Mānawatia a Matariki: A Night of Light, Song & Whānau in Queenstown
On June 19th, the Queenstown Memorial Centre became something special — filled with light, laughter, and the warmth of community. Brought together by the incredible team at Mana Tahuna, we gathered to celebrate Matariki not just as a cultural event, but as a time to pause, reflect, and enjoy being together.
The space was softly lit and welcoming, with locals, whānau, and familiar faces filling the room. There was a real feeling of togetherness — people greeting each other, chatting over kai, and settling in for a night of connection.
The interactive Matariki quiz was a hit — sparking laughs, learning, and friendly competition. It was one of those moments where everyone leaned in, got involved, and enjoyed being part of something shared.
But the heart of the evening came with the performance by The Harmonic Resonators. Their mix of beautiful harmonies, humour, Te Reo Māori, and genuine connection lit up the stage — and the whole room. Toddlers danced in the aisles, kaumātua tapped their feet, and everyone else smiled, sang, and soaked up the joy.
It was also lovely to see so many community leaders in the room — including the Mayor, members of the QLDC Community Partnerships team, Catalyst Trust, QLDC Libraries, Māori Women’s Welfare League, and others who work quietly behind the scenes to support this community. Coming together to celebrate something so special made the night even more meaningful.
Big thanks to Mana Tahuna for organising such a heartfelt and uplifting evening. It reminded us how powerful it is when people come together — to remember, to reconnect, and to celebrate what unites us.
Mānawatia a Matariki. Wishing peace, connection, and abundance for the year ahead!
