People across the motu will soon be saying 'Mānawatia a Matariki” - Celebrate Matariki - with the Matariki public holiday on next Friday, July. 14.

There are many more activities to do this week, so start the week off making practical hand-crafted products at the free Humārama workshops.

Produce your own rongoā in the form of pani kawakawa at Pāpāmoa Library, with a morning and evening session on Monday, July 10.

The Wairehu Horoi Whare (Waste-free Cleaning) workshop on Tuesday, July 11 is also on at Pāpāmoa Library, where you'll learn to make your own cleaning products by recycling and using what you already have in your home.

Book the kids in for the Matariki Manāki Taiao workshop where they'll become stink bug superheroes, on Tuesday, July 11.

With two sessions on at the Creative Community Campus, they'll use natural elements such as leaves and twigs to learn about and create stink bug inspired art and how to be a kaitiaki of our environment.

The Pīata Mai: Matariki Storytime sessions are back at Pāpāmoa Library on Tuesday, July 11and Greerton Library on Wednesday, July 12. The storytime, songs and art delivered primarily in te reo Māori are perfect for primary school aged children, pre-schoolers and their caregivers.

Come and join The Incubator for a fun-filled day on Wednesday, July, 12 with a creative workshop inspired by our precious moana, followed by a screening of Moana the movie at The Village Cinema. Make sure to book your spots online, for ages 7 and over.

Immerse yourself in the art of indoor decorative plants and sustainable gardening at the Manaaki Whenua Kokedama and Holder workshop, on Thursday, July 13.

Drawing inspiration from the centuries-old Japanese garden art form of Kokedama ('moss ball'), this workshop offers a unique opportunity to cultivate a deeper connection with nature while respecting and caring for our whenua.

Enjoy an evening of excellence, entertainment, and community on Thursday, July 13, with a creative line-up of international calibre at the Annual Art Awards for Tribal Descendants of the Tauranga Moana Region. Ngā Tohu Toi Mo Nga Uri Iwi o Te Rohe o Tauranga Moana 2023 aims to champion Māori arts' distinctive ongoing contribution to our regional identity.

This prestigious awards night will be held at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus, with tickets available to book online.

The Matariki public holiday on Friday, July 14 kicks off with a special early morning hikoi to the top of Mauao. Join Master Celestial Navigator Jack Thatcher at the summit at 6am to hear about the importance of Matariki and join in the ceremonies of karakia and maumaharatanga – a time to remember and acknowledge loved ones who have recently passed away.

A weekend of celebration continues with the Matariki Concert on Saturday, July 15, featuring Kiwi band Red Street. Bring your warm winter woolies, a picnic, a rug or chairs to enjoy this free community music event at the Creative Community Campus, The Historic Village.

Keep the creativity flowing on Sunday with the Whare Manu and Feeder workshop, also held at the Campus. You'll learn to build and decorate a whare manu (bird house) and feeder and help look after the manu in your neighbourhood.

Closing the celebrations from Monday 17 to Wednesday July19 will be the Matariki ki Mauao school workshops at the base of Mauao. Schools will focus on basic knowledge of Matariki, utilising the Maramataka (Lunar Calendar) to assist with cultivating and harvesting kai grown in the soil, planting on Mauao, discovering the rongoā and native plants that grow on Mauao, and more.

With so much to see and do in the final weeks of the Matariki Tauranga Moana 2023 programme, now's the time to get involved and discover the significance of Matariki with whānau and friends. Visit www.mymatariki.co.nz to view and book your events.