Mānawatia a Matariki - 2024

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

For the last two months, our Kaupapa Māori and Cultural Communities Branch have been running 'Kawhe me te Kōrero' - Coffee and Conversation, online sessions to help you learn more about Matariki, Puanga and the dawn ceremony referred to as Hautapu.

Over 100 of our people signed up to attend these sessions, and if you missed the opportunity you can catch the recordings below:

Kaupapa	Youtube link	Runtime
‘Matariki’ with renowned Māori Astrologer, Rereata Mākiha	https://youtu.be/8v3c6IKDeU8(external link)(external link)	56mins
‘Puanga’ with leading expert Che Wilson and Puti Akapita	https://youtu.be/OxI1ppzeji0(external link)(external link)	49mins
‘Hautapu’ with our own Piki Thomas, Hōri Mana and Brad Turner	https://youtu.be/Uc2M5UXyPTg(external link)(external link)	56mins

Directory:

Kawhe me te Kōrero - Coffee and Conversation

These sessions were recorded and can be accessed above

Date

Kaupapa

Kaikōrero

(find out more about them on the register page)

Wednesday 29th May

12pm - 1pm

Hautapu

In mid-winter, when Matariki appears on the eastern horizon in the morning, a ceremony takes place.

This ceremony is commonly known as 'whāngai i te hautapu' – or hautapu for short. It means to feed the stars with a sacred offering.

Join this session with our own Poutakawaenga Māori | Māori Liason officer for Te Hiku, Albert Cash as he speaks about what is involved in hautapu and how you can acknowledge this time of year by running your own.

Matariki Karakia booklet

Alb's session will reference the karakia booklet produced by Te Arawhiti written by Tā Pou Temara and Professor Rangi Mātāmua. Email: kaupapamaori@fireandmergency.nz for a physical version if this booklet or download it from this website: Matariki Karakia Booklet(external link)

Albert Cash

Poutakawaenga Māori - Te Hiku

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Whātua

Thursday 6th June

12pm - 1pm

Matariki

The appearance of Matariki in the sky is right around the corner, and we are extremely lucky to have renowned Māori Astrologer, Rereata Mākiha for this Kawhe me te Kōrero on Matariki.

Whether you're new to learning about Matariki or looking to expand your knowledge, this session is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about this significant time of year.

Rereata Mākiha

Māori astronomer and a leading authority on the Maramataka (Māori lunar Calendar)

Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa, Rangitāne

Tuesday 18th June

12 - 1pm

Puanga

For whānau on the parts of the westcoast of Aotearoa including the Far North, Taranaki, Whanganui, Pōneke, the Hutt Valley, and parts of the South Island, Puanga can be seen as it rises higher in the sky than Matariki. The brightness and clarity of Puanga indicates how fruitful the year ahead will be.

We are very fortunate to have Puti and the team from Te Kāhui o Puanganui-o-te-rangi(external link) to provide this opportunity to learn more about the significance of Puanga, and what you, your whānau, your brigade and community can do to celebrate this special time of year.

Ngaputiputi (Puti) Akapita

Kaikōrkiri Kaupeka - Paunganui o te rangi(external link)

Ngāti Rangi ki Whanganui, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Maru, Taranaki iwi, Te Atiawa

About Matariki and Puanga

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Matariki signals the beginning of the Māori New Year. However, iwi Māori in some locations favour the rise of Puanga because Matariki sits low in the eastern horizon and is therefore not always visible from their location. Puanga can be seen in the eastern sky and is celebrated by iwi in Whanganui, Taranaki, parts of the Far North, and parts of the South Island.

Matariki

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades.

Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea (‘The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea’) and refers to a large cluster of stars, known in some European traditions as the Pleiades. According to Māori tradition, the god of the wind, Tāwhirimātea, was so angry when his siblings separated their parents, Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother, that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.

There are over 500 stars in the Matariki cluster – but only a handful are visible without the use of a telescope. Each of the stars has their own unique characteristics that Māori acknowledge and honour.

Pōhutukawa connects us to our loved ones that have passed on.
Tipuānuku determines the bounty of foods such as kūmara and the name Tipuānuku means to grow in the ground.
Tipuārangi is linked to birds and other elevated foods such as fruits and berries from trees.
Waitī is associated with all freshwater bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.
Waitā is associated with the ocean and all life within this domain.
Waipunarangi is associated with the various forms of rain that we experience throughout the year as it falls from the sky and washes over the earth, nourishing all living things.
Ururangi connects us to the different winds and this whetū determines the nature of these winds.
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is the youngest star in the Matariki cluster. She is the star to which our dreams and aspirations are connected too. It is to Hiwa that Māori would send their dreams and desires for the year in the hope that they would be realised.
Matariki signifies reflection, hope, the gathering of people, and our connection to the environment. Matariki is also connected to the health and well-being of people. At times Matariki is viewed as an omen of good fortune and health.

Puanga

Puanga is a single whetū (star) also known as Rigel and is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. It's not part of the Matariki cluster but appears in the evening sky shortly before Matariki rises each year. Puanga rises higher in the sky than Matariki so it's recognised by iwi and hapū that can't see Matariki from their location. This is not a rejection of Matariki as many of these iwi will still refer to Matariki and the other names in the constellation in their narratives – however, Puanga is given preference.

Puanga kai rau

The abundant harvest of Puanga

The kererū synonymous with Puanga kai rau (noted above) because during this time of year the kererū is fat after eating the miro and tawa berries. The large amount of berries ferments in the bird’s stomach causing drunkenness – making the kererū very easy to catch. This meant kererū were the food of choice during Puanga celebrations.

Ways to celebrate the appearance of Matariki & Puanga

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 this time of year:

Look up! Can you see the stars? 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 and Puanga are an opportunity for to honour our environment
Make plans for the year coming, maybe plan to grow a garden?
Exchange handmade gifts
Have a hākari, a 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

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)

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
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.