Gather, reconnect and reflect
The Cooling Winds of Matariki
sponsored content, with Tourism New Zealand
For a more immersive experience, put on your headphones and explore traditional Māori music.
Play Ngā Taritari o Matariki music
Whether you’re travelling or staying home, check out our guide to celebrating Matariki.
Look up to the winter sky before sunrise and you might notice an unusually bright cluster of nine stars, just above the horizon. That’s Matariki, the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea.
For centuries the appearance of this cluster in midwinter signified the beginning of the Māori new year - and finally, its appearance has been commemorated with a public holiday on Friday, June 24.
You can celebrate this occasion as Māori have for generations. By returning home, gathering with whānau to celebrate the present, and looking forward to the promise of a new year - all while sharing kōrero, kai and waiata.
And when you look up, remember to take note of how Matariki shines - the brighter it is, the more abundant the coming year will be.
Ngā Taritari o Matariki (the Winds of Matariki)
To help us celebrate the inaugural Matariki public holiday, Grammy award-winning Māori instrumentalist, Jerome Kavanagh, has crafted a bespoke composition that calls on New Zealanders to gather, reconnect and reflect with whānau and loved ones, and enjoy the celebration of Matariki together.
The composition available here welcomes the cooling winds of Matariki and encourages listeners to return home and gather at the places that nourish them.
“When creating the song, I really wanted to honour the sounds of the wind and the idea of travelling back home to where you’re from,” says Jerome.
The passing of wind through these traditional instruments in the practice demonstrates a connection to the environment, inspired by Tāwhirimātea [god of wind and weather].
“The whole theme is around returning home to your whānau (family) and friends when you feel the change in seasonal winds. I wanted to create a piece of music that used only Taonga Puoro to help people rest, revive and create something that people all over the world could use.”
The result? A stunning composition that acts as an outlet to reflect, think of family, be transported home and look up at the stars to feel connected as our ancestors once did.
Whakanui: Celebrate Matariki
For thousands of Kiwis Aotearoa-wide, this will be the first time they’ve celebrated Matariki.
If this is the first time for you, no worries - we’ve got a quick and easy guide to how you can use this occasion to reconnect, recharge and celebrate.
Scenic views over Makokomiko, in the Rangitikei Region (Jerome's whenua)
Scenic views over Makokomiko, in the Rangitikei Region (Jerome's whenua)
Reconnect
Matariki is a great chance to spend quality time with friends and whānau. That might mean returning to your roots to spend a few nights with whānau, exploring your old stomping ground and seeing a few old friends. Or just popping round to a mate’s place for dinner.
You don’t need to spend big either. Historically during Matariki, it was always too cold for working outside so Māori would share kai that had been harvested and stored throughout the year. A potluck dinner is a great way to recreate this and get everyone together while sharing the financial and time burden of preparing food.
Whatever you do, take this time to share aroha for those closest to you - and those who’ve drifted away. In the spirit of Matariki, take this time to reconnect.
Recharge
Most of us have a million and one things to do and not enough time in the day. This fast pace might keep us out of trouble, but it can also take its toll. Matariki is a great chance to slow down for a while, be still and rest - to recharge and prepare for the coming year.
How do you relax? You could rug up and get outside, explore your neighbourhood and get to know its rivers, trees and local animals. Or take a moment to stargaze at night when it's quiet.
Perhaps you could settle in for the night, light a few candles and swap stories about loved ones who’ve passed - or roast a few marshmallows in front of the fire.
Whatever you do, take this time to share aroha for those closest to you - and those who’ve drifted away. In the spirit of Matariki, take this time to reconnect.
Celebrate
Matariki is a celebration - of the year that’s been, of each other and of the future. So enjoy that Friday off work, and make the most of it.
Plan a night in, sharing stories, good kai and a couple of drinks with the people you care about. Treat yourself and the whānau and do something together that brings aroha and laughter to these cold winter evenings.
Haere : Travel Matariki
If you don’t fancy spending the evening at home, you can also celebrate by heading out and experiencing one of the many Matariki events on offer from light shows and music, to film, art and food. Click here to find out more about what’s going on this Matariki.
In Auckland, there’s the Matariki Festival 2022, which features 80 events across Tāmaki Makaurau, including traditional kite flying, musical performances and visual art exhibitions.
In Wellington, check out the Matariki ki Pōneke festival, or visit Te Papa and experience an immersive and educational walk-through journey which uses fire, light, performances and projections to tell stories of Matariki.
New Plymouth, Christchurch, Nelson, Dunedin and Arrowtown are all hosting festivals of light, featuring artworks, illuminated displays and immersive experiences.
Keen to experience the best of Matariki all over Aotearoa?
Visit https://www.newzealand.com/nz/matariki/ for more information about events and activities taking place to help celebrate across New Zealand
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