TeKaranga a Hape, K’ Road’s popular Matariki celebrationis back this Thursday 27 June, the eve of the 2024 publicholiday. A special event road closure will be in place fromQueen Street to Pitt Street – opening up the street forTāmaki Makaurau’s biggest, free Matariki blockparty! Situated in the heart of this pedestrianisedblock, the event’s Matariki mainstage will officially openat 5pm with a pōwhiri from Te Whare Karioi o NgatiWhatua, karakia and korero from kaumatua TuwhakairioraWilliams, and waiata from the Auckland StreetChoir. Hosted by Ngariki Muru, the mainstage willshowcase a stellar line-up of local musicians, includingmulti-disciplinary performance and sound-based artist SamaraAlofa; hard rock power trio Te Tokotoru featuring Arahi;Papakura’s garage-pop kings, The Situations; plus aspecial performance from Rangatuone ki Tamaki / Pan MoanaGroup, an ensemble of nine musicians combining taonga puorowith pūrākau connected to Hape.
The mainstageline-up also features a solid roster of local DJs, includingMr Big Stuff, Morning Steppa, Aunty EL and DJ/producer duoCarubiscuit performing back-2-back. Elsewhere, DJ Free Bird(Lucy & The Skylites), Rebel Soul Radio (Tito Tafa) andthe legendary beat-maker known as the Submariner, will becurating a distinct and diverse soundscape along thestreet. This year’s Te Karanga a Hape programmefeatures impactful contributions from local visual artists.
A large-scale, illuminated KARANGAHAPE sign by Kalee Jacksonand Ang.