Matariki Night Markets

Fridays, Saturdays until 11 July 2026

 

Matariki Night Markets, SkyCity Plaza, 3, 4, 10 & 11 July 2026

Matariki Night Markets

3, 4, 10 & 11 July 2026 | 4:00pm – 10:00pm | SkyCity Plaza

Matariki Ki Runga! Matariki returns to SkyCity with a vibrant celebration of reflection, remembrance, connection and renewal.

Matariki Night Markets at SkyCity

Explore a vibrant mix of Māori and Pasifika food vendors serving up delicious flavours from across Aotearoa and the Pacific.

Alongside the kai, discover stalls from Māori enterprises supported through SkyCity Community Trust partnerships, showcasing local products, creativity and culture.

Enjoy:

  • Māori and Pasifika food stalls, and more!
  • Live entertainment
  • Māori artists and performers
  • Kapa Haka groups including leading Polyfest performers
  • Community collaborations and cultural showcases

Bring your whānau, bring your friends and experience the atmosphere of Matariki in the heart of the city.

With many different Māori and Pasifika food stalls to choose from, this will be sure to please. From savoury to sweet, our diverse food stalls will have something for everyone.

Event Timetable Performances

All performances take place at the Plaza.

Friday 3 July
4:00pm – 7:00pmRa Charmian (duo)
7:00pm – 7:15pmKapa Haka - Kowhai School
7:15pm – 10:00pmDJ Kaiya
Saturday 4 July
4:00pm – 7:00pmGoldsmith & Baynes (duo)
7:00pm – 7:15pmKapa Haka - TBC
7:15pm – 10:00pmDJ Spence
Friday 10 July
4:00pm – 7:00pmDr Valance Smith (solo)
7:00pm – 7:15pmKapa Haka - Hoani Waititi
7:15pm – 10:00pmDJ Randy
Saturday 11 July
4:00pm – 7:00pmRay Bishop (duo)
7:00pm – 7:15pmTurongo Collective - Native Guardianship
7:15pm – 10:00pmDJ Mala
Workshops
Raranga Weaving Workshop
Friday 3, Saturday 4, & Friday 10, Saturday 11 July
4:00pm – 8:00pm Atrium
Whakairo Carving Showcase
Harry Wikaira on 3 & 4 July Carlin Waretini on 10 & 11 July
Friday 3, Saturday 4, & Friday 10, Saturday 11 July
4:00pm – 10:00pm Atrium
Poi Workshop
by Te Aho, SkyCity
Friday 3, Saturday 4, & Friday 10, Saturday 11 July
4:00pm – 8:00pm Plaza
Moko Station (by donation)
Saturday 4, Friday 10, Saturday 11 July
4:00pm – 8:00pm Plaza

Carlin Waretini
Carver

Carlin Waretini

Iwi carver and 1st wave Graduate of Ruawhetu Carving school in Tāmaki Makaurau, which was set up by Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei and Karl Johnstone. I did 3 yrs training under Tohunga Whakairo James Rickard.

Tō ia rākau he whakairo kei roto, ko tā te whakairo, he kimi — Every tree has a carving inside it, it is the task of the carver to discover it.

Iwi affiliation: Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei, Ngāti Whātua Kaipara, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Maniapoto.

Photographer: @kdotlowe (kieren lowe)

Poi Making Workshops
Poi

Poi Making Workshops

Presented by Te Aho, SkyCity's Māori ERG

Make your own poi and learn some basic moves in this interactive, family-friendly workshop. Discover the cultural significance of poi while creating, moving and having fun together. Suitable for all ages.

Weaving Workshops
Weaving

Weaving Workshops

Rosina Chan & Alan Leung

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, we are dedicated to keeping the beautiful art of raranga alive. Working with locally harvested harakeke, we create traditional and contemporary pieces - from kete, korowai, to tukutuku panels. Over the years, we have been fortunate to be a part of the weavers of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa- Māori Weavers New Zealand. Create your own woven whetū (star), bracelet, or small keepsake while learning the basics of raranga. This family-friendly, drop-in workshop offers a hands-on introduction to Māori weaving traditions using locally harvested harakeke.

Entertainment Programme Soloists & Duos
Rā Charmian
Soloist

Rā Charmian

Backed by some of Aotearoa’s finest musicians, Rā Charmian delivers an exciting new mix of original music, waiata, and signature arrangements. Rā Charmian’s music has been showcased across Aotearoa with features on RNZ, Flava, Māori TV, Waiata Anthems, Spotify’s Island Time and Waiata Reo Māori, and many other TV and radio stations around Aotearoa. Every show is a celebration of music, fun and entertainment.

Goldsmith & Baynes
Duo

Goldsmith & Baynes

Allana Goldsmith is a Māori contemporary jazz artist who hails from the Tairawhiti region, East Coast of the North Island of Aotearoa/NZ. Her iwi (tribes) are Ngāti Porou and Ngāi Tai.

Mark is a British jazz pianist with a contemporary leaning. He has performed alongside giants of the genre — including Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea) and Mireya Ramos (Latin GRAMMY winner) — as well as the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Broadway casts.

Dr. Valance Smith
Soloist

Dr. Valance Smith

A dedicated advocate for contemporary Māori music and its vital role in promoting te reo Māori. With a PhD that explores the profound impact of contemporary Māori music in revitalising and sustaining te reo Māori, Valance has contributed significant scholarly work to this important cultural field. This has deepened his understanding and appreciation of Māori music as a performer and composer, blending traditional Māori elements with contemporary influences, creating music that resonates with audiences both locally and globally.

Ray Bishop
Soloist

Ray Bishop

Ray Bishop was born into a musical family with aunties and uncles that were renowned musicians from the Waikato town of Whatawhata. His love of legendary artists like Gene Kelly and Fred Astire, helped shape his romance with music and its power to convey the message of love. Elvis Presley, Kiss, Ronnie Milsap, and Metallica record collections help mould his love of music diversity. Ray’s biggest influence to this day has been Bob Marley, his vision of a better world, his lyrics, phrases, and musical grooves, helped solidify Ray’s personal approach to delivering any song he performs.

Kapa Haka and Maori Performances
Hoani Waititi
Kapa Haka

Hoani Waititi

The Hoani Waititi kapa haka tradition represents one of the most distinguished performing arts programs in Aotearoa, based at the Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland. Bringing their award-winning passion and energy to the SkyCity Matariki Night Market, this performance invites you to witness the power, beauty, and deep cultural mana of kapa haka.

Turongo Collective
Kapa Haka

Turongo Collective

Te Whānau Āio are the guardians of Māori cultural experiences at the Auckland Museum, representing 14 iwi from New Zealand. Their collective duty is to share their ancestors’ stories to educate the world beyond common stereotypes. Their group consists of professionals who are masters in their field and have traveled globally as experts, judges, dancers, cultural educators, lecturers, professional singers, spiritual tutors, indigenous spokesmen, and language facilitators. They are not simply entertainers.

DJs
DJ Kaiya
DJ

DJ Kaiya

Catch KAIYA at the Skycity Matariki Night Markets on July 3! Don’t miss out on a signature, energetic set from the “Aux Queen” herself! She’s ready to create an atmosphere that bridges cultural celebration with feel-good music. From her experience playing shows in Auckland, she’s ready to deliver a blend of recognisable classics and high-tempo rhythms that will get people moving!

DJ Spence
DJ

DJ Spence

Spence is a well-respected R&B, Hip Hop club DJ who is known to rock dance floors with his infamous beat mixing techniques, intricate live blends and tight cuts. As winner of “Best R&B DJ at the Sony Ericsson Urban Lifestyle Awards 2004” he is also managing Director of the CanTeen DJ School.

DJ Spence has performed in clubs and on stage alongside some of the finest artists and DJ’s both national and international including Che Fu, Katchafire, J Williams, Dei Hamo, Black Seeds, Tahuna Breaks, DJ A-Trak, DJ Baby Drew (Chris Browns official DJ), Snoop Dogg, Naughty by Nature, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent and G – Unit.

DJ Randy
DJ

DJ Randy (MaiFM)

Randy is one of the coolest kids in radio thanks to his incredible fashion, ability to tell a great yarn, and vast sneaker collection. He hosts the Mai Home Run and chats to up-and-coming Kiwi Hip Hop & RnB stars and drops the hottest tracks. He loves to be different and stand out from the crowd with accompanying wit, charm, and an aesthetic eye for fashion. Randy is also an MC & DJ and can often be seen at some of Auckland’s hottest nightclubs. A true all-rounder, Randy’s passions go beyond the mic - he’s big on sports, lives and breathes music, and Stylish, smart, and self-assured, Randy brings his full vibe wherever he goes.

DJ Mala
DJ

DJ Mala

Catch MALA at the Skycity Matariki Night Markets on July 11! Having performed across Australia, Bali, Rarotonga, and New Zealand, he knows how to adapt global sounds to any crowd or environment! For the Night Markets, he’s set to deliver a feel-good mix of well-known classics and energetic rhythms that celebrate his Pasifika roots!