Where to celebrate Matariki this July

Some of our favourite locals are getting behind Matariki this year, with a whole host of scrumptious celebrations. Here are seven places in Auckland where you can enjoy the festivities.

Matariki signals the start of the Māori New Year. It's a time of renewal, rejuvenation, change and celebration, that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters). To kick off this year's festivities, a handful of our favourite eateries and addresses are getting behind Matariki. Here are seven delicious places around Auckland where you can celebrate.

1. Matariki with Coco's Cantina
Our favourite K-road haunt will be serving up a whole host of delicious Matariki offerings come Monday, July 9. With scrumptious dinner and vino offerings for as little as $65, storytelling by Pita Turei and a scrumptious showcase of home-grown Māori producers, there's no better excuse to park up and settle in at Coco's on a school night. For details, visit their website here.

2. Te Korakora On Federal
Call in to Al Brown's Depot for dinner and watch the festivities unfold during the final weekend of Matariki. Dance the night away while enjoying a stellar line-up of local music talent, including Annie Crummer, Che Fu, Ria Hall, Tawaroa Kawana, Waxed Crew Collective and more. Te Korakora on Federal is the perfect way to see out the celebrations. For more, see here.

3. Voices of my Tupuna, Ponsonby Central
For one week only, Ponsonby Central will showcase works by contemporary Māori artist Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander. Grab a burger at our favourite post, and gaze at Bronwyn's extensive photographic collection. Her high quality digital prints are acknowledgement of the memory and mana of her Tūpuna. This is a unique opportunity to meet the artist outside of the traditional gallery context. For details, see here.

4. Devonport's Matariki Progressive Dinner, Devonport
Snap up one of the only 60 seats available in this progressive dinner that will see you literally travelling down Devonport's dining corridor tasting four of our leading restaurants Matariki Dishes. Participating restaurants including Hemingways, Vondel, Vic Road Kitchen, Dixie Browns, Devon on the Wharf and Devonport Chocolates. For more details and dates, see here.

5. Feast for People with Disabilities, Titirangi
Get behind this incredible initiative and take part in a special Matariki cooking event especially for people with disabilities. Join the Arataki Visitor Centre and members of the community for a short hīkoi (walk), waiata (song), kēmu (games) and kai (food) to celebrate this Matariki. For more, see here.

6. Vector Lights at Auckland's Viaduct
Take full advantage of the Viaduct's plentiful eatery options and enjoy the Vector Lights from the best possible vantage point. From 6pm to 11pm each night from Saturday 30th June to 22nd July, Viaduct Harbour’s sea walls will glow with warm hues of the Matariki sunrise at dawn. On the eastern sea wall, the effect of stars echo the Matariki constellation seen rising in the sky from the north east. Vector Lights will see the Auckland Harbour Bridge illuminated on select nights during Matariki, telling a story that reflects on the past and ahead to the future. To learn more, see here.

7. Matariki Gourmet Hāngi with entertainment by Tiki Taane and Laughton Kora, The Grounds, Henderson
Bringing together the best of New Zealand food and music to create an incredible Matariki celebration on Sunday, July 15, join The Ground's Ben Bayly and hangi master Rewi Spraggon for a feast unlike any other.  Enjoy a gourmet hangi followed by an intimate performance by Tiki Taane and Laughton Kora. Festivities will kick off at 4.30pm, with tickets strictly limited. Enjoy a glass of Boundary Road Pilsner or Huia bubbles on arrival, and soak up the tunes throughout the evening. This is one offering you're not going to want to miss. To learn more, visit The Grounds' website right here.