We asked some of our parishioners what Matariki means to them:

Manawa maiea te putanga o Matariki

Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi

Manawa maiea te Matahi o te tau

Celebrate the rising of Matariki

Celebrate the rising of the Lord of the sky

Celebrate the rising of the New Year.

For me Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year and the chance for a fresh start. The opportunity to acknowledge, remember and celebrate those who have passed. And those who will come in the future.

Matariki is a time to prioritize spending quality time with whānau.

Our Tupuna would look to Matariki for guidance with their harvesting. When Matariki disappeared in April-May, it was time to preserve the crops for the Winter season. When Matariki appeared in June-July, our Tupuna knew clear bright stars promised a warm Winter, and hazy stars warned of a bleak Winter.                          Nadia Roberts

Professor Rangi Mātāmua gives us three guiding principles for celebrating Matariki:

* Remember those who have died (particularly in the last year)

* Celebrate the present with friends and family

* Look to the future with hope.

We are going to celebrate using these principles on Friday 14 July.

Ngā mihi, Gavin & Raina Kingsley