Matariki above Rotorua: Cyberdrone joins Aotearoa’s sky story
To mark the Māori New Year, Cyberdrone joined the Matariki celebrations in Rotorua with a drone show that illuminated the night with meaning. Set against the waters of Rotorua Lakefront, 300 drones moved in harmony with the sounds of taonga pūoro, traditional Māori instruments, creating a poetic fusion of ancestral wisdom and light choreography. This was an offering. A gesture of deep respect for the land, its stories, and the people who carry them forward.
A celebration of Matariki in Rotorua
Matariki marks the rising of a star cluster that signals the Māori New Year, a time for remembrance, reflection, and renewal. In Rotorua, this sacred moment was celebrated as part of the Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival, which brought together dawn ceremonies, local markets, and a stunning cultural programme.
As darkness fell, the sky became the final canvas. Thousands gathered at the lakefront to witness the stars of Matariki brought to life. And not through telescopes, but through light, sound, and ancient storytelling made new.
A show woven from starlight and meaning
Every moment of the show was built in close collaboration with Māori artists, guided by cultural intention and care. The performance unfolded like a visual karakia, a sacred narrative in motion:
- The nine stars of Matariki, forming and glowing as a living constellation, each with its own spiritual significance.
- Flying birds, representing the journey of souls and the seasonal return of life and energy.
- Pōhutukawa blossoms, a tribute to those who have passed and the memories that carry us forward.
- And more…
All set to the live sounds of taonga pūoro, performed by cultural leaders Riki Bennett and Dr. Anaha Hiini, connecting earth, air, and spirit.
It was a night where technology met tradition in a space of reverence, beauty, and community.
Why drone light shows belong in moments like this
Drone shows can do more than entertain, they can honor. They can carry meaning, reflect identity, and elevate the way we gather.
For Matariki, we brought light not to replace the stars, but to help more people see them — and feel the stories they hold. The sky became a shared space of remembrance and imagination, one that lingered long after the last drone landed.
At Cyberdrone, we’re grateful to be welcomed into cultural moments like this to help shine a spotlight on what already matters, and make it even more unforgettable.
Your idea, our skills
The era of new entertainment has come with Cyberdrone Light Shows. The shows that translate your feelings into the language of light, convey your thoughts through technology, and turn any event into a never-fading memory.
Even a sparkle of your imagination will be enough to ignite our creativity. Let’s do this together.
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