To encourage off-peak visitation, Special and Tourism New Zealand created Pou-o-Kai — a one-night-only dining experience under the star-embellished skies of Kura Tāwhiti (Castle Hill), at the base of the Southern Alps. Framed by the natural rhythms of the cosmos, the event brought together two of Aotearoa’s most compelling offerings: astrotourism and food — interwoven through Te Ao Māori.

The name Pou-o-Kai, gifted by Ngāi Tahu, references the ancient Pouākai — a legendary eagle of immense power, once thought to have flown the skies of Te Waipounamu. This powerful tohu (symbol) informed both the design of the experience and the narrative arc, anchoring the event in whakapapa, whenua and wairua.

Whakapapa in Design, Kaitiakitanga in Practice
‍The design of Pou-o-Kai was shaped by a series of deliberate cultural considerations:
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‍Whakapapa: The form and flight of the Pouākai inspired the identity — its wingspan imagined in a circular motion of embrace, creating a symbolic pou at the centre of the gathering. This gesture embodied whanaungatanga — drawing people together, bound by shared experience.
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Whakawhanaungatanga: The dining table itself became a space of relational connection — between people, across cultures, and between earth and sky. Guests were invited not just to eat, but to engage with the stories of the place and the communities who steward it.

Whenua & Sky: Kura Tāwhiti, a place of immense cultural and geological significance, provided the natural stage. As the stars traced arcs across the night sky, the setting acknowledged the circularity of time and the sacred nature of the celestial realm in Māori worldview.

Importantly, the kai served at the event was curated through a Te Ao Māori lens — ethically and locally sourced, harvested with the support of mana whenua alongside chef Ben Bayly. Every element on the plate honoured the environment it came from, embodying values of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga.

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From Local Intention to Global Reach

The Pou-o-Kai experience welcomed 50 international media, influencers, and tastemakers — creating a moment of true cultural hospitality beneath one of the world’s clearest skies.

The result:

2.9 billion+ earned global reach

Widespread global media coverage and social sharing

A shift in perception — from scenic destination to one of depth, culture and care

In telling this story with integrity, Pou-o-Kai offered the world a taste of Aotearoa’s uniqueness — not just through food and stars, but through its values, its people, and its connection to place.

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