The stars are aligning with a jam-packed week ahead of Matariki Tauranga Moana events,

Get crafty and celebrate our connection to the taiao by making beautiful star-shaped decorations using shells.

Bring your own special shell finds, or use the ones provided, to create a unique work of art on Monday, July 3 at the Creative Community Campus, The Historic Village.

The creativity continues at the Campus with the Polymer Clay Tiki Workshop on Thursday, July 6. Create a colourful necklace inspired by the Tiki in this fun, hands-on workshop.

Enjoy an evening of kaupapa Māori short documentaries presented by Loading Docs at the Village Community Cinema on Thursday, July 6. Make sure to book your spot online for this free event.

Settle in for an enchanting Pīata Mai: Matariki Storytime session at Mount Maunganui Library on Thursday, July 6 or He Puna Manawa – Tauranga Library on Friday, July 7.

Bring the whole whānau along for stories, songs and art. While the event is primarily delivered in te reo Māori, all are welcome to participate no matter their level of reo.

Drop in to the Uku Seed Bombs Workshop on Friday, July 7 to make uku (clay) seed bombs. Perfect for children aged 5 – 12 years, they'll learn about the importance of planting to help establish new habitats for bees, butterflies and ladybugs.

Saturday will be brimming with learning and discovery, with workshops at the Creative Community Campus. Explore the captivating craft of bone carving with Gavin Smith or learn about the tikanga of raranga and the basics of flax weaving.

Wrap up the week with the healing properties of rongoā in the Rongoā Balms Workshop on Sunday, July 9. Learn the karakia and tikanga around harvesting and how to make balm for your first aid kit with native plants.

Take part and discover the significance of Matariki with whānau and friends.

Visit www.mymatariki.co.nz to book these events and view the full Matariki Tauranga Moana 2023 programme.

In the lead up to the Matariki public holiday on Friday, July 14, make sure to check out Tourism Bay of Plenty's guide Experience Matariki.

The digital booklet features a ‘how-to' on finding Matariki, experiences under the stars across the Bay, recipes, a foraging guide, a scavenger hunt and more.