Flying high for Matariki celebrations

• Published date: 23 June 2022
• Author: Sandra Conchie
• Publication title: Katikati Advertiser

In celebration of Matariki, the Tauranga City Libraries and the New Zealand Kite Fliers Association organised and presented the Matariki Kite on Sunday, June 19

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades which rise in the mid-winter and for some, heralds the start of the new year.

Kites are traditionally flown at Matariki both for fun and also to send messages to the gods, believing they connected heaven and earth.

John Russell, a 10-year-member of the NZ Kitefliers Association, estimated a crowd of 2000-strong attended and flew a number of kites, including an octopus one.

“I’m rapt by the turnout, including how many have come along with their own kites and how many kids wanted to make and fly their own,” he said.

“It’s really cool to see how people reacted when they saw all the kites up in the air.”

Russell said there were also association members from Rotorua, Wellington, Whanganui, Auckland and Northland.

Avid kite flier Scarlett, 7, was at the festival with her grandfather Roger Doddrell and 5-year-old sister Evangeline.

She said...