Matariki Trilogy III: From the Museum to the People
Trilogy III builds on the momentum of the previous two exhibitions, extending their narratives into the community. With the support of valued collaborators, Whangārei Museum is removing barriers to access by delivering this kaupapa across multiple venues throughout the city this winter.
This trilogy was created to explore the meaning and relevance of Matariki, acknowledging that for many in our community, this important marker in the calendar is still relatively new as a public holiday.
Notably, the museum's archives initially held no direct reference to Matariki, prompting a deeper exploration.
Matariki (the Pleiades star cluster), approximately 400 light years from Earth, is one of the most storied constellations across cultures worldwide.
In this final instalment, artefacts from the Whangārei Museum Collection take centre stage, travelling beyond the museum walls to reach new audiences, spark dialogue, and generate new kōrero grounded in these taonga.
A beautifully designed 16-page Matariki resource, which has been developed by the museum will be available to take home for a koha.
Exhibition components
The Space Lens (2024)
Featuring the work of Northland-born astronomer Charles Michie, this section presents striking lantern slides capturing the night sky.
Michie's work - spanning comets, solar flares, eclipses, planets, and the Matariki cluster - reflects a pioneering spirit that reached global recognition.
Visitors are invited to reflect on curiosity, passion, and the local stories that connect to global discovery.
Te Ao Māori Lens (2025)
This component showcases taonga that embody the stories and significance of Matariki.
Through tools, adornments, and imagery, visitors are encouraged to look beyond the physical to engage with the layered histories and cultural narratives these objects hold.
These are living taonga, carrying the voices and wisdom of ancestors, of which we are kaitiaki.
Community Lens (2026)
The final instalment brings the exhibition into the heart of the community, offering free events across accessible city venues.
This approach ensures wider participation while enabling the museum to gather new insights, reflections, and stories to enrich its living archive.
Through this travelling exhibition, Whangārei Museum seeks to deepen understanding of both the astronomical and cultural significance of Matariki. It invites audiences to reflect on their own connections to the cosmos while fostering curiosity, exploration, and community connection.
This trilogy culminates in a celebration of unity and diversity - bridging past, present, and future. It is an invitation to journey through time and space, where shared stories, art, and knowledge become part of a living narrative that spans generations.
This is more than an exhibition; it's a community gathering, a cultural exchange, and a tribute to the enduring spirit of exploration that Matariki inspires in us all.
It weaves together curiosity, respect, and the universal human desire to understand our place in the universe, honouring Matariki as a guiding light for both reflection and discovery.
Accessibility information: mobility parking, wheelchair access and accessible toilets.
When
-
Wednesday, 24 June 2026 | 09:00 AM
- 01:00 PM
Location
Te Puawananga, Whangārei Central Library, 5 Rust Avenue, Whangārei, 0110, View Map
-35.724127,174.3177607
Whangārei Central Library, 5 Rust Avenue ,
Whangārei 0110
Te Puawananga
Whangārei Central Library, 5 Rust Avenue ,
Whangārei 0110
Matariki Trilogy III: From the Museum to the People