Otago Museum is inviting the Otago community to send through photographs and details of their loved ones who have died since June last year.
These photos will be projected on the outside of the museum as part of a digital artwork to commemorate Matariki.
The ceremony would be led by mana whenua, with a karakia, waiata and a kapa haka by award-winning group He Waka Kōtuia, as well as a free shared breakfast.
Thousands gathered at the museum last year during Matariki to see the photographs of their loved ones.
Among them was Quinn Hawthorne, who attended the ceremony to support his fiancee.
He was excited to return a second time and seize the opportunity himself to remember his late grandfather, who died towards the end of last year.
"It’s so cool because you got to see all the people who passed on the wall. It was very reflective - not sad - to have all those people there,’’ Mr Hawthorne said.
"It’s very special to be able to have that for my family this year.’’
He was told they shared a striking resemblance and were just as cheeky.
Mr Hawthorne did not think the public ceremony diminished the personal significance, but actually made it more important.
"Everyone else at the ceremony, you might not know them, but you all are sharing this common feeling.’’
"It’s nice to have another public holiday, but being part of the ceremony makes it have more weight.
"It’s not just another day off, especially when your sharing it with family and other people of the community.’’
Members of the public can submit images of family or friends on the museum website by next Wednesday.
The event starts at July 14 at 6.45am at the Museum Reserve.
Celebrations will continue for the rest of the day, and include kite-making workshops, taonga puoro displays and demonstrations, storytelling, Matariki-themed planetarium shows and a special makerspace where families can make a bullroarer and other crafts.
