The stars will shine on the shores of Lake Takapō/Tekapo, as Matariki is celebrated in the Mackenzie. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua will host this year’s festival with the inaugural evening concert a highlight, Te Upoko o Waihao, Te Wera King said. The Matariki Public Holiday Bill was passed on April 7, 2022, and its first public holiday was celebrated in June that year. King said he could not imagine anywhere better to celebrate the rise of Matariki, than in the Mackenzie. Matariki Mackenzie would start at 10am on Friday, pausing briefly at 3.30pm, before the evening concert and a night market started at 5pm.
