Spotlight: Te Korakora - Matariki Festival 2022 ft. Trinity Roots, KINGS, La Coco, Mokomokai + More

As Aotearoa's winter skies were illuminated by the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster this year, we collectively welcomed our first ever official public holiday marking the Māori new year. A time for communities to gather together in remembrance and celebration, Tāmaki Makaurau's Matariki Festival 2022 hosts an inclusive array of cultural activities, exhibitions, workshops, performances and more, right up until mid-July — concluding with the free, all ages Te Korakora (meaning ignite or spark) musical extravaganza. Happening at Wynyard Quarter on Saturday 16th July from 5pm onwards, Te Korakora's stellar lineup includes Trinity Roots, AJA, KINGS, Majic Paora, La Coco, Mokomokai and DJ Grantis. Scope out the event details and refresh your ears with selected tunes from each performing act below...

"Don’t miss this jam-packed evening of festivities to celebrate the Māori new year, join us as we connect under the stars with Matariki. Come along with friends and whānau, sing, dance and send your dreams and wishes to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, the Matariki star of opportunity."

Te Korakora - Matariki Festival 2022
Featuring... Trinity Roots, AJA, KINGS, Majic Paora, La Coco, Mokomokai, DJ Grantis
Saturday 16th July - Wynyard Quarter, Hamer St, Auckland Central (free, all ages, 5pm – 10pm)

Note: There is no ‘rain date’ for this event, so come prepared and wrap up!
More info available on the Matariki Festival 2022 site HERE

Experience Chris Graham's classic 2001 video for Trinity Roots' 'Little Things', starring the late Wi Kuki Kaa (Ngāti, Utu)...

Watch the video for AJA and Byllie-Jean's 2021 single 'Te Iho'...

Check out the choreographed clip for superstar KINGS' 2020 hit 'Help Me Out' featuring Sons Of Zion...

Listen to Majic Paora's new single 'Hikaia ngā ahi o Matariki'...

Watch the dazzling animated video for Waiata Māori Music Award winner La Coco's 2021 single 'Gone'...

Written by Dirty (of Aotearoa rap duo Eno x Dirty), produced by Dusty & Ghos, and featuring contributions from Troy Kingi, Chip Matthews, Willie Wes and Tai Walters, Mokomokai's 2022 debut album is dedicated "to all the indigenous cultures around the world who have been affected by colonisation and as a result, have lost land, language, culture and identity."