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19 June - 26 July
Matariki ki Waikato is here, and there is lots on during the festival being held 19 June to 26 July.
See what’s on in the central city below:
WINTEC Student Exhibition
Friday 19 June | Opens at 4.30pm
Te Whare Toi o Kirikiriroa - 52 Alexandra Street
This exhibition features selected works from the Bachelor of Contemporary Art programme at Wintec curated by its aakonga.
Opening Preview: Thursday 19th June from 4.30pm
Exhibition runs until 28th June 10am – 2pm
Discover Te Paataka
Monday 6 July | 10am – 12pm and
Matariki at Te Paataka
6 – 16 July
Hamilton Central Library – 9 Garden Place
Come along to Te Paataka, the new interactive art installation that weaves together Maaori narratives, the natural environment, and the role of libraries as a storehouse of knowledge.
Sign up for one of the 18 workshops or just pop in and enjoy the vibe.
For more information visit hamiltonlibraries.co.nz
Ash and Aperture
An exhibition by Dave Austin and Mark Hamilton
Opening 8 July | 4.30pm
Exhibition 9 July – 14 August
Ramp Gallery, Wintec Hamilton City Campus
This exhibition brings together the photographer Mark Hamilton with the ceramicist Dave Austin to celebrate friendship and collaboration at Matariki. Dave’s work is drawn from the elements, whenua, ahi, wai. For this project Dave is collaborating with his long-time friend, Mark, to use photography to show how these large-scale pieces relate to the body and nature.
Maanawatia a Matariki: Storytime Concert
10 July | 11am
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Entry by koha
Orchestras Central presents a special children’s story time concert for Matariki ki Waikato Festival.
Gather your Tamariki or mokopuna and let the music carry you. Maanawatia a Matariki weaves the ancient voices of taonga puoro with soaring strings to tell a breathtaking Maaori story of creation and celebrate the joyful songs of the birds who fill our skies.
Learn more about Matariki, the Maaori new year, and the different instruments that make up a a string quartet in a fascinating and compelling programme of music.
Featuring Kulios, Koroheke Robb, and Sebastian Lowe.
Whiti
11 July | 6.30-8pm
Zeal Hamilton Youth Centre
Whiti returns in 2026 as an open community talent showcase, providing a platform for rangatahi to step into the spotlight and share their talents with the wider community. As part of Matariki ki Waikato 2026, Whiti invites young people to come prepared with a performance and take the stage in a supportive, welcoming, and family friendly environment. |
Whiti Zeal Hamilton Youth Centre Friends, whānau, schools, and community members are encouraged to attend and support the performers, creating an atmosphere of encouragement, celebration, and belonging. Whether it is waiata, dance, spoken word, poetry, music, cultural performance, comedy, storytelling, or something uniquely their own, Whiti celebrates the creativity, confidence, and diversity of rangatahi across Waikato. More than a showcase, this event is an opportunity for rangatahi to build confidence, express themselves, connect with others, and gain experience performing in front of a live audience.
Friends, whānau, schools, and community members are encouraged to attend and support the performers, creating an atmosphere of encouragement, celebration, and belonging. Whether it is waiata, dance, spoken word, poetry, music, cultural performance, comedy, storytelling, or something uniquely their own, Whiti celebrates the creativity, confidence, and diversity of rangatahi across Waikato. More than a showcase, this event is an opportunity for rangatahi to build confidence, express themselves, connect with others, and gain experience performing in front of a live audience. Performance opportunities are limited, with a set number of showcase slots available on the night. Participants must register in advance and will be allocated a maximum performance time. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis and may close once all performance spaces have been filled.
There is so much more waiting for you across the festival. Download the festival booklet and plan your next city visit: matarikiwaikato.nz
