MATARIKI FESTIVAL

The festivals that celebrate the cultures of Maori and Pacific Islanders are very numerous. Storytelling through song, dance and action are key activities for these cultures and events like the Festival Maori Aotearoa Maori Performing Arts, held annually, provide entertainment enjoyed by thousands of people.

CELEBRATIONS: 1 and 2 January: New Year. February 6: Feast of Waitangi. From 25 to March 28: Easter. April 25: Day of the Armed Outliers Australia and New Zealand (ANZAC). June 6: Official Party Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. October 24: Labor Day. 25 and 26 December: Christmas.


HISTORY OF MATARIKI




Matariki has always been an important time in the Māori calendar.

Heralded by the rising of the star constellation known as Matariki, the Māori New Year signalled a time for connecting with, and giving thanks to the land, sea and sky. It was a time for the community to come together to farewell those departed and acknowledge the year gone by. It was also a time to turn to the future, welcoming the new generation to the world and planning for the year ahead.

In addition Matariki was a time when people would gather to share kai, rituals, entertainment, hospitality and learnings.

While the pre-dawn rising of the star cluster Matariki is referred to as 'Te Tau Hou', the New Year, for many Māori the first new moon after the rise of Matariki signalled the start of the New Year celebrations, with the moon (Marama) being central to activities of harvesting kai and the start for all things new.

Historically, the star cluster was a navigational aid for Māori and an indicator of the upcoming seasons. If the stars were clear, it was a sign that the year ahead would be warm and therefore productive. If they were hazy and closely bunched together, then a cold year would be in store.

Matariki celeberations were popular before the arrival of the Europeans in New Zealand and they continued into the 1900s. Gradually they dwindled, with one of the last traditional festivals recorded in the 1940s.

At the beginning of the 21st century Matariki celebrations were revived and have become a special time of the year to respect the land we live on, celebrate the unique place we live in and continue to share and grow with each other.