We acknowledge those who have gone before us.

Mānawatia a Matariki✨

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki

Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi

Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau

Matariki is a time to remember our ancestors and those who have gone before us since the last rising of Matariki.

We also remember the many whānau not shown in this remembrance video.

We reflect on their lives and legacies and remember and honour them 💖

https://fb.watch/lS1LIUgbsk/

With Matariki rising in the sky, it is a time to remember and honour loved ones who have departed. This celestial event allows communities to come together, sharing stories, memories, and experiences of those who have passed on. It is a time to celebrate their lives and acknowledge their impact on our journeys.

One symbol closely associated with Matariki is pohutukawa, where the spirits of the deceased gather among the stars during Matariki, reflecting the notion that death is not an end but a continuation of the eternal cycle of life. The rising of Matariki encourages us to remember our ancestors and loved ones who have passed away, fostering a sense of gratitude for their contributions and the wisdom they have imparted.

During Matariki, engage in activities to honour the memory of those who have departed. These may include gatherings, storytelling, waiata, and kai shared in remembrance of loved ones. It is a time to come together, share memories and reflect on the legacy left behind by those who have shaped our lives.

As the stars of Matariki illuminate the night sky, they serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things—past, present, and future. Through celebrating Matariki, we find solace in remembering and cherishing the lives of those who have touched our hearts. It is a time to embrace the lessons and memories they have left behind and carry their spirits with us as we journey through life. In this way, we weave past threads into the fabric of our present, embracing the interconnectedness of generations and ensuring that the memories of those who have passed away live on in our hearts.

Mānawatia a Matariki

The Stars of the Matariki Cluster:

Matariki (f) connected to health and wellbeing and is also the Mother to the other stars in the cluster

Pōhutakawa (f) connected to those who have passed on, in particular those that have passed since the last rising of Matariki

Tupuānuku (f) connected to food grown in the ground (eg kumara etc)

Tupuārangi (m) connected to food from the sky (eg birds etc)

Waitī (f) connected to fresh water food (eg tuna etc)

Waitā (m) connected to salt water food (eg fish etc)

Waipunarangi (f) connected to rain

Ururangi (m) connected to winds

Hiwa-i-te rangi (f) connected to your dreams and desires for the year ahead.

The Principles for Matariki

Matariki is a time of reflection, celebration and preparation.

The three key principles for Matariki are:

Matariki Hunga Nui

Remembrance

Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.

Matariki Ahunga Nui

Celebrating the Present

Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.

Matariki Manako Nui

Looking to the Future

Looking forward to the promise of a new year.

Matariki Kāinga Hokia

Matariki calls you home

The theme for 2023 is Matariki Kāinga Hokia.

This year, we encourage everyone to return to their whānau and their people, wherever and whoever that might be. We want people to journey back home and celebrate, feast and be with whānau and friends.

Furthermore, the theme is also underpinned with important environmental messages. The various stars in Matariki invite you to return to where you are from and reconnect with the mountains, rivers, ocean and land. It reminds us of our responsibility to the places we call home.

The values of Matariki

The values that are associated with Matariki are listed below. These values are embedded in the traditional practices of Matariki.

Aroha

Love and respect for one another

Whakamaumaharatanga

Remembrance

Kotahitanga

Unity

Tohatoha

Sharing

Mana Taiao

Environmental awareness

Hākari

Feasting

Wānanga

Discussion

Noho tahi

Coming together

Atawhaitanga

Kindness

Whakanui

Celebration

Tuakiritanga

Identity