Matariki is a time for remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future.

At our Prefects Assembly today, I spoke about Matariki and why we celebrate. For Māori, the rising of Matariki signals te Mātahi o te Tau, the Māori New Year. The appearance of Matariki in the morning sky is a sign for people to gather, to honour the dead, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.

The theme of Matariki this year is Matariki mā Puanga, a phrase which acknowledges both Matariki and Puanga as tohu (signs) of the new year. It's also an invitation for us to celebrate different traditions and tikanga from across the motu.

Learn more about both Matariki and Puanga and find resources to help you celebrate them on the Matariki website.