Mānawatia a Matariki - a nation building day
Official celebrations for New Zealand’s first distinctly Māori national public holiday – Matariki – took place with a dawn ceremony on 24 June, hosted by Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. It was a national celebration with an international audience.
Attended by Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, dignitaries and invited guests, the Matariki ceremony marks the Māori New Year and is ultimately all about people, acknowledging the past and planning for the future.
Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki began with a traditional hautapu (food offering) ceremony before the sun rose led by Sir Pou Temara Tūhoe KNZM CRSNZ, who said future generations would look back and say we came of age today.
Professor Rangi Matamua Tūhoe FRSNZ, has been a driving force behind Matariki becoming an official public holiday and a leading expert on Matariki and Māori astronomy.
Professor Matamua tells us Matariki is a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky in Aotearoa during the mid-winter months. The star cluster is well known throughout the world and at different times of the year can be seen around the globe. It is one of the brightest clusters in the sky, containing hundreds of member stars.
Its significance is underpinned by three key points:
- Remembering those who are gone – because who we are is built on the backs of the people that have come before us. It's about reflecting on the people we've lost throughout the year and the lessons they've given us. It's about honouring their memories and thanking them for everything they shared.
- Celebrating the present – this time is for us to slow down and be with loved ones. A celebration as simple as gathering with whānau, watching a movie together, sharing something to eat.
- Planning for the future – look to the New Year and think what can we do better? How can we support the environment? How can we support the people in our community?
It's about celebrating who we are: a vibrant, diverse nation who have all come to call this beautiful place home.
“This is a historic moment for all of us,” Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Kiri Allan said as the legislation passed. “It will be the first national holiday to specifically recognise and celebrate mātauranga Māori [Māori scientific traditions],” she said, giving “a unique, new opportunity to embrace our distinctive national identity and help to establish our place as a modern Pacific nation”.
Professor Matamua is often asked how do you find Matariki? His response “...put down your mobile and look up Aotearoa…”
Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi
Mānawa maiea te mātahi o te tau
Mānawatia a Matariki.