The national Matariki celebration signals a significant shift in the way we identify with tangata whenua in Aotearoa, recognising Matauranga Māori culture and identity as offering a valued unique perspective in this part of the world.

In her reflection on Te Kāhuiwhetu (The constellation), Marama Hotere from Taitokerau Rohe captures the hope invested in following different seasonal traditions and how the recognition of the new Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 impacts upon her life.

The Matariki celebration is old knowledge, reintroduced and reharnessed to help shape our understandings of living in Aotearoa today. Dawn vigils were held throughout the country and were marked by the sharing of rich kōrero, karakia, karanga, waiata and kai. Festivals gathered people together to stargaze, share memory and aspirations for a future together as a distinct nation of different peoples with varied traditions.

Mānawatia a Matariki: Marama Hotere

At our recent Taitokerau Rohe karakia in Kaikohe I was reminded that we have entered the phase of the star Puanga along with the Christian season of Pentecost. Puanga the bright star of Rigel in the Orion constellation signals the coming of Matariki Pleiades. Puanga for those of us from Hokianga heralds the Māori New Year. A time to wānanga, to deliberate and reflect upon the nature of our relationships in community. A time to deepen those relationships and connections with the land, the sea and each other. On Friday 24 June we as a nation will have celebrated our first ever national Matariki public holiday.

We ended our Rohe karakia with a rendition of the benediction, all members in full chorus. To me, the benediction symbolises the final blessing, an act motivating us to move into the world with a renewed sense of purpose. In recent weeks I have heard eloquent Matariki Te Reo Māori prayers sharing that same sense of purpose. These blessings recall the lore of our ancestors who celebrated the appearance of these stars every year. Our ancestors tracked the movements of the stars across the night sky and this along with other signs of nature helped to regulate community life. The signs indicated the appropriate times for various food production activities and leisure periods.

‘Mānawatia a Matariki’ (Celebrate Matariki) is a form of greeting that is used at this time of year, I hope that everyone has used that phrase and indeed celebrated Matariki. What were the Matariki events that took place in your local community? What events might you, your parish, congregation, or Rohe be able to support next year?

In our lectionary, Matariki is recorded as an event however, there is no biblical reading assigned to this day. Engaging in theological reflection as a collective activity helps to lift these matters out of the pages of the Bible and into our Aotearoa context making them live. What more could you do to celebrate this time of the year and throughout the season of Pentecost?

In the week leading up to Matariki Day my Kura Kaupapa Māori school here in Whangarei held two days of parent interviews. It is important to reflect with parents the Te Reo Māori journey their child has undertaken and celebrate their children’s successes and places where improvements can be made. We are thrilled that we are the first Northland school to attend the screening of The Lion Kingin Te Reo Māori.

As we go about our daily activities this Pentecost, I encourage you to take the time to refresh yourself in community activities and shed those things that don’t serve your higher purpose. Most importantly in this Puanga and Matariki season look after your personal health and wellbeing.

God of creation and of transitions,

May our lives be filled with thanksgiving and praise for your countless blessings during this time of Matariki.

These lights brighten the New Year and offer us guidance.

Help us to read your signs and follow you wherever you are leading us to be.

Matariki who has many admirers, Matariki who brings us together.

‘Matariki hunga, Matariki ahunga nui’

May the signs of nature and the season be blessed.

Mānawatia a Matariki