Hot on the heels of a successfully completed Matariki 2025 festival of events, Ōpōtiki District Council’s isite and events team are thrilled to learn the festival has been selected as a finalist in the New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) Event Awards.

It is the second year in a row the Matariki festival has been a finalist.

The annual awards celebrate the innovation, creativity, and resilience of New Zealand’s event industry.

At last year’s NZEA event, the Matariki Festival 2023 gained top honours in the category: Best Community or Not For Profit Event with under 3000 Attendees.

Council experience and engagement manager Joseph Hayes said when the festival began in 2018, it was a small, one-day event designed to bring some life and connection to the winter months.

“To see how it has grown into a vibrant, multi-week celebration that reflects our culture, creativity, and community is incredibly special,” he said.

“Being announced as a finalist in the NZEA Event Awards, alongside incredible events like the Auckland Diwali Festival, the Tainui Waka Kapa Haka Festival, and the Masters Hockey World Cup, is a testament to the hard work and support of so many people over the years.”

Experience and engagement co-ordinator Iranui Huriwai said it is an absolute honour to be nominated again this year.

“Our team works incredibly hard alongside our community to ensure the Ōpōtiki Matariki Festival shines brightly. Getting top honours last year and named as finalist again this year, among some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best events, is truly amazing.

“The 2024 festival was a real celebration of our community here in Ōpōtiki. We had a time capsule burial filled with mementoes from local businesses and schools, the enchanting Hukutaia Domain Night Walk, waka ama with our local club at Ōhiwa, and He Aro Ki Ngā Whetu stargazing and workshops at Waiaua Marae.

“The Matariki Pacific Pulse event was an electrifying celebration that brought together our Pacific communities in a joyous commemoration of both the Solomon Islands Independence Day and Matariki. It was a perfect way to end the festival with unity, culture, and a vibrant sense of community.

“It was amazing to see a huge level of community support from organisers, sponsors, and those turning up to the events. Last year, we saw some of the biggest crowds engaging with mātauranga Māori and celebrating Matariki through our events.

“Some of the organisations that helped in the delivery of events in the 2024 festival include Sport BOP, EBOP Primary Schools Sport Association, Mataatua Sports, Kura Ki Tai Waka Ama Club, Motu Trails Charitable Trust, Pacific Communities Trust, Hukutaia Domain Care Group, Ōpōtiki Deluxe Theatre, Waiaua Marae, Ngati Patumoana Hapu, Ko Kollective Trust, and Ōpōtiki Golf Club.

“The Matariki festival is a cultural celebration of Ōpōtiki, and the recognition we receive from being finalists belongs to everyone who makes this event possible,” Ms Huriwai said.

Head to the Opotikinz website to stay up to date with all the events and activities in Ōpōtiki.