Matariki has arrived in Aotearoa’s night sky, marking the start of the Māori New Year.
Traditionally, it’s been a time for whanau to gather and reflect on the past and the future, and was marked by feasting, planting crops and events to remember the dead.
We spoke to some of the people involved in this year’s celebrations about what Matariki means to them.
SHOWCASING ‘MAORI-NESS’
Ati Teepa (Tuhoe), an audience engagement facilitator at Te Papa, says Matariki is a great opportunity to celebrate culture.
“It's a time of being Māori and I think, you know, if there's a time of the year that we can showcase Māori – your Māoriness, or your Tuhoe-ness or your Te Papa-ness — whatever 'ness' you've got.”
“Who knows, in the future in could become a public holiday, which would be kind of awesome.”
TIME OF RENEWAL
Maria Walker (Ngati Kahungunu) says when Matariki comes around she has a sense of renewal.
“I inherently feel spurred by things and I feel that this time every year, sort of a renewal, especially as an actor. We are given Maori work around this time of year there's Tawata Productions, Taki Rua productions and Maori films are sometimes about Matariki.”
This Matariki, Maria is directing Taki Rua theatre company’s play Ngunguru I Te Ao I Te Po.
TRACING WHAKAPAPA
Astronomer Toa Waaka (Ngati Toa Rangatira, Te Ati Awa, Ngati Koata, Ngati Porou, Hauraki, Te Mahurehure) says ancient Maori knowledge, such as understanding science, astronomy and physics became the basis of te reo.
“They understood the processes of nature. Their scientific observation was seen in a much more, I suppose, holistic way. But today we can now look at their knowledge and go: 'Hey actually what they were saying is quite right.”
READ more about Matariki on the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
This content was brought to you with funding support from New Zealand On Air.