More than ten thousand people attended Te Huihui-o-Matariki 2025 at the Trafalgar Centre and Rutherford Park, celebrating community, culture, and connection under the stars. In the spirit of kotahitanga and manaakitanga over $2500 was raised in koha for Rangatahi o Whakatū Youth Nelson.
Sharon Lukitau-Ngaamo, Rangatahi o Whakatū Manager says they are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Nelson community, Ngā Iwi o Te Tauihu and Nelson City Council.
“Tuatahi, tēnā rawa atu koutou. Kore rawa mātou e wareware ki ēnei manaakitanga ā mate noa mātou. First of all, thank you all so very much. We will never forget this generosity.
Rangatahi o Whakatū will use the koha to reinstate their music space, which was destroyed in recent flooding.
“This space is so important to rangatahi, as they use the music/beat making programme we have invested in, combined with instruments and their voices, to express themselves creatively,” says Sharon.
Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa i tae mai ki te whakanui i a Matariki me te kotahitanga o tō tātou hapori. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, culture, and connection under the stars.
