Sun rises on Sky Tower for Matariki Festival

On Saturday June 30 the Sky Tower will light as a sunrise for Auckland’s Matariki Festival, celebrating Māori New Year and the rise of the Matariki constellation in the night sky.

From 30 June until 20 July, the Sky Tower will be lit with a yellow base, rising to a vibrant orange at the top to depict a sunrise.

At this time of year, the Matariki constellation rises in the north east of the sky, near where the sun also rises - which is the inspiration for this year’s lighting.

The Sky Tower is one of several prominent landmarks across Tāmaki Makaurau lighting to celebrate the three-week-long festival.

The lighting of the Sky Tower is best viewed, photographed or filmed 30minutes after sunset.

The Sky Tower is New Zealand’s tallest man-made structure and the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest free-standing structure. Based in the heart of Auckland, the Sky Tower is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable landmarks.

SKYCITY lights the Sky Tower for charities or community initiatives that we support financially, or to mark national holidays, milestones or other celebrations or events.

Take part in Matariki celebrations across Tāmaki Makaurau with Matariki Festival 2018, 30 June to 22 July. Come together and celebrate the Māori New Year at more than 100 events across Auckland,  and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of te ao Māor including Te Korakora on Federall. 

Full programme and updates on matarikifestival.org.nz