As the Matariki public holiday approaches, the Waitaki community can take their pick from a number of events, to help celebrate the Māori New Year.

Matariki is one of the brightest star clusters in the sky, only visible in the early morning during mid-winter in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Its appearance signifies the Tangaroa period of Piripi, when the moon is waning and moving towards a new moon, in the first month of the Māori lunar calendar (June or July). 

It also means the celebration of the Māori New Year, and since 2022, has been marked by a public holiday.

Matariki is seen as a time for reflection and renewal. Remembering those who have passed and preparing for the future.

Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori co-ordinator Ana Tangaroa says the group has organised a Matariki Hautapu, with the help of Stronger Waitaki and Te Hā o Maru Health, at Makotukutuku (Cape Wanbrow) this Friday (June 20) at 6.30am, followed by kai at the Ōamaru Fire Station at 7.30am.

The Hautapu is a ceremony held at dawn to honour those who have passed, give thanks for abundance and the harvest and set intentions for the year ahead, she says.

Ana is working with Mani Malloy-Sharplin of Te Hā o Maru to make this year’s event happen. 

She says last year, a celebration was run with Waitaki Multicultural group.

“We've actually done Matariki with them the last couple of years, and last year we managed to get him involved to do a hangi. And so that was at the Migrants Meet and Share that they have every month, and so that was their Matariki celebration.”

The significance of the Hautapu ceremony is that four out of nine of the stars represent different food groups, “and so this is our way of showing gratitude and appreciation for the year's harvest”, Ana says.

“And, of course, to bring in the Māori New Year.”

The ceremony begins with a karikia and karanga, and acknowledging Pōhutukawa (the star which represents those who have passed in the last year. 

“Once we acknowledge our loved ones who have passed, we then offer food to the stars . . . we have food cooking during the ceremony, and once we've honoured our loved ones, that is when we honour the other stars and unveil some cooked food and then the steam rises up and that's our offering to them,” Ana says.

There will then be a waiata to end, before local astronomer Damien McNamara shares his knowledge on the stars, and the Matariki cluster.

“So we’re very lucky to have him available for that … because he has one of those massive lasers where you can actually point to stars, so we know which ones he's talking about,” Ana says.

Damien will be offering his expertise at another Matariki event organised by Ōamaru Library at Makotukutuku (Cape Wanbrow) on Thursday morning at 6.30am.

The frosty mornings across Waitaki this week have presented the perfect opportunity for stargazing, and Ana hopes the clear skies will hold for Friday.

“Once Damien's given his kōrero, we will head down to the fire station for a Matariki-style meal, which will represent the four food groups of the stars.” 

Tupuānuku is associated with the food grown in the ground, and Tupuārangi with the food grown above the ground and from the sky, including birds.

Waiti represents all freshwater and the living creatures in the rivers, streams and lakes, and Waitā is associated with the ocean and all the types of food it provides.

“Which is traditionally, they were the main food groups that our ancestors would harvest,” Ana says.

“So when I say Matariki-style breakfast, they'll be representing those food groups.”

The food is being provided with help from Stronger Waitaki, Waitaki Multicultural and Te Hā o Maru

The public is invited to attend the morning ceremony and share the kai. Ana says they are expecting to cater for around 300 people.

As well as the two dawn ceremonies, other events being held in the district include a colouring competition and scavenger hunt organisd by the library. Toddler Storytime on Thursday at 10.30am will have a Matariki theme, with singing and a special Matariki haka.

There is also an evening whānau storytime for all ages tonight (Wednesday) at the library. People are encouraged to come in their PJs or snuggly clothes and bring their favourite pillow or blanket to listen to stories by lantern light.

“Stories will be told, songs will be sung, supper will be served,” the library says.

There is also a new Matariki Waitaki Storybook Trail in place along Ōamaru Harbour to help get the kids out and about over the long weekend.