As I sit to write this column, the nine stars of Matariki are starting to rise above me. Waipuna-ā-rangi, the star associated with rain; Pōhutukawa, the star associated with those that have passed on; Waitā, associated with the ocean and the food it contains; Tupuānuku, the star associated with food sources that grow in the soil; Ururangi, associated with winds; Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the star associated with granting our wishes for the coming year; Tupuārangi, associated with everything that grows up in the trees; Waitī, associated with bodies of fresh water and the food within them, and of course Matariki – the star of hope, reflection, connection to the environment and the gathering of people.
I a au e noho ana kia tuhi tēnei kōrero, ka tīmata Te Iwa o Matariki te marewa ake i ahau. Ko Waipun-ā-rangi, te whetū e tautuhitia i te ua, ko Pōhutukawa te whetū e tautuhitia i ō tātou tau kahurangi kua ngaro, ki Waitā te whetū e tautuhitia i te moana me te kaimoana (a Tangaroa), ko Tupuānuku te whetū o ngā kai katoa o te whenua (a Rongo-mā-tāne), ko Ururangi te whetū i ngā hau (a Tāwhitimātea), ko Hiwa-i-te-rangi te whetū i te korou o te manawa koronga mō te tau hou, ko Tupuārangi, te whetū o te manu me te hua rākau, Waitī, te whetū o te wai māori me te kai o aua wāhi, ā Matariki tonu– te whetū matua, te whetū o te tūmanako, te whakaaroaro, te tūhonga ki te taiao me te huihui o ngā tāngata katoa.
The celebration of Matariki is unique to New Zealand, and every year I feel that appreciation and respect for te ao Māori is growing in all our communities. Modern Matariki celebrations focus on revitalising traditional Māori practices, including arts, crafts, music and games, storytelling, celestial navigation, kapa haka and most importantly, te reo Māori.