Access Guide: Matariki Hautapu at Ōrākei

The 2025 theme of Matariki mā Puanga is all about inclusion, embracing diversity and celebrating Matariki together. Matariki was made a public holiday for the first time in 2022, giving us a time to reflect on the past, make intentions for the future and be with whānau. 

Matariki is a great opportunity to revive traditional practices. Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei, who are the mana whenua of Auckland Central, have been putting on public ceremonies for Matariki for years and invite those in Tāmaki Makaurau to join in and share the passing of the old year into the new year at their hautapu. 

In 2025, it will be at 6am on Friday 20 June at Takaparawhau, where the current marae of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is based. So you’re keen to come along to Takaparawhau? Here’s what you need to know! 

About Takaparawhau

Overlooking the expansive harbour, Takaparawhau (Bastion Point) is significant to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei because they fought for its return from the Crown with a 506-day occupation beginning in 1977. 

The land, which was first occupied by tāngata whenua, was taken by the Crown in 1859 for military purposes. Although the Crown no longer needed the land by 1941, it did not return the land back. Instead, in 1976, the land was announced to be sold for development into luxury housing. Bastion Point was the last 60 acres the people of Ōrākei believe could be returned.

Led by Joe Hawke, hapū members occupied their ancestral lands until armed police and military personnel came to evict the occupiers, arresting 222 people and demolishing their temporary houses and gardens. It wasn’t until 1988 that Takaparawhau was returned back to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as part of a Treaty settlement process, enabling the mana, integrity and dignity of the hapū to be restored. 

Takaparawhau is whenua tapu (sacred land) and is the burial site of Joe Hawke and his niece, Joannee, who died during the occupation. 

What’s Puanga?

You may have heard that the theme of the nationwide Matariki campaign this year is Matariki mā Puanga. While the Matariki cluster (aka Pleiades) heralds the Māori New Year for many iwi in Aotearoa, Che Wilson, the leading mātauranga Puanga expert says, “for Ngāti Rangi and other neighbouring iwi, we look to Puanga as the marker of the Māori new year.” These regions include Taranaki, Whanganui, and Rangitīkei. So the theme is about including everyone and celebrating all knowledges in the observation of the Māori New Year. 

Puanga is also known as Rigel and is the seventh brightest star in the sky. While it’s visible all year round, it becomes especially prominent in the autumn evenings, and the predawn sky during the first month of the new year. There are heaps of resources about this star on the Puanganui website. 

What’s a hautapu?

Hautapu is the name of the ceremony practised when Matariki rises to feed the stars with a sacred offering. It is short for ‘whāngai i te hautapu’ which means ‘to feed the life force’. It’s usually split into three parts, the observation of the star cluster, remembrance for those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki, and the offering of kai. 

Kai is offered in the form of the steam rising from an earth oven called umu kohukohu whetū. Kai is selected based on taking an item from each of the domains of Tupuānuku (growths from the earth), Tupuārangi (birds and foods that grow from above), Waitī (fresh water) and Waitā (sea water). 

The kai is cooked early in the morning before Matariki rises and after the completion of the karakia for those who have passed. The lid is lifted from the oven and the steam rises into the sky, feeding Matariki and opening the Māori New Year. 

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Access Guide to Takaparawhau Hautapu

Terrain

The event location is wheelchair accessible. There is a wide paved path packed with sand that loops around the site of the ceremonial grounds which is on a grassy field. A drainage system has been installed into the field to keep the ground from going muddy and waterlogged. There is kerb-ramp access from the marae entrance and carpark to the ceremonial site and toilets.

Transport/parking

You can start arriving from 5am. Around 15-18 mobility car parks will be available by Ōrākei Marae. You may also be dropped off near the marae by Eastcliffe Retirement Village. For either of these options, you will need to access these via Kupe Street as Kitemoana Street will be closed. 

If you are driving, you can park in the Grammar TEC carpark on Reihana Street where a shuttle will run approximately every 10 minutes from 4.30am till 5.35am to the entrance of the marae. 

You can also walk from the Grammar TEC carpark. The best way is across the Ōrākei Domain and up Kitemoana Street. Just be mindful of the shuttle buses going down the street.

When the ceremony is over, the shuttles will run again from about 7am till 8.30am to go back to the Grammar TEC carpark. 

What to expect 

Guests should be on the grounds by 5.45am where the MC will brief attendees on what will happen. The ceremony will start at 6am on the dot and finishes at about 7.30am. 

The event gathered around 2000 people last year so while it can be crowded, it won’t be very loud as guests are mostly observing and quietly reflecting. There are open fire pits around the site to light up some areas and keep you warm. They also represent the ahi kā, the fires of occupation, which signal that the land is alight with life and people. Every open fire pit will be staffed by volunteers. 

The people of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will be leading the proceedings, including karakia, waiata and puoro and will guide guests through what’s going on in te reo Māori and English. There will be text on screen indicating what is happening in the ceremony. 

There’ll be a lineup of kaikarakia who are delivering karakia to each of the whetū in the Matariki cluster. While this happens, the lid to the umu (ground oven) will be lifted so that the steam can rise and whāngai te hau (feed the life force) of the stars in the cluster. Then everyone will farewell their loved ones who have passed since the last rising of Matariki. 

The hautapu is predominantly a standing event with limited seating, but you are welcome to bring your own chair. 

It will be cold! Due to the exposed location on the hill, it will get very cold, especially just after the sun rises. Wear warm layered clothes and closed waterproof shoes with warm socks. Think waterproof jacket, beanie, scarf, and even a blanket. 

After the ceremony, everyone is offered some warming kai. There’ll be chicken or vegan soup with bread and rongoā tea. You’ll also get a chance to try some of the kai grown and gathered by kaimahi and cooked in the umu. It’s a good idea to eat or drink something afterwards as it will lift you from the state of tapu. 

You can bring your own non-alcoholic drinks but refrain from eating during the ceremony unless medically necessary. 

Watch what goes into the preparation from previous years 
Watch the 2023 ceremony 

Lighting and visibility

Because the event happens before the sun rises, it will be dark. This will help with visibility of the stars. There will be light towers around the entrance of the site and certain areas on site and additional lighting in the onsite marquees. 

Matariki may be visible to the naked eye depending on the conditions but you’re welcome to use your own stargazing apps to help and the Auckland Astronomy Association staff will have a professional telescope for the public to access if it’s not cloudy. 

The ceremonial aspects happening on site are lit with light towers and open fires and will be broadcast up on two large LED screens on either side. The broadcast won’t be livestreamed but it will be recorded for future viewing. The proceedings will be amplified on a large PA system. There is no NZSL interpretation and no hearing loop. 

Support

Service animals are allowed on site but you will need to bring valid registration to show to security upon arrival. 

Kaimahi may not be familiar with the sunflower lanyard for hidden disabilities, but if you require any assistance, you can reach out to the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei kaimahi on site who will be wearing high vis jackets, including the people in the info tent, usher staff, security staff, and St John kaimahi and the Māori Wardens.

Wharepaku

There will be premium flushing portaloos with hand basins, including accessible ones. There are also two existing on site accessible public toilets. 

If you prefer to stay at home

If you live outside of Tāmaki Makaurau there may be events going on in your rohe so ask around! Otherwise, you can tune into Matariki Mā Puanga live from Tirorangi Marae in Okahune, hosted by mana whenua, Ngāti Rangi. The three-hour broadcast begins at 5.45am with a hautapu ceremony. It's then followed by explanations on the cultural history and importance of Matariki, regional reports from ceremonies across the motu, and kapa haka and music performances. You can watch or listen to this broadcast on Whakaata Māori, TVNZ 1, TVNZ+, Sky Open, PasifikaTV, Stuff, matariki.net.nz, RNZ and iwi radio.

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