Matariki Festival – Kings to headline
Nelson City Council presents Te Huihuinga o Matariki 2026, delivered in collaboration with Ngā Iwi e Waru o Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui at Saxton Field.
We are excited to announce that acclaimed New Zealand artist Kings will headline this year’s celebrations.
Kingdon Chapple-Wilson, stage name Kings, is a New Zealand rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer, and one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable music artists. His breakout 2016 hit ‘Don’t Worry Bout it’ holds the record for most consecutive weeks (33) at the top of the New Zealand radio charts.
Kings is used to celebrating Matariki with his whānau.
“My studio is based on a marae, so every year we’ve held our own event to celebrate and honour Matariki. We’d have singing competitions that I judged, alongside kai, performances and educational entertainment about the stars. It’s a beautiful kaupapa.”
Kings says the trip will also be a chance to experience more of Nelson beyond the stage.
“I feel like I’ve only been to Nelson a few times, and it’s usually just for shows. I’ve never really had the chance to explore the city properly, so I’m looking forward to doing that this time. If you see me out and about, come say ‘what’s up’.”
Known for his high-energy performances and unique Kiwi sound, Kings will bring an unforgettable atmosphere to Te Huihuinga o Matariki 2026. He is currently working on a new project titled ‘Otherside pt2’. He is hoping the first single will be released by Matariki.
After years of the festival being held at the Trafalgar Centre, this year’s festival will be held at Saxton Stadium.
The Matariki market will be open from 5pm – 9pm, offering a diverse range of food as well as arts and crafts for sale. Bring your own serveware, drink bottle and resuable bags to reduce waste.
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