Organisers of this year’s Matariki celebrations in Te Puke have put tangata whenua at the front of the stage.

Sam Hema, director of Hemasphere Ltd Consultancy, is part of the organising team for the June 20 event on June 20 that is presented in conjunction with Made in Te Puke Trust.

“We are bringing the tribes and our hapu and surrounding tribes on stage together, which is cool - super cool actually,” he said.

“We are really proud to have our tangata whenua on stage performing.”

Opening proceedings at 10am will be Te Kahui Pūoro o Tapuika playing traditional Māori musical instruments, led by adviser and cultural leader Jo’el Komene.

The early part of the day will feature kapa haka performances from school groups from Te Puke primary, intermediate and high schools, Maketū School and Fairhaven School.

Later in the day iwi-based kapa haka groups from Tūhourangi ki Ōtukawa, Waitaha and Ngā Uri O Te Takapu O Tapuika will take to the stage.

“We’ve got a really good mix and balance this year that includes our iwi leading from the front with kapa haka.”

Musically there’s a strong line-up led by Northland’s kaupapa-driven eight piece band llumiNgāti whose sound encompasses reggae and RnB.

Music will also come from Bay of Plenty’s Mana Roots, a talented line-up of accomplished musicians also known as the band RnBeast made up of TJ Faaosofia, Fran Kora, Jode, Poi Hakena Reid and Stevie Car Jnr.

More local music will come from ADT, led by Waitaha and Tapuika cultural leader Mokoera Te Amo and made up of whānau members, Tauranga based duo TJ and Huri and Whaea and Soul.

Up and coming Hutt Valley singer-songwriter Sianne, who recently released a single with Israel Starr, will also perform.

“What we’ve got is a good mix of local entertainers and a good mix of kapa haka from the iwi and the schools, and the kaupapa is Matariki – that’s front, and centre and it’s always been front and centre.”

This year two new members have come on board to help organise the event, Amber Tapsell from Maketū, and educator and teacher, and iwi co-ordinator Haami Te Aute.

As well as the stage entertainment there will also be food stalls with a Māori flavour.

“There will be a hangi of course, and we are definitely trying to lean more towards Māori delicacies and Māori kai,” said Hema.

There would be other stalls selling merchandise and highlighting the services and function of local organisations.

“A big shout out to Poutiri Trust who have always been there for us and have always been there promoting the services they deliver, and they will be front and centre on the day.

“The other cool thing is, we’ve slightly changed our logo refreshed to represent our next phase.”

Earlier in the day Tapuika whānau will make their way to the summit of Rangiuru for a traditional hautapu ceremony that acknowledges Matariki.

“We always want to acknowledge and celebrate the uniqueness of that, specifically for Tapuika.”

What: Te Kete Matariki – Te Puke 2025

When: June 20 10am-4pm

Where: Jubilee Park, Commerce Lane, Te Puke

Cost: Free