City celebrates Matariki at park

Trees sparkled and there was a plentiful supply of food from trucks, but it was really the drones that drew crowds to Dunedin’s Logan Park.

They flew in various patterns on Saturday night to help convey a story about Matariki, the star cluster associated with the Māori new year.

John Parkin was there with his wife Joyce and children Abigail, 5, and Noah, 2.

Having moved from Auckland to Dunedin, they watched the drones’ light show last year and came back on Saturday for another look.

Mr Parkin said Abigail had learnt about Matariki at both daycare and school and developed quite a good understanding.

​​​​​​Arlo Henry, 9, had also learnt about Matariki at school.

He and his mother, Mel Henry, were awaiting the drones’ show on Saturday night.

"It’s nice that it’s free and to celebrate Matariki," Mrs Henry said.

St Peter Chanel School in Green Island had a Matariki breakfast on Thursday, she said.

Ann Goodwillie had travelled to Dunedin from Timaru in recent days for her grandson’s 12th birthday.

She went along to Logan Park with whānau and said she had had a lovely time in Dunedin.

The show was put together by Drone Sky Shows in collaboration with mana whenua and cultural advisers.

Entertainment through the evening included performances by 1 Drop Nation, kapa haka by He Waka Kōtuia and the sounds of taonga pūoro — traditional Māori musical instruments.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz