Matariki: What is hautapu?

By Julian Wilcox, RNZ presenter

Fires are placed and lights are set on the balcony of Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, a conch rings out across the waha of Te Papa.

There, looking out across the still harbour of Te Whanganui-a-Tara the tohunga/ruanuku looks to the skies, to see the stars gleaming forth. Here, they rise above the Remutaka Range above the Hutt Valley.

The timing of the hautapu is crucial.

The intention is to begin when the stars are visible, and to conclude as the dark bleeds to orange, and the sun starts to come forth over the horizon. Then, the previous year will have closed and the new year has dawned: Matariki, te matahi o te tau.

It is important that we can see each other when the incantations conclude - we will have moved from acknowledging the celestial beings, to the world of light where we humans dwell.

The role of the tohunga/ruanuku is a lofty one, and much responsibility is placed on their shoulders to ensure that everything proceeds as planned. They have been practising their karakia for days.

Watch the hautapu ceremony, which includes an English translation of the incantations being undertaken.

Training for this role takes years, and in the case of today's hautapu ceremony at Te Papa, the tohunga/ruanuku were trained by Sir Pou Temara.

Each tohunga will have their own specific point of focus, and have prepared accordingly for this. Their words will be different, though they reach a similar conclusion which mentions 'Te Huakirangi', the morning being brought forth.

Once the sounding of the conch was made, Sir Pou Temara commenced the incantations to entrench the life force for the proceedings. This also called for that mauri/force to be placed upon all those involved in undertaking the hautapu ceremony.

Kahu Ropata, of Ngati Toa, was next. Ropata undertook the incantation called "Te Kawa o Tanenuiarangi". It included specific incantations to clear the pathway for proceedings.

Pakake Winiata, of Ngati Raukawa, was next. Winiata undertook the Kawa Matahi Kari Piwai. This recalled the last month of the year, closing the year and welcoming a new one.

Next was Mataia Keepa, of Te Arawa and Maniapoto, Ngati Rarua. The first part of Keepa's incantations acknowledged nga mate o te tau - those who have passed in the last year. Once this was completed, Keepa undertook the umu kohukohu whetu, where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stepped forth with Dr Rangi Mataamua, and they took the kai being offered in the hautapu ceremony.

The smoke from the food rose to the stars to feed the Matariki cluster. Keepa concluded with a karakia to acknowledge Tipuanuku, the star within the Matariki cluster connected to food from the earth, and rongoa.