Entertainment
27 June, 2025
Kia ora, Kiwis of Far North
CAIRNS will soon shine with the spirit of ‘Matariki’ as the Māori community leads a powerful celebration of culture, remembrance and connection from June 26-28 at the Edmonton PCYC.
Presented by Ngā Matawaka Inc, Te Whānau Aroha, and the wider Māori community of Cairns, Matariki FNQ Cairns 2025 marks the Māori New Year through three days of ceremony, performing arts, traditional food and storytelling. All of the festivities to be held come with the cultural blessing of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people.
Matariki, the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, rises each year in mid-winter and signals a new year in the traditional Māori lunar calendar. It is a time to reflect on those who have passed, give thanks for the present and plant the seeds for a hopeful future.
“Matariki is a time for us to remember those who have passed, celebrate who we are today and plan for our future together,” said Ngā Matawaka Inc. spokesman Kori Totorewa.
“This year’s festival is about unity, legacy and intergenerational connection.
We welcome all communities to join us in celebrating Matariki the Māori way – with heart, history and hope,” she said.
The festival’s program will feature kapa haka performances, youth-led storytelling and Pasifika food stalls, creating a vibrant, whānau-friendly atmosphere that honours the values of generosity, remembrance and renewal.
Now recognised as a public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand, Matariki is growing in cultural prominence across the globe.
In Far North Queensland, it’s fast becoming a beloved community tradition.
Supported by Cairns Regional Council and a range of local partners, Matariki FNQ Cairns 2025 is free, family-friendly and open to all. The festival will take place from Thursday to Saturday, June 26-28 at the Edmonton PCYC, Walker Rd.
For updates, follow #MatarikiFNQ2025
on social media.
