We sang a beautiful waiata called Matariki by Rahera Davies on the beach last year to kick off our Matariki celebrations. This year we are doing this waiata again...we've added stars pōhutukawa and hiwaiterangi to our lyrics.

This waiata was written by Rahera as a request from her Mum, Julie who was a kaimahi at the time for Te tari taiwhenua (Department of Internal Affairs). She wrote the song in 10 minutes. It has a huge following. People contact Rahera from all over NZ and the world.  This waiata is an example of how Māori can keep their stories alive. Many people contact Rahera to ask for permission to perform this waiata and Rahera is of the belief that waiata are written to be shared and sung.  She does stress the importance of sharing with the group/or whoever is singing it who the composer of the song is.

I am sharing this hoping we can have all our whānau be able to join in with the waiata. Words and translation below.

Matariki by Rahera Davies - Lyric Video

Matariki

Matariki

E ara e

Te Mātahi o te tau

Te Kohinga whetū

I te uma o Ranginui

E pīataata mai ana

Whaka-ata-ata i te rangi

E tohu ana

I te tau hou Māori e

Ko Tupuānuku

Ko Tupuārangi

Ko Waitī, Waitā

Waipuna ā rangi

Ururangi e x2

Ko Pō-hutu-kawa e 

Ko Hiwai-te-rangi e

Matariki e ara e

Te Mātahi o te tau

Te Kohinga whetū

I te uma o Ranginui

E pīataata mai ana

Whaka-ata-ata i te rangi

E tohu ana

I te tau hou Māori e

Matariki

Matariki

E ara e

Translation into English

Matariki, rise

First month of the Māori year

The collection of stars

In the chest of Ranginui

Shining bright

Reflecting in the sky

Indicating the Māori New Year

Tupuānuku

Tupuārangi

Waitī, Waitā

Waipuna ā rangi

Ururangi e

Matariki rise

(Rahera Davies, 2015)

Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment, and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and well-being of people.

Waitī is associated with all freshwater bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.

Waitā is associated with the ocean and food sources within it.

Waipuna-ā-rangi is associated with the rain.

Tupuānuku is the star associated with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food.

Tupuārangi is associated with everything that grows up in the trees: fruits, berries, and birds.

Ururangi is the star associated with the winds.

Pōhutukawa is the star associated with those that have passed on.

Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star associated with granting our wishes and realising our aspirations for the coming year.

The last two stars mentioned, Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-rangi, are particularly important to us this year as our focus is on reflecting on what we can learn from the past and those who have passed on in order to realise our aspirations for the coming year.