Central City | Council events
Tīrama Mai is back this winter to celebrate Puanga Matariki with an array of artistic lighting and cultural displays in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Worcester Boulevard , Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora
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Tīrama Mai start times
Wed 18 June: 4.30pm - 9.30pm
Thurs 19 June to Sunday 22 June: 2.30pm - 9.30pm
The event will span Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, but works will also be positioned along Worcester Boulevard, and at Riverside Market.
The free cultural festival, produced by Christchurch City Council brings together an array of artistic, lighting and cultural displays, including performances and storytelling. Talks, short films and more will also feature at the Gallery at set times, and the exhibition spaces will be open for exploring until late.
Come into the city with friends and whānau to discover the trail of illuminated artworks, projections, music soundscapes and interactive installations. Tīrama Mai will feature a combo of all-new works and crowd-pleasers from the last couple of years.
Featuring the artists Areta Wilkinson, Mark Adams, Kommi Tamati-Elliffe, Juanita Hepi, Xoë Hall, Turumeke Harrington, Alix Ashworth, Sam Emerson, James Tapsell-Kururangi, Bea Gladding, Te Wā The Space, Th’Orchard, Ariki Creative, Art Fetiche, Māui Studios and more.
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Main building Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Forecourt Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Carpark Worcester Boulevard - Former Harley Chambers Building Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Great Hall Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Maker Workshop Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Altiora Canopy Ravenscar Car Park Canterbury Museum Pop-Up Riverside Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Upstairs exhibition space Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Pūmanawa Gallery Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Cloisters Studio Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - The Observatory The Physics Room The Green Room Gallery Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Te Whare Tapere Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Market Square Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Pūmanawa Gallery CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Activity Room Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Foyer Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - The Observatory CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki 3pm: Artist Kōrero – Tia Barrett with Taarn Scott & Hana Pera Aoake Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Pūmanawa Gallery Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Cloisters Studio The Green Room Gallery Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Lumiere Cinemas Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Market Square Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Pūmanawa Gallery Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Cloisters Studio Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - The Observatory The Green Room Gallery The Physics Room Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Lumiere Cinemas Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Market Square Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Philip Carter Family Auditorium Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū - Activity Room Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū – Foyer Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Lumiere Cinemas CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - The Observatory Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Pūmanawa Gallery Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre - Cloisters Studio The Green Room Gallery The Physics Room
Te Whaitua o Rēhia o Tīrama Mai Storytelling and Performances includes the Foyer, Philip Carter Auditorium and Activity Room. We will have a combination of performance, music and DJ’s, short films and talks.
Interactive: Takohia mai nā e koe ko te tātai whetū –Kommi Tamati-Elliffe me ana haumi. An interactive sound immersion tunnel.
Projection: Dark Sky Project Takapō
Projection: Sam Emerson and Josh Montgomery aka Drows. Score by Sam Emerson with music from Mokotron
Projection: Great Hall of Whaea – Xoë Hall, Bea Gladding, Dave Spark
Interactive: Te Wero o Taiaho Laser Maze – Te Whai Ao and Tūhura (Entry off Hereford Street)
Interactive: Fortnite Marae – Māui Studios
Interactive: The Glow Zone Te Whai Ao and Tūhura
Wed 18 June, 9am – 5pm
Thurs 19 June to Sat 21 June, 9am – 9pm
Sun 22 June, 9am – 5pm
Exhibition - He Riri Awatea, Filming the New Zealand Wars
Interactive: Te poi me te tapu o te mārama Move To Your Own Beat – NEWCO
Projection: Flare Presents: Hurihanga – Offline Collective led by Sam Emerson
Projection: Flare Presents: Te Tihi o Kahukura – River Jayden
2.30pm & 3.30pm: Tamariki (Children’s) TV show – Kiri & Lou(external link)
Compilation of nine episodes
4.30pm: Curator talk – He Kapuka Oneone: A Handful of Soil with Chloe Cull
5.30pm: Stars & Stories for Starters, brought to you by Te Whai Ao and Tūhura
In this 30-minute astronomy taster, you’ll get an indoor tour of the night sky in Ōtautahi during the Tangaroa moon phases, complete with stories and tips that will have you ready to make the most of our phenomenal skies, not only during Matariki but all winter long.
6pm: Interactive Children’s performance – Mā: Matariki for Tamariki(external link) with Loopy Tunes
7pm: Performance art work – ARIĀ IV: Juanita Hepi accompanied by Nicole Reddington & Serenity Thurlow
Using her body, Juanita responds to visual provocations layered throughout the space. For Juanita, layering is a notion that mirrors whakapapa, which is deeply entrenched in Kāi Tahu creation narratives, knowledge systems, and ways of being and seeing.
7pm: Kiriata Poto (Māori short films) compilation, which includes Ahi Kaa, Tama Tū, Koro’s Medal, Mokupuna & Two Cars, One Night
(repeat this every day to Sunday)
8pm: DJ music – Kohu Sessions with Novae (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa Kaiwhare) & Kōroto(external link) (Rāngitane)
10am – 9.30pm: Interdisciplinary performance installation – IN/DIGITAL SPACES(external link) by Bea Gladding, Janaye Henry, Nicholas Ahu Gartner and protectionspell
10am – 9.30pm: Dance film projection installation (on loop) – PEPE by Good Company Arts
10am – 9.30pm: Art exhibition – Te Waiatatangamai o te Atua The Song of the Gods(external link)
11am – 9.30pm: Exhibition (films) – Te oorokohanga mai o te tangi o te mooteatea(external link) – Ngamako Rota
11am – 9pm: Interdisciplinary art exhibition – Koia Koia! Dig Dig! featuring artists Tia Barrett, Zena Elliott, Noel Meek
4pm – 9.30pm: Pop-up tattoo evening – Matatiki Flash Day x Absolution with Borge and Miekes(external link)
and artwork by Alix Ashworth. Choose your tattoo from the available designs, with prices starting from $60.
4.30pm – 9.30pm: Matariki Makete(external link) (market)
5.30pm: Performance – Te Reo o te Whakataukī e Hīkoi Ana by Josiah Morgan, directed by Bea Gladding
More information can be found on the IN/DIGITAL SPACES(external link) webpage.
5.30pm – 8pm: Exhibition opening - He tuna ora, he wai ora(external link) by Taarn Scott and Hana Pera Aoake
10.30am & 2pm: Drop-in art workshop
2.30pm & 3.30pm: Tamariki (Children’s) TV show – Kiri & Lou(external link)
Compilation of nine episodes.
2.30pm – 5pm: Brown Town presents Pō Wawata Vision Board Craft Night
Bookings essential – get your free tickets.(external link)
5.30pm: Stars & Stories for Starters, brought to you by Te Whai Ao and Tūhura
In this 30-minute astronomy taster, you’ll get an indoor tour of the night sky in Ōtautahi during the Tangaroa moon phases, complete with stories and tips that will have you ready to make the most of our phenomenal skies, not only during Matariki but all winter long.
6pm: Kapa haka performance – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi – K2 Haka
6.30pm: Dance and Waiata (singing) – Ngāi Whetū
With Alyssa Parkinson (Kai Tahu, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine), Josephine Mavaega (Samoa), Karl Omotoy (Philippines), Manu Hepi (Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Kai Tahu, Kahungunu ki wairoa me Ngāti Wai), and Tōmairangi Paterson-Waaka (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa, Te Rarawa me Tainui).
7.30pm – 9.30pm: DJ music – Kohu Sessions with THANKS(external link) (Ngāti Porou)
10am – 6pm: Art exhibition – Te Waiatatangamai o te Atua The Song of the Gods(external link)
10am – 8pm: Art exhibition – He tuna ora, he wai ora(external link) by Taarn Scott and Hana Pera Aoake
10am – 9.30pm: IN/DIGITAL SPACES(external link) by Bea Gladding, Janaye Henry, Nicholas Ahu Gartner and protectionspell
10am – 9.30pm: Dance film projection installation (on loop) – PEPE by Good Company Arts
11am – 3pm: Interdisciplinary art exhibition – Koia Koia! Dig Dig! featuring artists Tia Barrett, Zena Elliott, Noel Meek
2.10pm: Documentary film – PATU!(external link) (1983) 4K Restoration
Bookings essential – offered free of charge with a small booking fee.
2.30pm – 9.30pm: Matariki Makete(external link) (market)
10.30am & 2pm: Drop-in art workshop
2.30pm & 3.30pm: Tamariki (Children’s) TV show – Kiri & Lou(external link)
Compilation of nine episodes.
4.30pm: Stars & Stories for Starters, brought to you by Te Whai Ao and Tūhura
In this 30-minute astronomy taster, you’ll get an indoor tour of the night sky in Ōtautahi during the Tangaroa moon phases, complete with stories and tips that will have you ready to make the most of our phenomenal skies, not only during Matariki but all winter long.
5.30pm: Kōrero (talk) – From Knowing to Being: Matariki mā Puaka as Living Practice
with Kari Moana Te Rongopatahi
6pm: Music and dance performance – Uruao ki uta! with Project Miere
Uruao ki uta is a music and dance piece that is set on te Waka Uruao – our characters navigate the challenges of the present by exploring practices of the past.
7pm: Music performance – Kani Ka Pila with Mama Tee & the Hale Band
8pm: DJ music – Kohu Sessions with Ayaluna(external link) (Lebanese, European)
10am – 3pm: Art exhibition – He tuna ora, he wai ora(external link) by Taarn Scott and Hana Pera Aoake
10am – 9.30pm: IN/DIGITAL SPACES(external link) by Bea Gladding, Janaye Henry, Nicholas Ahu Gartner and protectionspell
10am – 9.30pm: Dance film projection installation (on loop) – PEPE by Good Company Arts
10am – 9.30pm: Art exhibition – Te Waiatatangamai o te Atua The Song of the Gods(external link)
11am – 3pm: Interdisciplinary art exhibition – Koia Koia! Dig Dig! featuring artists Tia Barrett, Zena Elliott, Noel Meek
11am – 4pm: Exhibition (films) – Te oorokohanga mai o te tangi o te mooteatea(external link) – Ngamako Rota
2.15pm: Documentary film – PATU!(external link) (1983) 4K Restoration
Bookings essential – offered free of charge with a small booking fee.
2.30pm – 9.30pm: Matariki Makete(external link) (market)
2.30pm & 3.30pm: Tamariki (Children’s) TV show – Kiri & Lou(external link)
Compilation of nine episodes.
2.30pm – 5.30pm: Matariki Jogakbo Community Patchwork Workshop(external link)
Jogakbo is a hand sewn patchwork technique that is deeply rooted in Korean culture, using leftover scraps of fabric. It is an extension of the broader tradition of Bojagi, the practice of using wrapping cloths for various purposes, such as storing, carrying, or protecting valuable items.
6pm: Musical performance – th’Saplings Journey
After 6 years of being nurtured within th'Orchard, the young creatives based within th'Orchard community have created a show called th'Saplings, inspired by their own journey. Each of the Saps have created an original piece that reflects who they are, how they feel and what is important to them. We invite you to come and share in the Saps’ journey.
7pm: DJ music – Kohu Sessions with WAEWAEXPRESS(external link) (Poutini Ngāi Tāhu) & Tikka Masala(external link) (Tainui)
10am: Documentary film: PATU!(external link) (1983) 4K Restoration
Bookings essential – offered free of charge with a small booking fee.
10am – 3pm: Art exhibition – He tuna ora, he wai ora(external link) by Taarn Scott and Hana Pera Aoake
10am – 5pm: Art exhibition – Te Waiatatangamai o te Atua The Song of the Gods(external link)
10am – 9.30pm: IN/DIGITAL SPACES(external link) by Bea Gladding, Janaye Henry, Nicholas Ahu Gartner and protectionspell
10am – 9.30pm: Dance film projection installation (on loop) – PEPE by Good Company Arts
11am – 3pm: Interdisciplinary art exhibition – Koia Koia! Dig Dig! featuring artists Tia Barrett, Zena Elliott, Noel Meek
11am – 4pm: Exhibition (films) – Te oorokohanga mai o te tangi o te mooteatea(external link) – Ngamako Rota
The appearance of the Matariki star cluster – made up of nine stars(external link) – welcomes in Te Tau Hou, the New Year. Rising in the northeast sky, the star cluster is not always readily visible in all parts of New Zealand. For those living in Te Waipounamu, the South Island, Puanga is a brighter star in the night sky which rises earlier than Matariki and is often considered to herald the New Year. Some iwi celebrate Puanga rather than Matariki as Te Tau Hou. The rise of Puanga and Matariki is often acknowledged as being a time of coming together and of reflecting on the past year, on the people who have passed and on whakapapa (genealogy). Whakapapa sets out the beginning and continuing relationships between everything, past and present. It accounts for the way in which all things have been created: stars, earth, sky, oceans, rivers, elements, minerals, plants, animals and all people. There are nine covered parking buildings and thousands of on-street parking spaces available in the central city. Most on-street parking is free after 6pm (please check signage), see the carpark map for more information(external link). For information on bus timetables, please visit MetroInfo.(external link)
A huge thanks to our partners and sponsors - Orion, Connetics, Streamliner and Trees for Canterbury.
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