Dance And Culture Lights Up Lower Hutt For Matariki
From the fierce rhythms of kapa haka to the sharp moves of street dance and a colourful celebration of cultural identity, Lower Hutt is set to host an exciting programme of performance events that will bring thousands together.
Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says he's excited to see events be hosted in the Hutt, and the thousands of people that will enjoy them.
"It's great to see the Hutt will be buzzing this Matariki. These events bring people together and bring more people into our city, which is good news for local shops and hospitality. I'm proud we can help make them happen."
The festivities begin on Matariki holiday, Friday 20 June, with the Haka Extravaganza at the Dowse Square. It showcases the unique power and artistry of kapa haka. There will be a hautapu ceremony at 6am which includes a free hangi breakfast. Performances start at 10am and entry is free.
Spokesperson Ginny Maxwell says Haka Extravaganza is more than performance.
"It's about providing an opportunity to come together and enjoy Kapa Haka but to also provide a space for all those who enjoy performing to do so."
There are 12 performances through the day, involving about 350 performers.
"We encourage people to pack a picnic lunch and spend the time together and enjoy the day."
On 20-21 June, Hip Hop Unite storms the stage at the Lower Hutt Events Centre. This national dance event brings together top hip hop crews from across Aotearoa
Hip Hop Unite Event Director Gemma Laing says this year will see a record 1500 dancers in 120 teams and duos from all parts of the motu.
"We have heaps of mega crews - big crews with up to 25 dancers onstage. It'll add to the unmissable, choreographed magic."
Dancers will also have an eye on qualifying for the Hip Hop Unite World Championships in the Czech Republic. Qualification isn't automatic. Instead, dancers are assessed by a judging panel to ensure they have a necessary level of competitiveness.
Unfortunately tickets for Hip Hop Unite in Lower Hutt have sold out, reflecting the event's unmistakable popularity
The much-loved Hutt Fest at Walter Nash Stadium runs from 24-27 June. It will feature more than 3000 student performers, watched by more than 14,000 spectators, in what is a vibrant celebration of Pasifika culture, identity and youth empowerment through song and dance.
The tagline for the event is: Our Identity, Our Stage, Our Future. The event nurtures a strong sense of belonging, reinforces the value of ancestral knowledge, and empowers our young people to carry their traditions with confidence into the future.
The ECE Concert is free entry, general admission for primary and intermediate Shows $8, general admission for college shows $10. Additional fee applies. Tickets available through my tickets.
There are plenty of other events happening in Lower Hutt for Matariki and beyond. You can view a selection here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Gore photographer's shot recognised
Bob Smith's photo of Boston George Setefano, 17, performing kapa haka at last year's Matariki celebrations in Waimumu, has been selected as part of the Four Nations Photographic Challenge. Photo: Bob Smith A photo of a Blue Mountain College head boy doing kapa haka during last year's Matariki celebrations has been chosen as part of an international photography competition. Bob Smith's photograph of Boston George Setefano (Ngāti Porou) has been chosen, alongside 80 other images from New Zealand, for the Four Nations Photographic Challenge. The black-and-white photograph was taken in Waimumu in 2024, and Mr Smith said he was beyond surprised to have been selected. "I couldn't believe my eyes when the announcement came out," he said. The life member of the Gore Camera Club said he had entered in previous years, but never heard anything back. "Eyer in with the pretty top photographers in the country," he said. Glenda Rees, also from Gore, has a shot selected as well. Blue Mountain teacher Arrhae Gawky Eales, who runs the kapa haka group Boston is the CAI (leader) of, said it was a privilege to see this photo of him. "I think I could write a book on this young man," she said. "Boston has helped lead the way for young Māori to be proud to be Māori." The cultural group is called Te Atka Kapa Haka Abhor, and is part of Te Atka Māori Charitable Trust. Mr Smith said the photos are sent to an independent association to be judged and the winners will be announced in September. The competition includes photographers from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Canada, and the Photographic Society of New Zealand is this year's host.
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Auckland's Silo Park light exhibition mirrors Māori string game
The work was first commissioned by Auckland Council Public Art for Matariki ki te Manawa in 2024. Now, it has been made larger and occupies a more prominent space with 360-degree views across the city and Waitematā Harbour from the Gantry. The light loops play on the traditional weaving forms of the string game. 'Whai keeps Māori traditions alive, a shared experience that bridges cultures, ensuring they remain vibrant and celebrated for generations to come,' Williams said. She wanted the work to invite people to immerse themselves in the game. 'For centuries, Māori children have played and become skilled at whai, learning complex patterns and the stories behind them. Through connection, creation, and discovery, Whai offers everyone that learning experience - bringing people together through the joy of making.' In 2022, Williams studied full immersion te reo Māori at Te Wānanga Takiura and continues to study part-time. Williams is a mother, business owner and is in her final year of an Executive Master of Business Administration at Massey University and Master of Professional Creative Practice at Toihoukura. She often works alongside her husband, Charles Williams, to create brightly coloured, large-scale murals honouring kaupapa Māori. Many of their works include vivid depictions of New Zealand's native birds in flight. They also have a strong interest in graffiti art, with the pair decorating vans, walls and even motorway underpasses around Auckland. Auckland Council said Silo Park was chosen as this year's temporary site for Whai as the precinct strongly reflected the waterfront's heritage. 'The regeneration of Wynyard Quarter acknowledges its place on the edge of the Waitematā, retaining elements of the area's industrial history.' Over the next three to five years, during the Matariki season, Auckland Council Public Art will exhibit Whai in different locations. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
12-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Travel Alerts: Tortoise encounters, french feasts, and a crocheted wharenui
Celebrate Bastille Day in Auckland Bastille Day, France's national holiday on July 14, is best known for fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, street parades, live music and picnic baskets filled with wine and cheese. While most Kiwis can only dream of spending it in Paris, one local travel company offers a delightful alternative right here in New Zealand. Boutique Tours France hosts four-day French language immersion ateliers in Akaroa and West Auckland. Limited to eight guests, each retreat includes conversational French lessons and classic experiences like pétanque, live French music, long-table dining, and plenty of good wine. Created during the pandemic to bring a taste of France closer to home, the ateliers have since become a go-to for New Zealand's Francophiles. Celebrate Bastille Day in Auckland with Boutique Tours France. Party with artists at the Gold Coast Bleach* Festival returns to the Gold Coast in 2025 with its most ambitious programme yet, running from July 31 to August 10. Under the creative direction of guest artistic director Michael Zavros, the 11-day event features more than 100 performances across iconic locations like Hota, Kurrawa Beach, and Emerald Lakes. The lineup includes three world premieres and spotlights everything from live music and bold installations to culinary delights. Whether you are chasing festival energy, creative conversations, or beachside performances, this is one of Australia's most unique contemporary arts experiences. Full programme and ticket info available at Australian artist Kirsha Kaechele will take her provocative installation Ladies Lounge outside Mona to the Hota Gallery. Photo / Supplied Crocheted wharenui It's not every day you see a wharenui made entirely of neon crochet. Wharenui Harikoa, created by artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, is a joyful and immersive art experience now on show at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau. Crafted from vivid yarn and inspired by Māori tradition, the large-scale installation blends ancestral storytelling with light, sound and colour. Visitors step barefoot into a glowing world of tukutuku panels, sensory touch walls and a shifting soundscape led by taonga puoro and karanga. Inspired by Matariki and the celestial family, this is the first time the wharenui will stand while Matariki is visible in the night sky. Guided tours with the artists are free but limited, so book ahead. Entry is free and open daily. Walk-ups welcome. Visit to plan your experience.
