Enjoy New Zealand Holidays during the Famous Matariki Festival in July!

New Zealand Dance by New Zealand Dance/ CC BY

New Zealand Dance by New Zealand Dance/ CC BY

Holidays to the thrilling holiday destination, New Zealand is suddenly getting popular and hotter than ever before. And the entire credit goes to the fast approaching Matariki Festival. This amazing international festival is already underway from 28th June 2014 but travellers are still scrambling for deals on flight tickets to New Zealand to at least enjoy the final part of it that takes place in July end. This much renowned event of New Zealand is celebrated with utmost excitement and zeal as it marks the beginning of Māori New Year. The distinct belief behind this extravagant gala event is that during this time of the year the star cluster Matariki, better known as the Pleiades, appears in the dawn sky above Aotearoa New Zealand. However, Matarik has now revived as a celebration of culture, people, language, history and spirituality.

The theme for this year’s edition is ‘kaitiakitanga’ (guardianship), which gives the visitors an amazing opportunity to think about their individual roles. The Matariki Festival, often famed as one of the best cultural festivals of New Zealand, will see the city come alive with some incredible live music performances, poetry, family events, Kapa Haka, theatre, dance and art. All these events are sure to leave holidaymakers gloating over their decision to grab air tickets aboard flights to be in New Zealand just in time. Moreover, the celebrations of this festival are not only restricted to just one region or city rather it is celebrated throughout kiwi land with same enthusiasm. Wellington’s famous museum, Te Papa hosts Matariki celebrations, featuring 25-day programme that includes talks, astronomy sessions and concerts.

The Puaka Matariki Festival, a prominent carnival of the South Island is held in Dunedin in the month of July. The fest witnesses many spellbinding celebrations and events that include storytelling, lantern parades, contemporary dance, whānau ‘have a go’ sessions and a midwinter carnival. Other renowned performances that promise to keep the visitors entertained are Matariki on The Move, He Wai, Tree Planting, Mana Wahine, Vessels of New Life, Hike Bike Auto and Mata Ariki. Matariki is all about exhibiting your best and getting involved!!