Matariki offers a lot of things to do in Rotorua these school holidays

The Rotorua Matariki celebrations continue throughout the school holidays with activities for all tastes

The Rotorua Matariki Museum's activity trail takes place during the school holidays.

This free trail can be collected at Rotorua's iSite on Fenton St and allows families to explore the Government Gardens and learn more about Matariki

All participations are going to in the draw of a Matariki prize pack at the end of the holidays

Tori Williams, event coordinator of the Rotorua Museum, said the nine questions on the track of activity related to the nine stars that make up the starry constellation Matariki, also known as the Pleiades.

Some questions will have families looking in government gardens while others include finds, drawings and seasons. "It's a great free activity to take the kids outside during the holidays and learn more about Matariki in a fun way."

Families can also take a Road map of The Arts Village, with the Rotorua Museum team running free crafts.

From 10am to 2pm, every day of the week can make a Matariki kite to bring home

People are invited to bring the kites to Te Iwa o Matariki Whānau Day and make them fly along the big matariki kites of McCully Kites

"With the weather a little colder, being creative on the inside is a great activity for the whole family."

In addition to kite-making, there will be coloring sheets for the youngest

Williams says: "The matariki celebrations continue to grow each year in Rotorua and it is important to understand the significance of this special period of time. 39, year. "

" When Matariki reappears in our skies from dawn, around June or July each year, he announces the beginning of Te Tau Hou Māori – Maori New Year

"Matariki is the Opportunity to meet with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future. "

Other activities Discover the exhibition Ngā Purapura o Matariki – The Seeds of Matariki at the Arts Village.

This exhibition presents a variety of works by local Maori artists exploring their own perspectives of Matariki

. Cian Elyse White, curator of Arts Village, was delighted with the local talent that entered the exhibition

"The exhibition was an exciting platform for local Maori artists to share their talents." 19659002 "We have harakeke, muka, mask carvings.It is a wonderful time to celebrate and bring up these wonderful artists and their works."

Rotorua artist Anna Hayes also created an installation of Matariki sound and sound art appealing to the village, which will be there until the end of the school holidays.

The annual event Color the Night takes place Thursday from 17h to 20h

The evening invites people to warm up and explore the downtown core, enlivened by music, art, performance and light.Three local restaurants have been busy creating dishes featuring the indigenous Maori cuisine for the Ngā Kai Contest at Matariki – Matariki Foods.

Fifty community judges will taste all three dishes at the Rotorua Farmers Market on Sunday and will announce the winning hotel receiving a specially created trophy.

Te Iwa o Matariki Whānau Day is the closing event of Rotorua Matariki celebrations and welcomes the community to enjoy activities, entertainment and kai on Satu. Friday, July 21 from 10 am to 3 pm

He will be at Telly Tubby Hill in the government gardens.

For more information, visit www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/matariki2018.