Matariki: Neon lights reference Auckland CBD’s culinary history

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Elliot Street is lit up for Matariki, with artwork brought to Aucklanders by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Auckland Council. Image: Luke Foley Martin

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Neon light art created by Lissy Robinson-Cole, Rudi Robinson-Cole with Ataahua Papa and Angus Muir Design. Image: Luke Foley Martin

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Taurima artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Coll. Image: Supplied

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The artworks were made in collaboration with Ataahua Papa and Angus Muir Design. Image: Luke Foley Martin

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References to the pātaka kai (food storehouse), reference the early culinary history of this part of Tāmaki Makaurau. Image: Luke Foley Martin

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The light exhibition will be on display until October 2023. Image: Luke Foley Martin

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Iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei with Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council, supported by the city centre targeted rate, are delighted to bring Matariki ki te Manawa to the city centre.

Taurima, a new series of light installations in Elliott Street, is expected to become a Matariki Festival must-see. This is partly because the neon artworks floating above the street are spectacular, and partly because they uncover the street’s long culinary history.

Aucklanders and visitors will see pātaka kai (food storehouse) symbolism suspended above the street in quirky fluoro-neon art created by Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Kahu and Ngāti Hine), Rudi Robinson-Cole (Waikato, Ngaruahine, Ngāti Pāoa, Te Arawa) with Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura) and Angus Muir Design.

Taurima marks the street’s origins in hospitality. In 1987, archaeologists found Elliott Street was likely to have been a place of gathering food all along. They found evidence indicating people have harvested and provided food here for the best part of 500 years. Source of this archaeological history here.

One definition of the term Taurima is to treat with care. Taurima expresses this philosophy as part of Matariki ki te Manawa — Matariki at the heart — part of Matariki Festival.

Aucklanders are invited to celebrate Elliott Street’s origins and its current eat street vibe — from street eateries to a bakehouse to underground restaurants to late-night hospitality.

Matariki is a season of celebrating and expressing the sharing kai (food), but also to celebrate the special native and natural kai of Tāmaki Makaurau.

References to the pātaka kai (food storehouse), reference the early culinary history of this part of Tāmaki Makaurau. Image: Luke Foley Martin

From 11–22 July, Matariki Festival will fill Tāmaki Makaurau with learning experiences, lighting splendour, storytelling, kōrero, music, art and much more. The Taurima installation will be up in Elliott Street until October, bringing history full circle.

Some of the activations for Matariki ki te Manawa are traditional; others are contemporary; all are deeply felt as we immerse ourselves in Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and celebrate this special time of year.

See the festival line-up at matarikifestival.org.nz. Search for ‘Taurima’.