Puanga Matariki and thinking big

Published on 02 June 2025

Last week was the official start of the Puanga Matariki festivities, where the rising of the Matariki star cluster signals the end of the past year and dawn of the new year. 

This celebration is about remembering the past, celebrating today and looking forward to tomorrow. Just like we did a couple of weekends ago, with the opening of the Tikipunga Sports Hub.

Many of the patrons have been there since the hub’s inception and, as we stood together, we remembered the time and effort that each one of those people put into that place. 

We celebrated by playing ‘walking football’ (something very new to me!) and we looked forward to the growth of football, cricket and rugby in the fast-developing Tikipunga area.

Thinking big

As a nation, we can also look back to the ‘Think Big’ projects, which were infrastructure projects of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s governments. We had two of those projects here in Northland: Marsden Point A and B, the refinery and the (unused) power station. 

Many well-known local businesses here in Northland were involved in, or started from, those projects, such as Culham Engineering and McKay Electrical. 

As technology moves on, and many of us still feel the hurt from losing these ‘Think Big’ projects, it's important to celebrate and reflect on the employment opportunities that came during that time. 

By looking forward to the four-laning, the port expansion, the dry dock, the energy bridge – all projects that will benefit the whole country, just like the refinery did. These individual projects, when joined together, paint a whole new economic future for Northland. 

Just think of the tourism that will be generated by having every international ship come into our harbour to be cleaned and repaired before they travel around the country. 

Just think of the homes that will be developed as people have the ability to live in Northland and commute to Auckland. 

Just think of the power generation that’s currently happening all over Northland, providing energy resilience to the entire country. 

Just think about the agricultural and horticultural expertise that we have up here, being shared with the rest of the nation and the world, via the new four-lane expressway and port expansion projects.

The three district councils of Northland are right now planning and working on how to deliver those big projects, while deliberating on the future of our water, sewerage and stormwater systems. 

It’s about getting our Northland councils working together to be as resilient as possible for all who live here.

With the port, the energy, the road and the dry dock – all of this is on the cards for Northland’s growth.

Puanga Matariki festivities

Growing up in Northland, with family and friends involved in farming and horticulture (including growing kumara in Kaipara), I know that these months are the right time of year to celebrate the family connections we have, to rest and plan for our future. 

Puanga Matariki has developed into a major festival in our District, featuring cultural events held by community groups, marae, clubs, libraries, and many others spread over the months of June and July. 

It’s a time when the people of Whangārei come together for a genuine celebration of culture, heritage and community. Most importantly, it’s a time for joy, remembrance and peace.    

For it’s not until you remember where we’ve been, celebrate where we are today and plan for the future that hope can shine through.

I look forward to seeing you all at the events coming up.

Puanga Matariki Festival