Guests of Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa were treated to a front row seat to the spectacular 2025 Matariki Aronui drone show, held on the shores of Lake Rotorua in Aotearoa.
The sold-out Sip, Show and Soak event, hosted over two nights at Wai Ariki, offered an unforgettable blend of visual wonder and sensory indulgence. Guests immersed themselves in the magic of the Matariki night sky through cutting-edge drone technology while enjoying live music, drinks and restorative geothermal bathing in the spa’s renowned mineral waters.
Funded by One Foundation, Rotorua Trust, Rotorua Lakes Council, DIA Lotteries and Rotorua NZ, the outdoor event is New Zealand’s largest drone show. The show, which pays a breathtaking tribute to the Māori New Year and tells the story of Matariki, is recognised as cutting-edge whilst rooted in ancient knowledge.
Courtesy of Aronui Arts Festival. Photo by Āio Media.
The theme for Matariki 2025 is ‘Matariki ki te wai’, recognising the water’s spiritual and life-giving role in Te Ao Māori. With stars such as Waitī, Waitā, and Waipuna-ā-rangi guiding the narrative this year, Matariki was a time to reflect on the ways that water acts to connect – to place, to each other and to the natural world.
At Wai Ariki, this connection runs deep. Built on the legacy and mana of local iwi, Ngāti Whakaue, the spa integrates healing geothermal waters, traditional healing practices and modern luxury to offer a uniquely Māori experience of rest and restoration.
Debbie Robertson, General Manager at Wai Ariki, speaks to the deeper meaning of Matariki this Māori New Year.
“Matariki is a time for renewal, and a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect,” says Robertson.
“It’s a uniquely Aotearoa celebration that draws us closer to the rhythms of the natural world and the wisdom of our tūpuna.
“Whether you’re gathering with whānau, remembering those who have passed, or setting intentions for the year ahead, Matariki offers a powerful reminder of what matters most.”
Reflecting on this year’s water theme, Robertson went on to say that “In Te Ao Māori, water is life-giving. It connects us to our ancestors, to our environment, and to each other – and this is something that sits at the heart of our experience, not just physically through our geothermal springs, but spiritually, too.”
“As an iwi-owned spa, it’s both our responsibility and privilege to honour this time of year in a way that’s authentic and enriching, and reflects the mātauranga of our Ngāti Whakaue tūpuna. Beyond our everyday offerings, our Sip, Show and Soak Matariki event is one example – inviting manuhiri to slow down, to look to the stars as our ancestors did, and to embrace the spirit of the Māori New Year with warmth and wairua.
“Our stargazing pool sits right in view of Ngongotahā maunga, where our ancestors observed Matariki, and to be able to continue that practice today – in a modern setting, but with deep cultural grounding – is something really special.”
A story told in light
The movement of drones can represent the stars of the Matariki cluster, the flight of manu, or the journey of souls returning to the heavens. Each shape can hold deep meaning combining ancient knowledge with futuristic tools. This fusion shows the world that mātauranga Māori is alive, relevant, and adaptable, grounded in the wisdoms of our Tūpuna and open to new ways of expression.
At Wai Ariki, Matariki is more than a moment on the calendar; it’s an embodiment of the spa’s kaupapa – a time to reflect, to reconnect and to celebrate the enduring wisdom of Te Ao Māori in a uniquely immersive and luxurious way.
