Stars in their eyes for Matariki festivities
23 Jun 2009
Festivity is in the air this month as New Zealanders lift their eyes to the heavens for the rise of Matariki - the Pleiades star formation - in southern hemisphere skies.
It’s now officially mid-winter down-under so this week, as the Matariki stars come into view on 24 June, Kiwis across the nation will get together to celebrate the dawning of the Māori New Year.
This uniquely New Zealand festival, spanning the mid-winter period, is a harvest festival and a celebration of Māori culture and arts.
Cultural celebration
Matariki is an ancient custom that has experienced a revival in recent years. The modern celebration is marked with a national festival of events, and some community leaders have called for it to become a national public holiday.
The official 2009 Matariki festival runs from 24 June to 24 July, and includes large public events across the country, as well as many more smaller local and family events.
Traditionally, Matariki was a family festival with emphasis on food and hospitality.
Today, Kiwis are encouraged to participate in Matariki by making a new year wish, getting together for a feast with family and friends, planting native shrubs or traditional Māori foods, gathering food from their garden to share with others, flying a kite or taking part in a concert.
From stargazing to story-telling and feasting to foraging, Matariki is also a prime opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse into Māori culture and enjoy the fruits of New Zealand’s abundant harvest.
Matariki eventsSeven Sisters concert - Te Papa, Wellington
25 June 2009
Starry performances as seven Māori women poets, singers, musicians, and comedians perform work celebrating Matariki and the prestige of wahine (women).
Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand
Native Noise concert - Town Hall, Auckland
26 June 2009
Leading New Zealand musicians celebrate Matariki in a heritage setting. Performers include: Kiki, Katchafire, Three Houses Down and Cornerstone Roots.
Native Noise concert
Matariki Māori short film festival - Te Papa, Wellington
2 July 2009
National travelling programme of new contemporary Māori short films curated by Te Roopu Whakaata Maori i Te Wairoa Inc - the Wairoa Māori Film Festival Society.
Wairoa Māori Film Festival Society
Manu Aute kite day - Orakei Reserve, Auckland
11 July 2009
Kite flying has a symbolic connection to Matariki, with kites seen as connectors between the heavens and earth. The skies above Orakei, on Auckland’s waterfront, will be full of giant kites dancing in the winds over the Waitemata.
Manu Aute kite day
Kapa Haka performances - Te Papa, Wellington
11 & 12 July 2009
Māori performing arts groups from around New Zealand celebrate iconic Māori composers of the 20th century. The event will also stream live on the internet.
Kapa Haka at Te Papa
Star Lab - Te Papa, Wellington
Until 12 July 2009
Visit the mini-planetarium to see the Matariki constellation, and learn about its importance to Māori.
Te Papa Museum
Earth & Sky Stargazing - Mt John Observatory, Tekapo
Year-round
Guided early-evening family tours to view the night sky, learn about international astronomy, and the giant telescopes. Late-night adult stargazing tours also running.
Earth & Sky stargazing
Matariki Events - nationwide
List of events taking place across New Zealand.
Matariki Festival
Matariki Collection - NZ On Screen
Marking Matariki 2009, NZ On Screen has launched an online collection of iconic Māori television programmes and films. The collection, curated by Māori broadcaster Whai Ngata, features well known titles, as well as material considered significant to Māori social history. Titles include:
• Tangata Whenua
• Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu the Māori Queen's Tangi
• Pounamu
• Ngati
• Once Were Warriors
NZ On Screen
Background: Matariki
Matariki is a cluster of stars otherwise known as the Pleiades and the Seven Sisters. The rise of the star cluster is the lunar signal for Māori New Year.
Matariki translates either as mata riki / tiny eyes or mata Ariki / eyes of God. The eyes are said to watch over the land and its people.
The celebration has special significance in terms of food and hospitality, as it was timed to fall at the end of a harvest when food stores were full. Families and friends came together to feast on the food gifted by the land and sea, and to plant new crops.
The brightness of the star constellation indicated how successful the year’s harvest would be.
More information:
Matariki video news release
Matariki - Māori new year
Traditional Māori feast gets new twist for Matariki
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| Matariki 2009: Chefs Peter Gordon and Wiremu Joseph at Turangawaewae Marae. |
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