Day 6 - Activity 2

Activity 2: After visiting Shag Point, you hop back in the van and drive all the way up the east coast of the south island until you reach the town of Picton. You get out of the van and onto the Interislander ferry. It travels back across the Cook Strait to Wellington. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and every winter the city hosts a huge Matariki festival to celebrate the Maori New Year. This year part of the festival is being held at Te Papa, a big museum in Wellington.

Read about the Matariki festival at Te Papa.  There are so many different things to see and do at the festival this year. On your blog, tell us about three of the events. You can choose any three events that you wish.

1. Te Whare Mātoro: Haka fusion

Te whare Matoro were a maori community people based " houses" of entertainment for young people.  They were called the 'night club' of the village.  Young woman and men would contribute in entertainment known by the young people around the world. See the amazing performance young people as they used parts for traditional kapa haka which is known in maori action songs together with music,dance and theatre to create 'Haka fusion'

2.Tīramarama: Storytelling for kids

Tiramarama is a programme storytelling for the children.  Spoken in both Maori and English, the goal of the programme is to entertain and spread delightfulness amongst young ones of the family. 

A number of different  types of stories were told as stories of heroes, adventures and on wards but most importantly the story of Matariki and its appearance in the night sky. 

3.Matariki Fireworks

Wellington CIty council are lighting up the sky with outstanding fireworks showing all over the harbour.  The fire works will only be displayed for just 10 min.