The rise of Matariki (the cluster of stars also known as Pleiades) in the winter skies above Aotearoa is an important time in the Māori calendar, as it signifies the start of the Māori New Year. It’s a time to reflect on the year gone by, plan for the year ahead and celebrate with community.
At Unitec, we have events planned that align with Matariki, over the coming weeks, which are outlined below.
Matariki @ Unitec schedule:
Monday 13 June
8.30am: Karakia/Karanga mō Matariki – ngakau mahaki
9.00am: Kapū Tī – Manaaki
12.00pm-12.30pm: Paramanawa/Lunch & Waiata
1.00pm: Design & Contemporary Arts Exhibition Open – Puukenga
Tuesday 14 June
12.00pm – 12.30pm – Paramanawa & PASA performance: Ngākau Māhaki
Wednesday 15 June
12.00pm – 12.30pm – Paramanawa & Waiata
Thursday 16 June
12.00pm – 12.30pm – Paramanawa & Waiata
Friday 17 June
12.00pm: Matariki Hāngī – You can still place an order with dcameron@unitec.ac.nz until June 13
12.30pm: Performance – Te Puna O Wairaka Kapa Haka – Ngākau Māhaki – register with lrosieur@unitec.ac.nz
Monday 20 June
12.00pm – 12.30pm – Paramanawa & Waiata
12.30pm-2.30pm – Poi Workshop: Make your own poi – register with lrosieur@unitec.ac.nz
Tuesday 21 June at Waitākere
11.00am-3.00pm: Clothes swap for staff and students! – Whānau Room
11.00am-11.45pm: Matariki Quiz *prizes to be won* – Waitākere
12.00pm-12.30pm: Paramanawa/Kaitahi & Waiata – Waitākere
1.00pm-2.30pm: Poi/Papaora workshop – Waitākere
Wednesday 22 June
12.00pm-12.30pm: Paramanawa & Waiata
9.30am-12.30pm: Papaora Wānanga with Joy Tautuhi. Come learn how to weave your very own Papaora! For more info please email Joy.
jtautuhi@unitec.ac.nz
**Best Dressed Matariki Office Spaces – Judged Today
Thursday 23 June
9.00am-2.00pm: Manaaki Whenua Working Bee Mini Bioblitz with Tanya White. Come for all or part of the day – Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae
12:30 Shared Kai, Karakia Mō Matariki
Register with Tanya White twhite2@unitec.ac.nz
ABOUT MATARIKI
What is 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. Iwi across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and at different times.
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 European tradition 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.
The cycle of life and death
Traditionally, Matariki was a time to acknowledge the dead and to release their spirits to become stars. It was also a time to reflect, to be thankful to the gods for the harvest, to feast and to share the bounty of the harvest with family and friends.
Matariki revived
Matariki, or Māori New Year, celebrations were once popular, but had largely stopped by the 1940s. In the 2000s, they were revived. Now, thousands of people take part in events to honour the beginning of the Māori New Year, and in whānau celebrations to remember those who have died and to plan for the year ahead. In 2022, a public holiday marking Matariki will be held in June 24