Legendary story brought to light by Tāme Iti at Whakatāne light festival
Imagine stepping into the very moment light was born into the world.
This extraordinary experience awaits at Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne, where celebrated artist Tāme Iti and Te Mira Collective invite visitors to experience Ātea - a landmark light installation that brings ancient Māori creation stories to life through cutting-edge technology and breathtaking artistry.
Written by Haylee King, July 2025.
In the beginning, there was Ātea - the space of creation, the world of light born when Tāne-mahuta separated his celestial parents. Now, as the centrepiece of the annual Whakatāne Light Up light festival, visitors are invited to step into that very realm every evening from 5 - 12 July, 2025.
Born from an extraordinary collaboration between Tāme Iti, Te Mira Collective, and internationally acclaimed Angus Muir Design Studio, Ātea represents something unprecedented in New Zealand's cultural landscape.
Some stories are too powerful to simply tell - they must be experienced.
"It's a huge honour to be working with Tāme and his whānau. To bring our work to Whakatāne and collaborate with a visionary like Tāme is an incredible opportunity," says Muir.
For Wairere Iti of Te Mira Collective, the partnership represents transformation itself.
“This allows us to amplify our narratives in a new and exciting way, offering a taste of what is possible when our stories are given new platforms to present themselves from," says Iti.
Soundscape design by Moaho Iti adds another layer to the experience, representing the next generation of creatives emerging from Ātea.
But Ātea is just the beginning of the winter transformation in Whakatāne. For eight nights in July, the town centre hums to life with colour and sound, the riverfront glows, and alleyways, rooftops and shopfronts pulse with unexpected magic.
The Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne festival transforms this coastal town into a wonderland of light, art and imagination - perfectly timed for families seeking school holiday adventures.
Whakatāne might be known for its sunshine, but this winter, it's all about the glow.
The festival transforms the town centre with glowing fungi that react to footsteps, interactive floors that explode with colour, and illuminated sculptures rising like ancestral guardians.
Projection mapping turns buildings into living artworks, while installations by local artists, kura students and national collectives create magic around every corner.
At the heart of the festival is the nightly Festival Hub from 6pm, featuring the Radiant Rhythms music showcase, artisan food, face painting and hands-on activities run by local artists and community volunteers.
Opening night on Saturday, 5 July features a lantern-lit parade, dance carnival and street party.
Throughout the week, creativity shines as businesses transform their shopfronts into glowing art displays for the EPIC Storefront Lighting Competition.
Wednesday brings Te Kōputu After Dark at the library, illuminated waka floating down the river, and Wednesday Wheels Night for cyclists and skaters.
The festival closes with families enjoying magical glow-in-the-dark train rides at River Edge Park's miniature railway.
Each night offers something a little different, and the atmosphere shifts as you move - from quiet, meditative spaces to high-energy hubs of music, movement and light.
Whether you come for a single evening or return more than once, the experience continues to evolve.
It's a festival that invites curiosity, encourages connection, and leaves you with the warmth that only light in winter can bring.
