Matariki Mackenzie is honoured to host 2022 New Zealander of the Year Tā Tipene O'Regan. One of the most influential and important tribal members in the modern history of Ngāi Tahu, Tā Tipene will discuss the cultural significance of Te Manahuna at 'Dark Skies: Full of Enlightenment' - a public talk on the Friday. On Saturday Tā Tipene will kōrero with Dr Mike Stevens, Helen Brown and Arihia Lathan at Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu.

Upoko of Te Rūnanga o Moeraki since 1987, David Higgins played a key role in establishing the Ngāi Tahu Cultural Mapping Project and was one of the first people to provide material to map the Ngāi Tahu historical footprint throughout the South Island High Country. David shares his knowledge and history of Te Manahuna with a series of public walks.

Māori astronomer Victoria Campbell (Kāi Tahu) sits on the national advisory group for Matariki, the Aoraki International Dark Sky Board and is the Cultural Director of the inaugural Matariki Mackenzie. Victoria will facilitate Dark Skies: Full of Enlightenment and will lead Matriki Ahuka Nui - the special public Matariki observation at Takapō lakefront on Saturday morning.

University of Canterbury planetary astronomer and science communicator Dr Michele Bannister's research investigates the formation and evolution of planetary systems, focussing on our Solar System. Dr Michele shares the exciting work that is happening at Ōtehiwai (Mount John) at the public talk, from planetary defence from hazardous asteroids to understanding the hearts of stars.

Giulio Sturla has became one of the most relevant and influential chefs in the hospitality industry today, Giulio is also the founder and driving force of Eat New Zealand, a movement to promote New Zealand ingredients and their stories domestically and overseas. Giulio will support Joseph Hullen and Dr Mike Stevens in the kitchen as part of a collaboration with Feast Matariki.

Inspiring young wahine toa, fifteen year old Geogia Latu is the chief executive of the world's largest poi company which has environmental and social values at its heart: Poitiki Poi. Georgia is hosting a range of free poitiki poi workshops as part of Matariki Mackenzie.

Kāi Tahu historian Dr Mike Stevens has a special interest in Kāi Tahu, Bluff, muttonbirding and boat-building. Mike and his whānau participate in the seasonal tītī harvest and are renowned for their continued use of pōhā, which are an iconic aspect of Kāi Tahu material culture. Join Mike in the kitchen for Feast Matariki, and kōrero at Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu.

Kāi Tahu multimedia artist Amber Bridgman is the wahine behind KAHUWAI, a clothing line that explores identity and whakapapa through its unique Māori influence. In addition to showcasing her collections at the Matariki Market, Amber will be leading a drop in weaving session (wānaka) - a rare opportunity to see her incredible talents in action.

Joseph Hullen (Ngāi Tūāhuriri/Ngāti Hinematua) has spent a lifetime gathering traditional kai and hearing stories about his hapū. He is a hunter-gatherer, a fisherman, an explorer, a kaitiaki, a storyteller – and always he is Ngāi Tahu. Join Joseph for a series of cooking demonstrations on the Saturday, thanks to Feast Matariki.

Robert Sullivan (Ngāi Tahu, Ngapuhi) is one of New Zealand's leading poets, whose work spans oral traditions, our connection to the stars, to the Pacific and the waka of old - as well as the ins and outs of modern life. Robert discusses how kā whetū, the stars, feature in oratory and poetry from Aotearoa and the Pacific, and reads poems old and new in A Waka of Stars on Saturday.

Arihia Latham is a Kāi Tahu writer, rongoā practitioner, facilitator and Māmā based in Wellington. Her mahi has been published in a broad range of media and she is a regular arts columnist for The Dominion Post. Arihia will facilitate both kōrero lounge sessions: Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu; and A Waka of Stars: Robert Sullivan on Saturday afternoon.

Nicole Solomon is an artist and teacher, based in Waimate. She paints, illustrates, designs and loves being creative. Her greatest passion is making and weaving contemporary korowai/kākahu. Nicole has designed a limited edition tāniko specifically for Matariki 2022, available at the Matariki Market on Saturday.

Helen Brown (Ngāi Tahu) is a Senior Researcher at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. She works with Ngāi Tahu communities on history and memory projects. She co-edited the award-winning Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu, Volume One (2017) and the recently released second volume. Helen joins Tā Tipene O'Regan and Dr Mike Stevens for kōrero in Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu on Saturday.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is considered a major threat to biodiversity. Steve Butler is Chair of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Board and Past President of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. At Dark Skies: Full of Enlightenment, Steve will describe how the Reserve is an example to Aotearoa New Zealand in protecting the night environment, and contributing to Mana Taiao (environmental awareness).