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:
- Wednesday 8 July: Official opening of Ngā Wai a Te Tūi new space
- Thursday 9 July: Our Library team celebrates a new home for our kohinga Māori collection
- Tuesday 28 July: Manaaki Whenua Working Bee: This manaaki whenua working bee is an opportunity for us as a Unitec Te Whare Wananga o Wairaka whānau, to support our own wellbeing through connection to the whenua (land). By helping to take care of our wāhi tapu, our sacred spaces here on campus, you will learn about Te Waiunuroa o Wairaka (the natural spring named after Wairaka), rongoā Māori (medicinal plants including harakeke) and the biodiversity which the healing waters of Wairaka sustain.
- Waiata with Kimoro back on at Ngākau Māhaki (the wharenui) with a new time of 12.00 – 12.30pm on Thursday afternoons.
- Free Te Reo classes for staff start again this Tuesday from 1.00 – 2.00pm, with Chance Taylor – register here
- Kura Pō evening classes: Level 1 and Level 2 are now full, but there are a couple of spaces left in Level 3 and Level 4 classes. Act quickly if you’re keen, or keep these courses in mind if you’re looking at improving your knowledge of te reo Māori in future.
About Matariki
The Manaaki Whenua working bee is an opportunity to connect with the land
For Māori ancestors, astronomy was interwoven into all facets of life. Experts would observe the sky, making notes on star and planet movements, the relationship of those stars and planets to the moon and sun, while noting what was happening around them on land and in the oceans, lakes and rivers. All these celestial objects were given Māori names and their stories were woven into the history of the people.
One of these star groups is Matariki, the Māori name given to Pleiades, an internationally recognised star cluster that can be seen all over the world. The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa is an important time in the Māori calendar, as it signifies the start of the Māori New Year.
Historically, new year celebrations provided the opportunity for communities to come together to acknowledge the year gone by and make plans for the year ahead; to celebrate with kai, kōrero, rituals and entertainment.
For a time, these celebrations dwindled in popularity, but at the beginning of the 21st century a cultural renaissance occurred, making this special time of the year an important part of the Māori calendar. Today, everyone in Aotearoa has the opportunity to celebrate the unique places we live in, show respect for the land we live on and to share and grow together, with traditions continuing in Matariki Festival celebrations each year.
(Credit: Matariki Festival website)
For other Matariki events, visit the Auckland Council ‘Matariki Festival’, running until 15 July 2020.