Matariki kite day celebrates 10th anniversary

Participants in the workshop making manu tukutuku. Photo by Kai Creighton

As Matariki month drew to a close, Hamilton Gardens hosted its 10th annual Matariki kite day.

This July 26th, the sky at Turtle Lake Hill was full of rainbow kites catching wind, some high enough to be nothing but specks in the distance. Despite the winter chill, plenty of families turned out to enjoy a sausage sizzle and a free kite. 600 free kites were available as part of the event.

Alongside flying kites, this event also allowed tamariki to craft traditional manu tukutuku (kites) made from natural fibre. These kites were decorative, rather than designed to be flown, and were constructed from reeds harvested from the swamp.

Annacasey Cox, a Hamilton city councilor on the festival board, was there to help guide tamariki on how to make the kites. 

She said that kites have been used traditionally by Māori for both practical and spiritual purposes. A kite being flown could be used to indicate a meeting was taking place, for example. A kite also symbolizes a connection to the gods, with the string connecting the heavens and earth.

Kites are also flown recreationally, and to celebrate Matariki.

This event was mostly geared towards young children, but other events such as the rangatahi ball and kaumātua ball were held by the council this month to ensure everyone could be included in the celebration regardless of age range.

The event was run in collaboration with the friends of the Hamilton gardens.