LateRooms.com - Get Involved with the Matariki Festival in Auckland

    AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, May 14, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Anyone booking Auckland hotels in June may find that their visit coincides with the Matariki Festival, a month-long event which marks the Maori New Year.

Starting on June 14th and running until July 14th, visitors to the city will be able to take part in a host of events, many of which are free to attend.

The festival will kick-off with a dawn karakia - a traditional Maori ritual involving prayers and incantations - to celebrate "the arrival of the first moon after the rising of the star cluster Matariki", the official website informs.

Other events scheduled to take place during the four-week event include concerts, exhibitions, film screenings and lots more.

There are also plenty of community-spirited activities for people to get involved with, such as planting trees in the area around Auckland.

According to the organisers, Matariki is a time for New Zealanders to come together and "celebrate our unique Maori heritage, nature, creativity and expression".

People who are staying in Auckland and want to get under the skin of this festival should take the time to find the Matariki constellation in the night sky.

The best time to spot the star cluster in New Zealand is approximately one hour before dawn during May and June, the festival website advises.

For more information on this event visit the Matariki Festival website or contact the organisers on +64 9354 2132.

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