Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light
Residential Category
Part of the Oxford Winter Lights Festival 2026
Ngā Kāinga Tīrama – Homes of Light celebrates the heart of our community — the homes, whānau and neighbourhoods that make Oxford such a special place to live.
This category invites residents to transform their homes into illuminated displays inspired by this year’s Matariki theme:
Matariki Herenga Waka – The Mooring Place of Canoes
From subtle glowing gardens to full light displays, participants are encouraged to create welcoming spaces that reflect togetherness, celebration, remembrance, hope and new beginnings.
Matariki has always been a time to gather, reconnect and reflect on the year gone by while looking ahead to the future. Ngā Kāinga Tīrama encourages households to share that spirit with the wider community through light, creativity and storytelling.
Whether your display is modern, traditional, artistic or playful, every light helps bring warmth and connection to Oxford during the winter season.