For Matariki this year, we're joining Britomart's celebrations by partnering with local Māori artist Arama Tamariki-Enua. We'll be gifting Matariki tote bags featuring Arama's artwork, Tūhono, at our Britomart store in Auckland, New Zealand, starting 19 June.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the celebration of the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. Matariki originates from the Pleiades star cluster, appearing in the sky every winter, signalling the beginning of the Māori New Year, which is celebrated and observed in New Zealand and some South Pacific countries.
About the Artist
Arama Tamariki-Enua is a local artist from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and is currently based in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Arama's artistic style blends analogue and digital design, at times favouring one over the other. Driven by form and function, he is inspired to create artwork by developing solutions and answering life's unlimited questions.
Tūhono, Arama Tamariki-Enua, 2025
About the Artwork
Tūhono means "to tie together". Arama took a traditional design and reimagined it, using this new interpretation as a timestamp to acknowledge 'what is now' and 'what was'. In Britomart, Tūhono takes the form of a series of light projections and colourful panels on Te Ara Tāhuhu and Galway Street.
The intention behind the work was to help the public get a glimpse of Māori culture and to further acknowledge Matariki and to celebrate its presence in this space.
Arama was inspired by patterns and the stories they tell. Since the Māori language was once mainly oral, it’s a special tool needed to understand the patterns and their meanings. Matariki is a time to celebrate and reflect, so he hopes the work helps to ground people.
We brought Tūhono to life with screenprinting on our Parcel Tote, to act as a keepsake to Britomart's immersive Matariki celebrations and to commemorate the Māori New Year.
Visit our store from Thursday 19 June to collect the limited edition tote as a gift, in partnership with Arama Tamariki-Enua and Britomart Group. While stocks last. Celebrate Matariki in Britomart and grab a Matariki tote to take home. Mānawatia a Matariki!
Find out more about what's happening in Britomart this Matariki.
