Matariki isn’t just about stars, it’s about reconnecting to the environment says Che Wilson, leading expert on Puanga and iwi spokesperson for this year’s national Matariki celebration.
The theme this year is Matariki mā Puanga (Matariki and Puanga) recognising the regional differences in marking the Māori new year.
He joined astronomer and chief Matariki advisor Dr Rangi Mātāmua on Breakfast this morning to talk about tomorrow’s dawn ceremony event, hosted by Ngāti Rangi iwi.
Speaking from Tirorangi Marae, located between Ohakune and Waiouru, the pair were up before the crack of dawn sighting the stars.
“We saw Puanga rise first, then Matariki came up,” Wilson said. “It was a little bit cloudy but still a beautiful morning seeing the stars rise, seeing the bottom of Taurus – Taumatakuku (Alderbran) also rise.”
It’s the first time the national hautapu event will be held on a marae, having previously been held at Kā Papa Toitoi (Treble Cone) in Wānaka last year, Rotorua Skyline on Mt Ngongotaha the year before, and at Te Papa in Wellington in 2022.
“When we were asked about hosting, we thought it was most appropriate to come to Tirorangi Marae. It’s not our biggest marae but it’s all in the name: tiro (looking). Looking to the heavens – Tiro-rangi.”
When asked how preparations were going for the hautapu ceremony, Wilson said their iwi were fortunate to have maintained a lot of their early morning ceremonies over the decades.
“So even through the revival of Te Tahi o Te Tau, of hautapu has been something we’ve been working on in more recent times, it’s part of our life here in Ngāti Rangi, here in Whanganui [region].”
He light-heartedly revealed that theirs was a rural, farming community situated near the country’s carrot capital, Ohakune, so a carrot will be included in the kai that will be offered as part of the ceremony.
Mātāmua said one of the things he’s noticed this year is how regions and groups have started to “own” the celebration and “do it their way”.
“I think that’s a real sign that it’s going from strength to strength and become a real marker of our national identity of who we are as a people.”
What can people do on their day off?
Wilson said reconnecting to the environment is a good way of celebrating the day.
“So getting out for a walk in the bush, going for a walk along the river or the ocean is about reconnecting to nature.”
The weather looks promising for a brisk outdoor activity or stargazing. MetService said most places will see rain or showers today but the weekend is expected to be better.
The three themes that underpin Matariki celebrations can give people a hint as to what they can do on Friday too.
Mātāmua said remembering those that were lost over the year, celebrating “all of the wonderful things that make us who we are in Aotearoa”, and looking forward “in the hope of a bright and prosperous future” are key.
“I love the saying ‘Matariki hunga nui’, that means ‘the people of Matariki’ – that’s all of us. All of us here in this nation.
“We’re all connected together because those stars rise over all of us and I think that in a world that’s so easy to look at the things that divide us, we can use this as something to unite us.
“Matariki, hunga nui, it’s all of us.”
Glossary
Matariki – the Pleiades (star cluster)
Puanga/Puaka – Rigel (star)
Taumatakuku – Alderbran (star)
hautapu – ceremony held at pre-dawn to welcome in the new year
Te Tahi o Te Tau – the first month of the year
