Emma Carki (8), left, Chelsea Anderson (8), Sophie Rohrbach (10), Zoe Denize (9), Melissa Carki (9), Sophie Brown (9) Ash McFarlane (13). Fergus McMullan (12) and Ranui Te Maiharoa (7). Photo: Hamish MacLean
The star cluster Matariki, or the Pleiades, was not visible because it was overcast.
Oamaru Whitestone Community Arts Council secretary Bronwyn Judge said the celebration, organised by the council with the area's Waitaha community, was a success, in part because of the enthusiasm of the children among the nearly 100-strong crowd.
Waitaha kaumatua Alan Rakiraki, who compered the event, said Oamaru's first Matariki celebration was ''small beginnings'' but he was pleased with the number of Pacific people represented among the musicians. Rarotongans, Tuvaluans, and Tongans joined the Maori and Pakeha crowd.
