Lighting Up Te Komititanga

A special series of lightboxes representing the Matariki star cluster have been installed in Te Komititanga – the pedestrian friendly square built by City Rail Link as part of Britomart works.

The lightboxes, also located in Takutai Square to the east of Britomart, can be viewed until 11 July for the period of Matariki - the celebration marking the start of the Māori New Year.

As part of the installation, each of the lightboxes provides detail on the star they represent. They feature stories handed down through generations to Rangi Matamua, a recognised expert on Māori starlore who put together the narratives behind the exhibition.

Matariki is recognised in New Zealand as the time of the year when we celebrate a star cluster that appears in the sky.  

Matariki is also a chance to remember those who have passed on during the previous year, and allows us to rest, reset and to plan for the year to come.

City Rail Link Ltd completed Te Komititanga, the square between Commercial Bay and Britomart, in  December 2020. The square was built as part of the C1 contract – which includes the creation of the two rail tunnels that run under the square, below Commercial Bay and up Albert Street.  

Te Komititanga literally means “to mix” or “to merge” and it is ideal for people to do just that with its easy location next to the train station, ferry terminal, mall, bus stops and office buildings. For more information on Te Komititanga, please click here.

Aucklanders and visitors alike are invited to join in the festivities of Matariki and visit the lightboxes and the other Matariki Taimoana events and activities taking place across Auckland.

Visit heartofthecity.co.nz/matariki-taimoana for information about the events and activities happening from 19 June to 11 July.