Dawn Wishes to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi

Gathering to mark the opening of the Matariki Festival 2023, we invite you to join us for fire, karakia and kai.

The wishes, hopes and prayers that have been tied to Penny Howard’s whai installation by visitors to the group exhibition Ngā Whetū will be collected for a special dawn ceremony, followed by light refreshments.

During the time when the Matariki cluster is visible in the sky, we will burn all the gathered wishes, sending them up to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi to be granted as part of this morning ceremony.

We're expecting a chilly morning under the stars, so please dress for the cold and bring a warm blanket if you wish. Donations of new / pre-loved blankets in excellent condition will be accepted for the Give a Kid a Blanket Warm for Winter Appeal - so if you would like to contribute your blanket to that cause you can.

Any wishes written after this event will be ceremoniously burned after the Ngā Whetū exhibition has closed by artist and co-curator, Penny Howard.