Matariki – Windows on Bridge

From: 09/07/2026 - Ongoing

168 Trafalgar Street

Street Address

168 Trafalgar St, Nelson
(ex-Westpac Bank on the corner of Bridge St)

This year for Matariki we’ve taken over some windows on Trafalgar and Bridge street.

Matariki is part of the Windows on Bridge series of art installation in empty shops, most to be viewed from the footpath. We’ll be rolling out Windows on Bridge over the next six months or so.

There are four displays in the Matariki installation, all honouring the past, celebrating the present, and planting the seeds for the future:

Matariki Whetu – flora stars made in a community workshop
Stars created by Anne Rush
Two poems by George Penney
‘After the hangi’ by photographer Fiona Lees

Matariki Whetu

Tania Smith at Āwhio ran a workshop for people to make Matariki whetu – many thanks to Clare, Pania, Rebecca, Louisa, Antoinette, and Vicki B & daughters.

The theme was Tupuānuku, watiti, waita. Mau mai, haere mai – thanks you to everyone who joined us.

Stars

“This artistic light constellation has been assembled to celebrate Matariki where we remember the past, meditate, act on the here and now, and make wishes for future.” Anne Rush

Poems for Matariki

Whakatū-based writer, poet and observer of small things, George Penney, wrote two poems after attending Matariki celebrations in 2025.

Spotted at Matariki in Whakatū 2025
A small human runs up to his nan (80s?)
who’s wearing a woven straw hat,
colourful scarves and a bright red coat.

He hugs her around the waist
and refuses to let go
when his dad asks if he wants to go
play with his cousins.

Nan picks him up
and is seen still hugging him
while he sleeps an hour later.

Poem selected from George Penney’s book ‘Tiny Moments of Joy’ available to purchase at Red Gallery & Design Store at 1 Bridge St, Nelson.
To read George’s observations of tiny moments, have a look here.