12/06/2026
🌟 MANAWATIA A MATARIKI, WAIROA! 🌟
What a night.
Without a doubt, this was one of the biggest and best Matariki celebrations Wairoa has seen yet. From the moment the gates opened until the final fireworks lit up the sky, our community came together to celebrate, connect, remember and look forward.
We estimate that around 1,500 people joined us throughout the evening, creating an atmosphere that was truly special. Seeing tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and kaumātua all enjoying the kaupapa together is exactly what Matariki is about.
A huge thank you to our event partners and sponsors who helped make this possible. Sport Hawke’s Bay Wairoa HOP Team, CLM, Wairoa Community Centre, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, the Department of Internal Affairs, Wairoa Taiwhenua, and Te Puni Kōkiri. Your support allows events like this to happen for our community.
Special thanks also to our incredible volunteers who stayed behind to help clean up. Your contribution is appreciated.
To our MC, Chaans Tumataroa-Clarke, thank you for bringing energy, humour and heart to the evening. You kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.
To all of our performers, thank you for sharing your talents with us. You were absolutely awesome. From the music and entertainment to the cultural performances, you helped create an atmosphere that was vibrant, uplifting and uniquely Wairoa. The crowd loved every minute of it.
A very special acknowledgement goes to His Worship Mayor Craig Little, who presented a taonga to Te Rangi Huata of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated. Te Rangi has been the driving force behind Matariki celebrations in Wairoa for many years. Without his dedication, passion and commitment to this kaupapa, we simply would not have the special Matariki celebrations that our community enjoys today.
We also acknowledge the wider Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated team who travelled to Wairoa and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support the kaupapa.
To our vendors, thank you for providing great kai, products and experiences. To our sound, technology and fireworks crews, thank you for creating a memorable experience. To our Parakore team, security staff and clean-up crews, thank you for helping ensure the event was safe, welcoming and environmentally responsible.
And finally, thank you to our community. Your participation, smiles, laughter and support are what make events like this worthwhile.
Wairoa showed up, celebrated together and made memories that will last well beyond Matariki.
Mānawatia a Matariki. ✨
