Happy Aotearoa Pacific New Year
I’m so glad we have a public holiday to celebrate the Queen’s birthday on June 7th. I wish we also had a holiday to celebrate Matariki which started today (June 6th) .
According to the Maori Language Commission, “Each winter the stars of Matariki and Puanga signal the end of one year in Aotearoa, and the beginning of the next. Traditionally Maori recognised the rise of Matariki as a time to celebrate and prepare for our indigenous new year.”
I like the thought of pausing at this time of year to reflect on how things are going. To think about everything that’s happened over the past year and to plan and look ahead to the next twelve months.
Matariki is an awesome time to celebrate all the great things we have in life: our families and friends, our gifts and talents, our provision, the blessing of being able to live in such a beautiful country … We are truly blessed as New Zealanders!
There are so many resources we can use to celebrate Matariki at home, in our workplaces and in schools. Here’s a couple:
Maori Language Commission
Matariki Booklet
Here’s a poem that sums up Matariki from the MLC booklet:
Matariki – A Celebration
During Matariki we celebrate our unique place in the world.
We give respect to the whenua on which we live,
and admiration to our mother earth Papatūānuku.
Throughout Matariki we learn about those who came before us.
Our history. Our family. Our bones.
Matariki signals growth.
It’s a time of change.
It’s a time to prepare, and a time of action.
During Matariki we acknowledge what we have
and what we have to give.
Matariki celebrates the diversity of life.
It’s a celebration of culture, language, spirit and people.
Matariki is our Aotearoa Pacific New Year.
Happy Matariki everyone!
How are you planning to celebrate Matariki?