Kei ngā whānau katoa e noho taurikura ana ki ngā pitopito o Tauranga Moana, nau mai piki mai ki tētahi kaupapa whakahirahira hei whakanui i a Matariki.

“Ko Matariki ahunga nui” - “The great mounds of Matariki” 

Matariki is a time when food is stored and shared. This proverb speaks of hospitality, togetherness and the sharing of food. 

At 5.45am on Thursday 1 July, a group of students, teachers and whanau from the community met to observe the rising of Matariki at Mōtītī reserve in Papamoa East. 

Matua Heemi Gilbert led a karakia and short korero about the meaning and significance of Matariki. Matariki is the name of a star cluster (also known as the Pleiades in Greek and Subaru in Japan) which Maori legend tells is the star Matariki and her children, some iwi believe there are 7 stars in the cluster and some believe there are 9. Matariki is also a marker of the beginning of the Maori New Year.

Matua Heemi pointed out the star cluster which was clearly visible in the cloudless sky, on the horizon above Motiti Island, he also pointed out other stars such as Takurua (Sirius) and Puanga (Rigel) which mark the coming of the new year to other iwi in Aotearoa.

Te Tuinga Whanau and Hapai Rangitahi performed a waiata chosen especially for Matariki, and we made our wishes for the year ahead.

It was still dark as we made our way back to the car park where we were all treated with complimentary hot drinks provided by Little Drum Coffee.

It was the perfect way to start the day, and we hope it will become an annual college event. Thanks especially to Matua Pere Durie and Matua Heemi Gilbert for making this special event happen.