First person - One of my first memories of Matariki isn't what many of our young ones have today, being wrapped in a blanket, dragged to the top of a hill to watch the dawn sky, the steam rise, and the colours change.
Each star in Matariki has something to teach us; one might speak to you a bit louder this year and another the next, and there is a reason for that, Māni Dunlop says. Photo: Unsplash / Anders Drange
Instead, it was when Rereata Makiha, Papa Ral to many, years ago told me to show up, microphone in hand, to a random university lecture hall. He gave no other information. I, of course, did what I was told, and rolled up with no idea what was about to happen. My mind was about to be blown.
I heard about this magical cluster of stars that our ancestors looked to mark te matahi o te tau - the new year - as it aligned with our lunar calendar. It all made absolute sense. Of course. I will never forget that feeling of validation and, quite frankly, satisfaction in learning and reclaiming our systems and knowledge.
I turn to this week. Our daughters hold names of winter stars: Hiwaiterangi - our wishing star in the Matariki cluster, and Pikiarero - one of the daughters of Puanga, which is used to mark the new year for other iwi. Their whānau, the myriad of people who raise these defiant shining stars, are our guiding lights as we reclaim this mātauranga, many of who have worked tirelessly to do so.
When they grow up, they are unlikely to recall a time when Matariki, Puanga or Atutahi, needed explainer op-eds, or where they form the basis of pop quiz questions: 'How many stars are in the Matariki cluster?'
Nor will they bear witness to people complaining about it as a far-fetched concept, railing against a 'Māori' *mowree* holiday. They may have faint memories of my rants in the car, their mother mumbling "well go to blimmin work then" in more colourful language.
As we enter the Tangaroa phase of our Maramataka and Matariki rises today, we think of those who have passed.
This year in particular, so many of our totara have fallen.
The star Pōhutukawa will carry those pou across the night sky, Moana Jackson, Joe Hawke, Tā Wira Gardiner, Dame June Jackson - just a few of those we have lost. I think of the sacrifices they made for their people, and the legacy they have left and I wonder what they would pin on Hiwaiterangi this year.
Māni Dunlop Photo: RNZ
The whetū, Matariki is connected to our health and wellbeing, with waves of Covid-19 still washing over us, as whānau still try to make sense of this new mate urutā era, I look to Matariki and think of all the Māori providers who at first - off the smell of an oily rag - looked after our hāpori, both Māori and non-Māori, protecting our vulnerable and looking after our communities.
Other leaders and volunteers who dig in; our kaitiaki, who grow and catch kai, nourishing their whānau and communities, while others nurse our whenua back to life, teaching others how to do it and sharing our mātauranga Māori. I mihi to Waitī, Waitā, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi - stars connected to our water and our food sources, and those who guide us in reclaiming that knowledge.
Ururangi and Waipunarangi, with their cleansing winds and rain remind us we can all play a part in moving this country across a new horizon.
The Matariki Advisory Committee: Professor Rangi Matamua, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Rereata Makiha, Victoria Campbell, Dr Pauline Harris, Dr Ruakere Hond and Jack Thatcher, who have generously shared their knowledge and their time to ensure we can all be a part of this.
For our tohunga, being willing to share the pūkenga and the beauty that is our new year is not to be taken lightly. It is a privilege to be able to read their writings, hear their kōrero and witness history in the making.
For some, you may be continuing your annual hautapu in the early morning, or your group chats are popping off as your whānau organise the first you've ever done or you will be watching or listening to it on our screens or radio this Friday, whatever you do to mark it with your whānau, may the warmth and comfort of your loved ones make you feel settled as you reflect and look ahead.
For others, as you plan for your day off, if this is the first time you are hearing about this concept of the new year, dig a bit deeper than post-work drinks on Thursday or a sleep-in on Friday morning.
Whether it's looking up at the dawn sky, heading to one of the myriad events this weekend, listening or having a kai with those you love, talking about your aspirations ahead, if it's remembering loved ones who have passed, or listening to tutorials online - take something in.
Each star has something to teach us; one might speak to you a bit louder this year and another the next, and there is a reason for that.