![](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2EIEBMTK4TTSDUQM73VHDWVTJ4.jpg?auth=b56d9f455de816b90adecc7fa2a768bc12821aeeaeecc2f7dc914ff492a5b9c9&width=16&height=2&quality=70&smart=true)
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
With Aotearoa celebrating its first te ao Māori statutory holiday, Matariki has inspired debate around how it should be celebrated. Award-winning writer and photographer Qiane Matata-Sipu says some people will research and participate in Matariki, while others will not engage.
"Kei a rātou; we can't control everyone," Matata-Sipu said. "There are so many people right across the country that are excited and are learning about Matariki. Let's focus on that in the first instance."
The author, activist and mum of one spoke at last week's ground-breaking M9 Matariki event, alongside eight other inspiring wāhine Māori about their success and reflected on their road to that.