The 9 stars of Matariki will be created by Sam Newsome from The Kings of Strings and placed among a tree scape adjacent to Tutukaka Marina’s K Peir.

These stars will be created with UV reactive string and illuminated with black lights to create a truly awe-inspiring art work.

Each of the stars have their own unique meaning:

Waitī watches over our freshwater environments.

Waitā surveys our vast oceans, Te Moana-nui-o-Kiwa.

Waipuna-ā-rangi welcomes the winter sky waters in all their forms. Tupu-ā-nuku has a special interest in our edible plants.

Tupu-ā-rangi has long looked out for the ngahere (forests), and he is deeply concerned by the collapse he is witnessing.

Ururangi is close friends with te whānau puhi (the wind family) – including Hauraro (the north wind), Tonga (the south wind),

Hauāuru (the west wind), and Marangai (the east wind). He encourages us to get to know this family well, embrace its strength and prepare for any challenges it creates.

Pōhutukawa holds tight to our memories of treasured people who have passed on. She encourages us to take time to remember them, and to acknowledge their impact on our lives.

Hiwai-i-te-rangi is a wishing star, who helps us to recognise our hopes, dreams and aspirations for the coming year. She encourages us to hold firm to our goals, and seek out opportunities to see them realised.

Matariki loves to gather the people together, and to connect them with our environment. She encourages us to do the same, as often as possible.

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This is a not-for-profit, community run festival. You don't need a ticket to visit this art installation, however, it would greatly help us with reporting to our funders at WDC if you did!

Grab a free ticket for you and your whanau or choose to give a little extra if you can!

We thank you for your support.

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Sam Newsome A.K.A the Kings of Strings has been designing and building landscapes for over 20yrs. More recently Sam created a different way of expressing through art and fell into creating installations for music and art festivals after volunteering for a year and looking for a way add to these great gatherings of people. Sam has been on this journey for two years now. For the Northern Lights Festival Sam will create the 9 stars of matariki in the nights sky with timber and uv reactive wool and paint. We cant wait to see it this art work!