At 6am on Tuesday 21st June - the dawning of Matariki and the beginning of the Winter Solstice there were a group of hardy souls gathered in the gardens at Oamaru Intermediate, ready to ring in the Maori New Year, in style. The hangi pit had been dug and the vegetables chopped the previous day.

Mike Mullins and some brave boarders from Waitaki Boys' High School rugged up from the cold and taught us how to set the fire to heat the irons. Damien McNamara and his astronomy tools were here, ready to sight Matariki as it arose in the sky.

Our hangi was ready to eat by 1pm. It was delicious and we were lucky to be joined by some whanau too.Thanks must go to the amazing team of volunteers who joined us. None of this successful day would've happened without your support. Check out the photos below.