Matariki Festival celebrations spread across the Hutt Valley
Weaver and sculptor Maureen Lander will be coming to the Dowse Art Museum for the Matariki Rising event.
Take a look at the stars this month as Matariki celebrations take off around the Hutt Valley.
The Dowse Art Museum will be one of six Wellington sites working with Te Papa to celebrate Maori New Year through a series of events called Matariki Rising.
The Dowse will host the Star Weave Jam as part of the festival.
Visitors will be able to help weave stars for a piece of art to be displayed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Visitors will be invited to help weave stars for a piece of art titled One Million Stars to End Violence.
READ MORE:
* Matariki: Everything there is to know about it
* Pupils get taste of life as business owners
Te Whare Rokiroki, Maori Women's Refuge is collaborating with the gallery and weaver and sculptor Maureen Lander will be on hand to help out.
Dowse director Courtney Johnston said she was proud to part of this year's Matariki Rising.
"The Star Weave Jam will be a great event that ties in with Matariki being a celebration of the stars, while also supporting an important kaupapa – raising awareness of domestic violence. We are thrilled that Maureen Lander is supporting this event and will be there on the day, making stars with us."
The woven pieces will go on display at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland.
Star Weave Jam begins on July 15.
Matariki is the Maori name for the star cluster called Pleiades. These stars usually appear before dawn in late May or early June and signal the beginning of the Maori New Year.
This year, Matariki begins on June 25.
The Dowse will also be hosting a food-based event on June 21 to start the Maori New Year celebrations.
Chef Joe McLeod will demonstrate how to make traditional Maori kai with a contemporary twist. The event is free.
Matariki Rising is also heading to Upper Hutt, as Expressions Whirinaki hosts the Evolving Universe exhibition, a collection of photos taken by NASA exploring our galaxy and beyond.
- Stuff
