7 Stars of Matariki

The 7 Stars of Matariki, Arts Event at The Box, 47 Buick St, Petone, Friday 1July – Sat 9 July. Is a celebration of Matariki/Maori New Year in the Hutt Valley.

Produced by the Baggage Co-op, 7 Stars of Matariki is an arts extravaganza featuring:

  • Friday 1st July 7pm Star Tales. Share a cup of soup as Richard Hall of Stonehenge Aotearoa introduces audiences to the star lore of Matariki and the Winter Solstice.
  • Saturday 2nd July 7pm Tales Tall and True   Seven storytellers from the Wellington region will delight audiences with their diverse tales Featuring Hera Black, Ralph Johnson, Caroline Waltz, Judith Jones, Tony Hopkins, Linda Bremford and Moira Wairama.
  • Sunday 3rd July 2pm Play Reading.  A unique opportunity to attend a first reading of the play “Rona and Rabbit in the Moon” by award winning playwright Whiti Hereaka.
  • Sunday 3rd July 6pm Words, Wine and Song  Enjoy a cup of mulled wine and the performances of an eclectic group of poets, singers and musicians from throughout the Hutt Valley and Wellington. Featuring poets Alice Te Punga Somerville, Maraea Rakuraku, Lewis Scott, Manea Pasilio, Miria George and Mike Eager and singers Stephanie Casey, Mandy Scanlon, Rawiri and Joseph Hirini.
  • Wednesday 6th - Saturday 9th July 7pm Te Haerenga, a journey of identity. Set against the backdrop of New Zealand and world history and incorporating such diverse topics as the revival of the Maori language, the black civil rights movement in America, the woman’s movement and the changing role of New Zealand males, Te Haerenga interweaves three individual stories into one shared journey of New Zealand identity that will amuse, provoke, inspire and delight.

First premiered at Circa Theatre for the 2005 Fringe Festival this show has since been performed at Bats Theatre, Pataka Museum, Glistening Waters Festival in Masterton, The Pohutukawa Festival in Coromandel and most recently toured to Whakatane.  Featuring Ralph Johnson, Moira Wairama and Tony Hopkins.

  • Saturday 9th July 1pm Scary Sagas for Fearless Children.  Most suitable for children seven years and older , Scary Sagas is a collection of spine tingling tales from Maori, Native American and European folklore, told by renowned Wellington storytellers Tony Hopkins, Moira Wairama and Ralph Johnson. Audiences are invited to dress in their scariest outfits.

Also included is a one day storytelling workshop for adults Sat 2nd July and a number of school matinees.
Storytelling workshops Contact Caroline 934 0033 laflines@paradise.net.nz
School matinees Contact Mandy 568 3653 MandyS@xtra.co.nz

For full details of events check out www.bact.org.nz/panui

Baggage Co-op
In January 1996 Baggage Co-op was created in a large decrepit room at 2 Campbell Terrace, Petone under the umbrella of HVCA as part of the Wellington Fringe Festival.  Fifteen years and numerous awards later they return to Petone with their latest production, 7 Stars of Matariki an arts event that incorporates the co-op’s personal journey within a range of art mediums. For more information www.bact.org.nz/baggage

Main Contact Moira Wairama ph 563-8311 baggage@actrix.co.nz

Contact dates 8th-18th June Caroline Waltz ph 934 0033 laflines@paradise.net.nz