With Matariki weekend upon us, a jampacked calendar of events is on for Bay of Plenty residents to mark the occasion. Tauranga City, the Mount, Pāpāmoa, Te Puke and Katikati all have events on  Friday, June 28.

Below is a rundown of what events are taking place around the region.

Katikati 

Katikati Community Centre operation manager Donna Hannah welcomes the community to gather at dawn to view the Matariki star cluster at the Park Road Reserve from 4.30am.

Eight community organisations have joined forces to host a free dawn service to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and prepare for the future. 

“We’ll have a kōrero about where the stars are and what they represent. We’ll have a stage and we’ve got kapa haka coming.”

Attendees will be treated to warm beverages and refreshments before a pōhutukawa tree is planted. 

“There’ll be braziers for people to sit around and eat and talk. A park and ride from Katikati Primary School from 4.30am is on offer too.”

Te Puke 

At Te Puke, Te Kete o Matariki is at Jubilee Park on Friday, June 28 from 10am-4pm.

Sam Hema, who is part of the organising team, says the headliners are reggae maestros House of Shem, and the House band is Matariki Allstars, of which Sam is a member.

Ngā Whetu choir is back again; and Te Kahui Pōuro o Tapuika, a group of traditional Māori instrument players, will perform led by Jo’el Komene.

“We also really want to focus on Māori kai this year, so there’ll be all sorts of Māori kai out there.” The day will start with non-competitive kapa haka performances.

Pāpāmoa 

Pāpāmoa offers an unforgettable evening of entertainment underneath the stars with ‘Light Up The Waterway’ at Pāpāmoa Plaza from 5pm-10pm Friday, June 28.

“Join us at 5pm for the whatatau/welcoming ceremony by Ngā Potiki a Tamapahore Trust at the stage opposite Papamoa Plaza to kick off the festivities,” says Tourism BOP general manager Oscar Nathan.

“Be captivated by mesmerising kapa haka performances and enjoy live music, creating a magical atmosphere until 7.50pm.”

Oscar says the event is about educating our community about the significance of Matariki, our whenua, bringing people together from all walks of life, and celebrating our shared heritage.

“We’ve partnered closely with Ngā Potiki a Tamapahore Trust to ensure this event honours the deep cultural roots of our land and its people.”

Tauranga City 

In Tauranga City the Mānawatia a Matariki - Matariki Star Trail winds around CBD locations until July 1. To find the whetū stars of Matariki, visit: matariki.downtowntauranga.co.nz

Or visit a first-of-its-kind Matariki-themed sculpture trail on Tauranga Waterfront. The matARiki Sculpture Trail – at both The Strand Reserve in Tauranga and at Te Papa o ngā Manu Porotakataka at Mount Maunganui – is an interactive experience for families and art enthusiasts alike, says exhibition creator Kereama Taepa.

The exhibitions use augmented reality technology to breathe life into digital artworks by renowned Kiwi artists and is open to the public at two sites until June 30.

Trail-goers simply scan QR codes with a smart device and watch as artworks come to life before their eyes.

Mount Maunganui

At Mount Maunganui the Matariki Maumaharatanga Ceremony is at the Mauao Summit on June 28, from 6am-8am. “Together we will honour and remember our departed loved ones by calling out their names,” says Oscar.

“This poignant event is a tribute to their spirits rising alongside the Matariki cluster, welcomed by Te Waka o Rangi into the celestial realms.”

For more Matariki events around the BOP, visit:

www.bayofplentynz.com/matariki