June 2022: Matariki Gate, Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori – "happy Matariki" in te reo Māori.

Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar which marks the start of the Māori New Year.

Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.

newzealand.com

We came into the city's main street to draw the Matariki Gate - Te Wehenga. The gateway marks the point where the land once met the sea. Each side of the gate tells a different story:

• Face the gate looking down Queen Street, towards the sea, there are creatures of the harbour or moana on the waharoa (the blue side).
• Face up Queen Street and you look towards the land or whenua. Plants and birds cover the face of the waharoa (the green side).

Te Wehenga is part of a larger art walk by Auckland Council, Heart of the City, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and talented artists to celebrate Matariki: Māori New Year.

The Auckland chapter of Urban Sketchers scattered up and down Queen Street – some drawing towards the sea, and others drawing towards the land. The street was busy on Saturday with many stopping to watch us draw.

Get set to walk the footsteps of centuries past, feel the depth of our Matariki kaupapa and witness it in contemporary form. It’s all part of Matariki ki te Manawa - Matariki at the heart. OurAuckland

See more detailed photos and artwork in the Urban Sketchers Auckland Facebook album for Matariki ki te Manawa's Big Draw.