Te Whare o Poohutukawa

21 June - 21 July 2024

Open daily 10am to 5pm

Free

This digital interactive celebrates the connection between those who have passed away, those who remember them, and the night sky.

Come and write the name of your loved one on the touch-screen and watch as a new star joins our projection of the sparkling sky.

In Maaori tradition, Matariki is a time when those who have passed away in the past year are carried in Te Waka O Rangi. Their souls are then released into the sky to become stars. In the Matariki cluster, the star Poohutukawa is connected to remembrance and those who have died. Poohutukawa can be found at te tau ihu (the prow) of the constellation Te Waka O Rangi, leading the way.

Matariki at the Museum

Friday 21 June to Sunday 21 July 2024

Join us for free events, public talks, crafts, and more as we celebrate this special time of year. Maanawatia a Matariki! Find out more.

Presented with thanks to Matariki Ki Waikato Festival 2024 

Please note

For te reo Maaori, Waikato Museum uses double vowels (uu) in place of vowels with a macron (ū) to represent a long vowel sound. This spelling approach is the preference of tangata whenua in Hamilton Kirikiriroa and Waikato iwi for te reo Maaori words.