Interactive: Story and meaning of stars of Matariki, Māori New Year
This piece was first published in 2022.
Our very own new year is now a public holiday, with Kiwis around the country marking it on Friday, June 20, this year.
As Matariki has always been a celebration of abundance, of remembrance, unity and hope for the future, it's an opportunity
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NZ Herald
41 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
Matariki celebration on Mauao draws over 400 to remember the departed
Hands on the Mauri stone during the Hautapu ceremony as people call out the names of passed loved ones. Photo / Hēmi Rolleston More than 400 people gathered on the summit of Mauao in the early hours of this morning to celebrate Matariki and remember those who have passed. Te Puna I Rangiriri Trust chairman and co-founder Jack Thatcher, who is also a celestial navigator, led the Matariki Maumaharatanga ceremony atop Mauao at
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Matariki celebrations in Ruapehu make for a new year's day to remember
Ngāti Rangi spokesperson Che Wilson. Photo: Supplied / Richie Mills Ngāti Rangi members are reflecting on the honour of hosting this year's Matariki national holiday ceremony. The ceremonies wrapped up on Friday at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Ruapehu. Ngāti Rangi spokesperson Che Wilson said it was huge honour for Ngāti Rangi to host the celebrations in Ohakune, the "capital of carrots". "It's a huge honour to be able to be the first marae to host the Matariki national holiday ceremony." Many iwi members worked for weeks preparing for the ceremony, from reciting karakia to working in the kitchen. Jamie Turama Tuahuriri Downes was working in the wharekai kitchen, playing his part in what he called the "boar's nest". It had been a huge build-up, he said, including lots of early mornings going hunting. "Lamb or mutton, beef and venison is the main sort of meat that fills [the] fridges and freezers of our people. The ability to go and hunt and gather and bring it all into a place that we call the 'boar's nest', that's a place where a lot of it gets processed." Photo: Supplied / Richie Mills Downes called it "the classroom that every rangatahi needs to be in". "It has become a place that not only feeds this kaupapa in the lead-up to the many people that will turn up before the actual kaupapa, but also for tangihanga, for any kaupapa." Downes said it was an honour to serve in a place where his tūpuna and all of his aunties and uncles had toiled for many years. "Just a massive honour and privilege to be here alongside whānau doing what we do, a lot of steering well away from the cameras because for them this is just what we do on the regular." Photo: Supplied / Richie Mills Tirorangi Marae kaumātua Matiu Wilson was raised near the marae, but has spent most of his life away from the region. "I always wanted to eventually come home to be the next guardian of the homestead, but also to get back involved with Tirorangi." Wilson returned to the marae about five years ago and was now a marae trustee. He said he loved being a part of the paepae, and was enjoying his time getting back in touch with Tirorangi. He said he was proud to see people from all across the country visit his marae. "Tumeke, awesome, beautiful and I'm so proud that I've come home and I've realised what I've missed since I've been away from home for so many years." Tererenga Nikora. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ Tererenga Nikora was one of the manuhiri visiting from Waikato. Unfortunately she missed out on seeing the stars because she was chasing her tamaiti around, she said. But she said Ngāti Rangi had shown amazing manaakitanga, and the locals had been friendly and helpful. "It is stunning. It was amazing. I love seeing Māori stuff like this, especially in te ao Māori and that it's getting bigger, it's going worldwide, so it is so cool to see." Photo: Supplied / Richie Mills Ohakune local Jade said she got a clear view of Puanga on Friday morning. "After the rain yesterday it was just so wonderful to wake up this morning and the clouds had cleared and we could actually see." She said it was "super special" that so many people were visiting her community to share in the kaupapa. Photo: Supplied / Richie Mills Photo: Supplied / Richie Mills Linley (left) and Jade (right). Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ Taupō resident Linley said the karakia and karanga from Ngāti Rangi was beautiful. "It's such a privilege to have this opportunity to share and to really demonstrate that unity and that shared understanding." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Matariki Hautapu Ceremony At Te Puia This Morning
This morning at 5am Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) held a Matariki Hautapu Ceremony led by Te Rāngai Kawa – Te Tokotoru a Manawakotokoto and NZMACI Pou Tuarā Ranginui Rikirangi-Thomas, as well as NZMACI EA Miri Morrison-Hare. It showed a deep respect for ancestral practices acknowledging the past, present, and future through three key parts of the pre-dawn ceremony. Rikirangi-Thomas says when you consider all it encompasses, Matariki is also about health. 'It acknowledges those who have passed, and it allows the opportunity to grieve with an opportunity for closure through Pōhutukawa, it provides an opportunity to be optimistic through Hiwa-i-te Rangi and to be excited about what's to come. It also creates gratitude for what we have in this present moment. 'This morning is another step in the right direction regarding our obligation to the resurgence of mātauranga Māori.' Te Rāngai Kawa – Te Tokotoru a Manawakotokoto Tohunga Te Waata Cribb shared some insights: "Matariki is a recalibration of time that coincides with the rising of the sun. As you go through the different tau or different seasons, or kaupeka different months, there are different stars that come and rise with the sun. 'Matariki is not just about the stars but also to take note of what's happening in the environment - align yourself with the taiao, with the environment" "When we look up at the sky in the morning, Matariki gets a chance to see its own reflection through our eyes" "Sustain the divine status of Matariki by presenting offerings of kai. These offerings are whāngai hau." Rikirangi-Thomas concludes 'Matariki is for everyone to partake, it belongs to Aotearoa and that's all of us – everyone is welcome'. Te Puia is also holding a Whānau Day from 9am – 3pm with 1,700 people having bought tickets. The day includes Pā activities such as Tītī tōrea, poi and haka lessons, Matariki crafts and storytime, kiri tuhi face painting, pōhiri and cultural performances. Manuhiri also explored the Matariki taonga market with contemporary Māori artists and saw the NZ Māori Arts & Crafts Institute artists weaving, wood carving, stone and bone carving. There was also a Kai Marketplace with kai relating to ngā whetū (stars of Matariki).
