An illuminated work at the 2023 Tīrama Mai festival. Photo: Kirk Hargreaves
Illuminated artworks, musical soundscapes, lightboxes, and interactive installations are back in Christchurch to celebrate Matariki until the end of June.
This year's Tīrama Mai festival coincides with the rise of the star Puaka and the constellation Matariki and signals Te Tau Hou - the new year in the Māori calendar.
The Matariki star cluster, made up of nine stars, is not always visible everywhere in New Zealand.
In the South Island, the brighter star Puaka (also known as Puanga or Rigel), which rises earlier, is often celebrated instead.
Both Puaka and Matariki signify a time for gathering, reflecting on the past year and remembering those who have passed.
The annual light festival, formerly known as Botanic D'lights, returned to the city in a new location after outgrowing its previous host, the Botanic Gardens.
Christchurch City Council's principal arts advisor Kiri Jarden said this year's festival was in response to increasing calls from the community to mark the holiday.
"The celebration part is something that the community actually has called for in the past," she said.
During the development of Toi Ōtautahi, the city's arts strategy, and the Community Events Implementation Plan, Matariki was identified as an event for which the community wanted increased support, Jarden said.
After outgrowing the gardens, the team took a year off to plan something bigger and better.
Jarden said this year's installations were a mix of old and new.
"Along with some large light works that we've had for a few years now, we've got some new interesting projections and collaboration between local companies and designers.
"We've got some interactive works down by Riverside and a new work from Zoe Hall, which is a large inflatable at the Art Centre."
Jarden said she had three highlights from this year's festival.
"Those beautiful portals that are a collaboration between Ariki and Pixel, one of the new projection works in the Art Centre is beautifully realised, and I'm a big fan of Zoe Hall's artwork, so it's really great to have one of her pieces here," she said.
Tīrama Mai festival opened on 21 June at the Arts Centre, with installations along Worcester Boulevard, at Riverside Market, and near Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre by the Ōtakaro Avon River.
The displays are lit from 5pm to 10pm and entrance is free.
