Matariki Celebration Puts Tangata Whenua Leadership Centre Stage in Te Puke

Organisers of this year's Matariki celebrations in Te Puke have placed tangata whenua at the forefront of the June 20 event, presented in conjunction with Made in Te Puke Trust. Sam Hema, director of Hemasphere Ltd Consultancy and part of the organising team, stated: 'We are bringing the tribes and our hapū and surrounding tribes onstage together, which is cool—super cool actually. We are really proud to have our tangata whenua onstage performing.'

The event opens at 10am with Te Kahui Pūoro Tapuika performing traditional Māori musical instruments, led by cultural leader Jo'el Komene. The musical line-up includes Northland's kaupapa-driven band IllumiNgāti, whose sound encompasses reggae and RnB, plus local performers including Mana Roots, ADT (led by Waitaha and Tapuika cultural leader Mokoera TeAmo), and others. Food stalls will feature Māori kai and a hangi, with organisers consciously leaning towards Māori delicacies. Hema noted that the event has 'slightly changed our logo refreshed to represent our next phase.'

Originally published in Te Puke News by Sun Media.