Disappointment: Matariki festival show canceled after funding cut

Organizers of the Bay of Islands Matariki Festival are frustrated its celebration is being scaled back due to budget cuts.

In previous years, the Department of Culture and Heritage has supported iwi, hapu and community groups to organize Matariki events across the country through its Matariki Ahunga Nui Fund.

But Matariki Pēwhairangi festival director Jackie Sanders said the festival was not informed that this funding would not be renewed.

“We sent emails and tried to contact them (the ministry). Then last week the funding page was quietly taken down.”

Sanders said the festival received $100,000 per year, for each of the two years Matariki’s funding was administered by the ministry.

She said the lack of this funding amounts to a 60 per cent cut in funding for the festival and they have been forced to cancel one of its most popular events, the Maori light and waka show Te Tau Hou.

More than 5,000 people attended the event in Paihia last year, which included a light show, waka and fireworks, organized around a story telling.

“It’s a shame this was not communicated as it could have given us the opportunity to find alternative funding or secure sponsorship.

“It’s frustrating because people are really looking forward to it and we felt like we were starting a tradition.”

Sanders said the event had been a welcome tourism boost for the area over the winter period and she hoped to bring it back in future years.

“This event gave people a reason to come north to celebrate.

“We suffered longer than other areas from extreme weather events and the reopening of the main road (to Northland) in May, just before Matariki.”

The ministry said it informed organizations on May 24 that it would not provide funding this year, but that the Māori Ministry of Development would distribute grants for Matariki events.

“The ministry has streamlined the way the government supports Matariki by partnering with Te Puni Kōkiri. Te Puni Kōkiri distributes Matariki funding to communities on behalf of the ministry through the long-standing Te Pū Harakeke Fund rather than through a separate fund managed by Manatū Taonga. .

“Te Puni Kōkiri is currently working with communities to distribute funding for Matariki. Funding for Matariki events is questionable and who receives funding varies from year to year.”

The Matariki Pēwhairangi festival, which Sanders referred to only as Te tai Tokerau, had been going on for four years, before Matariki became an official public holiday.

More than 10,000 people attended festival events in 2023.

Despite funding challenges, Sanders said he is proud of the festival he has planned.

There were more than 20 events and experiences for whānau to enjoy, including the Matariki Dawn Cruise where tohunga guide participants to witness the rise of Matariki and Puanga.

“The events are enjoyed by Māori and non-Māori alike. Those unfamiliar with the traditions can experience and learn.”

The festival begins on June 21 and ends on July 14.