From carvings and pou, to murals and digital design, their works are embedded throughout the built environment ensuring the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei footprint is extended across the city.

While the cultural outcomes of mahi toi and cultural celebrations are clear, there are commercial outcomes too. We are focused on attracting more people to live and work in Te Tōangaroa.  We also want to attract more quality investment into Te Tōangaroa. What sets us apart from other precincts is that we are a tangata whenua-led urban precinct. That is our point of difference and we need to lean into it. We’re fortunate to be in a prime central location with good transport connection, and investors and tenants increasingly want to be part of something with a strong,unique and lasting legacy and a bold vision for the future. Mahi toi will be part of that vision.

Mānawatia te Mātahi o te tau!