Mānawatia a Matariki - 2023

We acknowledge and honour the appearance of Matariki, marking the new year for many Māori.

This page has been pulled together to help you learn and take part in celebrations during this significant time of year for Aotearoa, New Zealand.

If you have any pātai (questions) or whakaaro (thoughts) about this page please reach out to us via: kaupapamāori@fireandemergency.nz 

Directory:

• About Matariki 
• Ways to celebrate 
• The meaning behind 'Mānawatia a Matariki'
• When Matariki will be most visable
• Online module to learn about Matariki (20mins)
• Recorded videos from our 'Kawhe me te Kōrero' online classes
• Rauemi (resources)
• Events happening in your region
• Register a Matariki celebration 

About Matariki.

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Matariki is a time for remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future. 

For Fire and Emergency, Matariki is a time when we can reflect on who we are and what we do. Acknowledging Matariki reflects the inclusive and respectful values we want to embed in our organisation.

To find out more about Matariki you can sign up for the introduction to Mātariki 'Kawhe me te Kōrero - Coffee and Conversation', below.

Ways to celebrate.

 It's important to note that iwi and hapū across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and at different times, and below are some simple ways you can mark Matariki: 

• Look up! Can you see Matariki? Depending on where you are in the country you will see different stars. Have a look online for the different phone apps which can help you spot the cluster in your rohe, area.
• Light a candle (safely) to remember loved ones who are no longer with us
• Learn something new, like the traditions of this country which go back hundreds of years!
• Get into nature, Matariki is an opportunity for to honour our environment
• Make plans for the year coming, maybe plan to grow a garden?
• Exchange handmade gifts
• Have a Matariki feast
• Attend a local celebration (check out the directory of events happening in your region)
• Finally have fun! You can spend this time telling stories, playing board games or learning waiata

If you're keen to find out more about ways to celebrate Matariki you can sign up for the 'Kawhe me te Kōrero - Coffee and Conversation' below, on hautapu and other ways to honour Matariki.

The meaning behind 'Mānawatia a Matariki'.

If you’re looking for a way to articulate the celebration of Matariki, then you can say ‘Mānawatia a Matariki’. This phrase was developed by Professor Rangi Mātāmua and Hēmi Kelly.

“Matariki doesn’t come out of a western context, it’s Māori” Rangi says, ”so if you’re trying to apply a greeting to the Matariki celebration where you say hari (happy) Matariki or meri (merry) Matariki – it doesn’t make sense.”

So Rangi and Hēmi developed the phrase Mānawatia a Matariki – meaning to honour, acknowledge, and welcome in Matariki. “It’s important that if we’re going to celebrate something that comes out of a Māori context, we use the correct terms and the correct language around the celebration.”

Click below to watch Hēmi Kelly explain the meaning in this 1 minute video via Professor Rangi Mātāmua's Facebook. 

(external link)

When Matariki will be most visible.

Similar to Easter, the official date to recognise Matariki will change each year. This year the date to officially welcome the appearance of Matariki is Friday 14th of July. In saying that, the time for Matariki celebrations are different across the motu (country) and can take place leading up to and after that date. Professor Rangi Mātāmua has also informed us(external link) that this year Matariki will become visible from the 10th of July. 

Online module 'Mānawatia a Matariki - Celebrate Matariki'

As part of our pilot for Te Aho Tapu (Cultural Capability Framework) we are trialling some online modules on a range of kaupapa with Au Consulting. One of their interactive modules is on Matariki and covers;

- Karakia

- Introduction

- Māori Astronomy

- The stars of Matariki

- How to celebrate Matariki

Simply pop our Hiwa-i-te-rangi team an email here and they will send you detials to login to the Au Consulting platform. 

Recordings of our 'Kawhe me te Kōrero - Coffee and Conversation' classes

And that's a wrap on our three Kawhe me te Kōrero wānanga that we ran for Matariki. We recorded each wānanga and have posted the videos below so you haven't missed out!

Hautapu and other ways to honour Matariki

Āhea | When: Monday 12th June | 12.30pm - 1.30pm

This session has already taken place, check out the recording below or via this link(external link)

Rekoata | Recording: (Give it a bit to load...)

 

Kōrero: This wānanga is for anyone keen to know more about running a hautapu karakia(external link) for Matariki or would like to know about other ways they can honour Matariki

Kaikōrero
Antony Ruru  Senior Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery and Senior Firefighter for Te Karaka Fire Brigade
Albert Cash  Pou Takawaenga Māori, Māori Liaison Officer, Te Hiku and Station Officer for Kawakawa Fire Brigade

 

Te Tāwhara Kai Atua mā Matariki: The Sacrificial Offerings for Matariki 

Āhea | When: Wednesday 28th June | 12.30 - 1.30pm 

This session has already taken place, check out the recording below or via this link(external link)

Rekoata | Recording: (Give it a bit to load...)

 

Kōrero: Ranginui Rikirangi-Thomas will take us through the sacrificial offerings of kai (food) for Matariki

Kaikōrero
Ranginui Rikirangi-Thomas Lecturer at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Piki Thomas  Deputy Chief Executive Kaupapa Māori and Cultural Communities

Introduction to Matariki

Āhea | When: Thursday 29th June | 12.30pm - 1.30pm 

This session has already taken place, check out the recording below or via this link(external link)

Rekoata | Recording: (Give it a bit to load...)

Kōrero: This wānanga is for anyone keen to learn more about Matariki and how this is a significant time of year for many Māori.

Kaikōrero
Albert Cash | Pou Takawaenga Māori, Māori Liaison Officer, Te Hiku and Station Officer for Kawakawa Fire Brigade

 Ngā Rauemi (resources)

If you know of a great rauemi to add to this list please let us know about it here. 

Rauemi	Description	Visual	Links to access
"Beyond Matariki" four episodes hosted by Professor Rangi Mātāmua	Join Professor Rangi Mātāmua as he explores the depth of knowledge that pertains to Māori astronomy	(external link)	Acess here(external link)
Matariki Handbook	From explanations, ceremonies to Karakia and ideas on how you can observe and participate in the Matariki, this handy booklet will provide a guide. It includes: An overview of Matariki Te Ritenga – Matariki Ceremony What you can do to celebrate Matariki? Te umu kohukohu whetū me te hautapu (The ceremonial oven and offerings for Matariki)		Download here [PDF, 2.8 MB]
Matariki Karakia Booklet	This booklet, featuring karakia written by Tā Pou Temara and Professor Rangi Matamua, equips us with the relevant knowledge to understand the traditions of Matariki.		Download here [PDF, 7.4 MB]
Matariki Gratitude Cards	Matariki is a time for reflection. Use the Gratitude Card to remember the things in your life for which you are thankful. This an activity you could do by yourself, with your team or your whānau.		Download here [PDF, 156 KB]
Matariki Planning Cards	Matariki is a time for planning for the future. Use the Planning Card to set intentions for the coming year. This an activity you could do by yourself, with your team or your whānau.		Download here [PDF, 155 KB]
FENZ Teams Background	Celebrate this time of year by using a Teams background for your hui during the week of Matariki or even for your Kawhe me te Kōrero sessions		Download here [PNG, 2.2 MB] Left click the image after it loads and click "Save image as..." to download to your device.
Matariki Teams Background light			Download here [PNG, 110 KB] Left click the image after it loads and click "Save image as..." to download to your device.
Matariki Teams Background dark			Download here [PNG, 89 KB] Left click the image after it loads and click "Save image as..." to download to your device.

Events happening in your region.

This directory of events are being updated daily so pop back to see what's been added.

Alternatively if you know of an event happening in your rohe (region) or you're running an event you'd like to register to let our people know about, let us know via this form so we can add it below(external link).