The first Arrowtown Matariki Lights event was hailed as a success after thousands of people flocked to the town over the long weekend.
Nicky Busst, manager of Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association, said she was delighted to see so many people embracing the event, which began Friday afternoon and ended last night.
Along with waiata, kapa haka, fire dance, music and kai, Arrowtown’s historic buildings were illuminated by the South Island Light Orchestra, while astrophysicist Prof Brian Boyle proved to be one of the highlights of the event and stories about the Matariki grouping and Otago’s night sky to enchanted audiences.
The weather was also on the organizers’ side, with cool evening temperatures but clear skies and sunshine for yesterday’s market day.
“It really brought the community together and I met so many people from all parts of New Zealand who have heard of it and want to know more about Matariki, or came down because they have some kind of commitment here,” she said. Busst said.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said the celebration came at a wonderful time for people after more than two years of separating loved ones.
“Matariki is a time for renewal, reflection and celebration of our connection with each other, our whanau and our wonderful environment.
“It is a time for hope … It is also a time for us to reflect and acknowledge the contribution of our ancestors who paved the way for our way of life in this wonderful part of the world,” he said. said.
Ms Busst said there would be some adjustments to next year’s event – but expanding it was not part of the plan.
If anything, she hoped to make it slightly smaller to keep the focus on Matariki, she said.