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singer Tiki Taane has been confirmed as the headline act for this year’s sparkling lineup of events at Dunedin’s Puaka Matariki Festival.
The 49-year-old Christchurch singer and former Salmonella Dub frontman was a New Zealand chart-topper with his single Always on My Mind in 2008, which became the first digital single to reach platinum sales.
It also held the record by staying in the NZ Top 40 Charts for 55 weeks.
Puaka Matariki Festival event producer Rewa Pene said Taane would headline the event with a live performance, blending his contemporary sound with kaupapa Māori.
‘‘Tiki has a really special ability to bring people together, across generations and communities.
‘‘His music carries both energy and depth, and he’ll bring something truly memorable to this year’s celebration.’’
The other star of the Logan Park-based festival on July 10 will be the much-anticipated Matariki mā Puaka drone light show, and a strong lineup of local performers, including Dunedin favourites Dubious Groove, Tough Guy, Ngahau Tene and Te Kapa o Rukutia which recently qualified for next year’s Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival.
Ms Pene said celebrating local talent was an important part of the festival, which would also feature cultural performances, workshops, and kai — all inspired by the stars of Puaka and Matariki.
‘‘We’re incredibly proud to have such a strong local lineup alongside Tiki Taane.
‘‘These artists and performers help make Matariki mā Puaka feel uniquely ours as a southern celebration.’’
The celebration continued to grow each year as more people came together to acknowledge the Māori New Year in more meaningful and accessible ways.
‘‘As the stars of Puaka and Matariki rise over Ōtepoti, Logan Park will come alive for one of the city’s biggest winter gatherings.
‘‘Matariki mā Puaka is about remembrance, reflection, celebration and looking ahead.
‘‘It’s a chance for people to come together through music, storytelling, light, kai, creativity and shared experiences.’’
With Matariki falling on a Friday this year, a range of events and festivities would take place throughout the month, including dawn ceremonies, community celebrations, storytelling, waiata sessions, workshops and stargazing experiences.
Dunedin’s Puaka Matariki Festival was first established in 2009 with the aim of creating opportunities for communities across Ōtepoti to celebrate and engage with te ao Māori during the Māori New Year.