Lighting up Matariki celebrations

Jacabeth Bartlett-McBride (left) helps Mia Atkinson (both 15) make her first lantern which will be used as part of Invercargill’s Matariki celebrations next month.

It was Mia’s first time making a lantern and said she thought the experience was quite fun.

"It is good to do stuff to help others."

While Jacabeth said the star shape she was creating related to th reappearance of a cluster of stars known as Matariki, or Pleiades, in the winter sky before dawn.

This year’s Invercargill Matariki Light Festival runs from July 2 to 6 at Queens Park.