Central residents had a Matariki weekend enjoying the company of friends and whānau at local events, celebrations and on the sporting sidelines.

IceInline, Uruuruwhenua Hauora and Alexandra Ice Skating Club held a junior (under 10-year-olds) and senior disco (10+) on Friday night in Alexandra under the roof. Both sessions featured Matariki themed activities, food, music from DJ Cory and plenty of fun.

Watch a short video from the junior disco here. VIDEO: The Central App 

Dunstan High School (DHS) held a Matariki market and celebration featuring kapa haka and student bands on Thursday evening. A hangi and hot food and drinks were on offer and funds raised went towards new uniforms for the kapa haka group.

The set up for the DHS Matariki Market fundraiser. PHOTO: The Central App

Central Otago district mayor Tim Cadogan represented Central at the Hautapu ceremony at Treble Cone in Wānaka which he described as incredibly moving.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to attend two Matariki Hautapu ceremonies and on both occasions have found them a great way to pause, think and reflect on what’s gone before and what’s to come ahead.” 

Professor Rangi Mamatua addressing people at Treble Cone. PHOTO: Tim Cadogan

Along with Matariki events, locals supported sports teams in games against Cromwell and others over the weekend. 

The Alexandra Armadillos triumphed over the Cromwell Goats in premier rugby by 35 points to 24.

Armadillo's player Tyler Ford was named man of the match on June 29.  He slotted three conversions and three penalties, clocking up 100 points this season. PHOTO: Alexandra Rugby Club Facebook

In the Central Otago football league the Alexandra United Football Club (AUFC) premier division (Seasonal Solutions Cooperative A team) and division two (Placemakers Alexandra B team) teams both had wins over Cromwell red and Cromwell blue teams respectively at Pioneer Park. 

Cromwell’s Alpha St soccer grounds hosted their final round of junior soccer for the season, with next Sunday in Queenstown being the last game for the under-nine to under-17 age teams.

Sporting action was spread across the district as the New Zealand Men's and Women's Curling Championships 2024 were held in Naseby.

Both the men's and women's finals went to a third game keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.

Top places in the women were; gold to Team Bridget Becker, silver to Team Courtney Smith and bronze to Team Suddens.

Team Bridget Becker, winners of the NZ women’s curling championships. PHOTO: NZ Curling  

In the men’s first was Team Hood, followed by Team de Boer and Team Sean Becker in third. 

Team Hood, winners of the NZ men’s curling championships. PHOTO: NZ Curling 

The public holiday for Matariki falls on Friday, June 20 next year. 

Read more: Central’s Matariki celebrations near

Read more: Matariki public holiday: What’s open, what’s not and when you have to pay a surcharge