Stretching across the Wānaka lakefront’s Dinosaur Park and Roys Bay Reserve, the event drew in more than 2000 people eager to make the most of both the public holiday and the final day of the school holidays.
A stage hosted kapa haka performances from local schools and community groups, and the retelling of local Maori history and legends by storyteller and kaumatua Darren Rewi.
After dark, attendees were treated to a light show as well as fire dancers on the lakefront.
A hangi prepared to serve more than 500 people was also on offer with the proceeds going to support the Kahu Youth Trust’s work with youth in the Upper Clutha area.
Operations director for Kahu Youth Anna Sutherland said the day had gone "really, really well".
"Kahu Youth Trust has been presenting Matariki, the event down here at the waterfront, for thirteen years. So it’s a very, very special event for our community and really important on our calendar."
The trust collaborated with local environmental groups to create activities aimed at educating the event’s younger attendees on the meaning of each of the nine stars that make the Te Kahui o Matariki cluster.
Mr Rewi said the event was "a good opportunity to celebrate whanau and community", and reflective of a bright future for the new public holiday.
"It’s been a great day. It’s awesome to see the young kids up there performing, And that’s the generation that will come through and make Matariki an epic holiday.
"I think the only thing that worries us is it’s so warm. For the middle of winter, the winter solstice, I think it’s six, seven degrees today. So that’s always a worry."
