Matariki is one of the most significant celebrations in the Māori calendar, also referred to as the Māori New Year.

Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Manager, David Ormsby says, “Matariki is a celebration.  A celebration of communities, a celebration of culture, language, practices, spirituality and stories. The Matariki fashion show celebrates our people, our communities, our culture and locally grown talents and skills.”

This is the second Matariki fashion show hosted by Te Whare o Manaaki Tangata Trust and is being held in the Memorial Hall.  The event to honour and celebrate Matariki with the wider community. 

 “Two years ago Amelia Taylor, Te Whare o Manaaki Tangata Trust led this event and it was a great success with more than 200 attending to celebrate the Matariki fashion show.  This year’s event will be even more popular with the added importance of bringing our community together following the earthquake.  To create a time to bring our people together acknowledge and celebrate local skills and talent.”

The fashion show provides a chance for local designers to showcase their designs.  The show involves rangatahi, whānau and hapū in all parts of the show, from the catwalk to backstage.

The show builds the self-confidence and self-determination of local rangatahi and the whānau, hapū and iwi.  “The show is a great relationship building event for whānau and the locals to come together to celebrate Matariki as a community,” says Mr Ormsby.

ENDS

Nicky Birch, Communications Manager
027 762 7293
nicky.birch@tpk.govt.nz

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