Matariki for Tamariki
Tue, 30 Jun
|Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
Created for whānau by the New Zealand Dance Company, this joyful dance tale follows a group of cheeky friends exploring the ngahere, maunga and moana of Aotearoa as they uncover the nine whetū of Matariki and the magic of the Māori New Year.
Time & Location
30 Jun 2026, 6:00 pm
Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, 38 Durham Street, Tauranga 3110
About The Event
Matariki for Tamariki at Baycourt
When: 6.00pm, Tuesday 30 June
Price: Pakeke | Adult: $19.96
Tamaiti | Child: $10.75
Rōpū | Group (4+): $10.75pp
Tickets: eventfinda.co.nz/2026/matariki-for-tamariki3/tauranga/tickets
The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and Baycourt present Matariki for Tamariki, a joyful celebration for tamariki of all ages (recommended 7 to 14 years).
Together, whānau are invited to explore Matariki, the nine whetū of the constellation, and the stories they carry, in a celebration of a season that brings all of Aotearoa together. Created by acclaimed Aotearoa artist and 2023 New Zealand Arts Laureate Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa), the show follows a cheeky group of friends travelling across Aotearoa during the Matariki season.
Moving through ngahere, maunga and moana, they encounter the natural world as it shifts and renews on an adventure filled with dance, humour, play and surprise. As the journey unfolds, the nine whetū of Matariki emerge, each with their own role to play. Matariki signals the start of the season, while Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi look after the foods of land and sky. Waitī and Waitā move through freshwater and the sea, Waipunarangi brings the rain, and Ururangi stirs the winds. Pōhutukawa remembers those who have passed, while Hiwa-i-te-Rangi looks ahead to hopes for the year to come.
Blending storytelling, music and dance, Matariki for Tamariki balances high energy with poignant moments to keep tamariki engaged, while offering plenty for parents, caregivers and older audiences to enjoy.
With bold visual design by Rona Ngahuia Osborne and sound by Alistair Deverick, Matariki for Tamariki is a warm show that brings people together and leaves the whole whānau feeling connected and ready for the year to come.
More Info:
facebook.com/events/718664211267673
