In pictures: Our people celebrating Matariki across the motu,country

As the earth tilted away from the sun and our winter days shortened, the star cluster of Matariki (Pleiades) became visible in the sky for the first time since winter last year. The appearance of Matariki (and, for some, the star ‘Puanga’) heralds the start of a new year and is a time for remembrance, gratitude and looking to the future.  

For many iwi and hāpu, Matariki was a time when the harvests of the summer season would be stored to sustain the people through the winter and planning for a new season could begin. It was also a time to retreat to the warmth and safety of a home base. 

This year Matariki was officially celebrated as a national holiday on 13 July, but celebrations surrounding that date took place up and down the motu (country). 

Across our organisation Matariki and Puanga celebrations were held on Fire Stations, community spaces and wahi tapu (sacred sites). We invited our friends, whānau and other agencies such as Police and St John to join us for a ceremony at dawn when we were most likely to see the stars. Below is a collection of photos from these celebrations.

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