In 2013 Project Lyttelton and Lyttelton Community House Trust, worked together – with support from Ripeka Paraone on behalf of Rāpaki – to join celebrations for Matariki and the Lyttelton Festival of Lights.

Following the successful combination of the two events last year, the collective vision for this year’s event, is for Lyttelton to be the first town in New Zealand to celebrate Matariki. On Friday 20 June, Lyttelton will light up the evening skies to celebrate Matariki alongside the Festival of Lights. The evening will begin at 5.30pm with a children’s parade.

This year the aim is to have children making their own wearable art with Matariki as the inspiration. Adults are welcome to join in the fun. Outstanding efforts will be viewed by the audience on the stage. There will be an array of delicious foods to purchase as well as superb entertainment, including a fireworks display sponsored by the Lyttelton Port Company at 7pm. Nau mai haere mai ki te Huihui o Matariki ki Ōhinehou.