Ideas for Producing your Matariki Event

Thanks to Te Rangi Huata (Events Co-ordinator) Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated for providing the information below.

We have produced around 50 outdoor Matariki events since 2000 and gave additional funding to 30 smaller events.  Some of these have become major annual winter events in their regions attracting between 1,000 and 8,000 people.  We would like groups to consider organising regional Matariki events with their own imprint.  Here are a few ideas.

Why Outdoors in Public Space?  The general public may feel more comfortable than on marae.  Select a place where large numbers can gather, in the town centre, a park, carpark or any place where there is parking, public toilets nearby and street lighting.

When’s the best start time? The event can start early as it’s dark by 5.30pm. Vendor stalls and background music can open earlier around 5pm to build the atmosphere

Food The best situation. Utilise one or more professional food vendors.  As the event attracts more people, consider more vendors.  1-3 vendors can handle up to 3000 people.  Charge them 10 to 15% of their gross.  Ask them to supply a specific number of free food item coupons for your volunteers e.g. 40 hotdog/chip coupons.  Sausage sizzles s can be included if you feel they will add to the occasion.  These vendors should trade for services i.e. supply a team to clean up, parking, security etc or they pay a reasonable fee of around $50.  They can work alongside professional caterers but ultimately the public determine where they purchase their food. Discourage sausage sizzles.  Hangi is a good fundraiser.  Pre-sell the tickets and you can be assured of another 100 plus people along to the event.  Alternately encourage indigenous inspired foods, soups etc.

Power Check if available.  If not, do a deal with vendors to share costs to hire a silenced diesel generator.  A professional vendor may allow others to hook into their generator for a fee. Councils may loan generator from sewerage dept.

Should we allow craft vendors?  Well lit craft stalls work well selling impulse-buy or night glow products e.g. glowsticks, battery glow devices, blowups etc.  They give 10% gross plus they can donate prizes.  Stalls add to your event.

Entertainment  Keep entertainment/stage within a two hour time frame and a maximum of 3 hours.  It is winter, it’s cold and most people will be standing throughout. Getting kids home early on a school night is also a consideration.

What sort of entertainment  Use local performers that mirror your audience targets.  School kapa haka groups are good.  They bring all the parents and supporters out as well.  Ensure bands, singers and dance groups are well rehearsed.  Showcase outstanding Maori performers in Maori language.  Look for multicultural groups and popular music bands. Ensure rappers lyrics are ‘clean’. Known local artists are good. MC/MCs need a good and warm personality.

Should We Pay Our Performers?  Try to give a fee or koha even if it’s small.  It’s your way of giving thanks to the artists for sharing their talent and they will keep supporting you year after year.

Should we provide seating and shelter? (KISS) Keep It Simple Stupid is a great rule-of-thumb.  If benches are there, that’s good.  Encourage people to bring beach chairs or a ground cover.

What If It Rains or It’s Cold?  The response is simple, “Bring a raincoat, dress warm and wear comfortable walking shoes!  Matariki should be promoted as “Rain or shine”.  Alternately utilise a wet weather venue nearby.

How Do We Promote? Use existing networks.  The local iwi, kohanga, school, arts, community email networks.  Link to tertiary, student union, Maori liaison, high school student links through texting.  Produce a flyer or poster of the best quality.  Local paper and radio stations are good media co-sponsors.  Your local library is a good resource as well.  Encourage staff to theme the library with stars, display exhibits etc and post resource information onto their web site.

What’s the best day to do Matariki? Any day is good except when the All Blacks are playing!   Matariki can be done anytime in June or July.  School nights are good if the event is early.  Saturday is also good but there is always also a lot on that night particularly in June.  Super 14s is over by then but the All Blacks are always playing at this time so check their calendar early.

How do you work out your programme to appeal to everyone? Below is a checklist of influences that we use to formulate a programme.  Your committee can then give thought to what you would do to influence people to laugh, cry etc.

1.   Move them

2.   Inspire them

3.   Surprise them

4.   Make them laugh

5.   Touch them

6.   Provide value for them

7.   Encourage participation

8.   Talk to them/Educate them

9.   Value and respect them

Lastly, consider a WOW to your event.  We use fireworks to music.  Other regions use fire drums, lanterns etc. Build positive memories.

All the best in your planning.

Te Rangi Huata

Events – Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc