Stars come out for Matariki

Dancers (from left) Corban Brown, Rina Keogh, Moana-Roa Callaghan, Zaine Akuhata-Huntington, Lucy Marshall and Te Whatumanawa Ngatai Tangirua perform at the Hahakaranga - Te Whanau o Matariki event at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum yesterday.

The Puaka Matariki Festival event, the final one of the New Zealand International Science Festival, packed the Toitu auditorium with about 250 people.

Storytellers Olly Ohlson and Metiria Turei told the story of Maori astronomy, and the importance of the stars in allowing Maori to navigate their way to New Zealand, while the Ake Ake Theatre Company and children from Macandrew Bay School told the story in dance.