Matariki is a time of new beginnings, a time to pause and reflect on the year that was and the year that will be. So naturally it is a time for people to take a look at their lifestyles, their health and make some changes for the better.

For a long time Maori people have been suffering in the state of their health. Diabetes, obesity, alcoholism and smoking are all areas of concern and areas that need to be addressed.

Matariki provides a perfect time for Maori specifically and New Zealanders more generally to take a look at the state of their health and lifestyle. With the help and information from the health centers, hospitals and medical staff Matariki could be a time of healthy beginnings and the beginning of a new awareness.

I recall listening to Michael King as he discussed the New Zealand character, and how that character can be seen in the days we celebrate and remember as a country. He talked about the 6th of February (Waitangi Day) and the 25th of April (ANZAC Day), remarking that these days represented many of the national characteristics many New Zealanders like to regard themselves as possessing – a sense of hope with one day, a sense of courage on the other. He then went on to say that we should continue to recognise our national character by choosing a new day, one that again represents a new coming of age; King put forward the 26th September (Dominion Day). Dominion Day is the name given to the anniversary of the day New Zealand was granted domino status with in the British Empire in 1907. I thought this date interesting, but wondered “Why aren’t Maori choosing the next one?”

To my mind, both Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day were days selected for Maori to participate within. In 1840, Hobson, Williams and Busby recognised the importance of signing the Treaty of Waitangi earlier, rather than later, so called forth signatories on the 6th of July. Equally, ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the landing to remember the 2,721 New Zealand soldiers who died in the eight month Gallipoli Campaign. Both involved Maori, but neither originated from the Maori World. It was then that I thought “why don’t we celebrate and remember the Maori New Year, as signaled by the rising of Matariki?” Well, it seems I’m not the only one thinking this here, we’d like to continue the discussion on designating Matariki as a day of national significance and making Matariki our own National holiday. There are a number of pros and cons to this discussion (one clear con is “What day IS Matariki?”), so we’d like to hear from you – what do you think…? Here are a few thoughts from others on this issue:

"Matariki won’t make up for our mixed up celebrations calendar, but it does promise to provide us with something that's uniquely about “us”. It is universal to Maori and Pakeha, because we all live with the opposite shifting of seasons. It can be a Thanksgiving feast, it can be the light and happiness of a winter Christmas, it could even be a little bit of Halloween dress-up and bereavement grief catharsis (6). Let’s start by lobbying our politicians to make it a holiday. And tell them not to be chinsy about it -- let’s make it two days, say a Thursday and a Friday? (7)"

"Such is the gathering pace of this celebration among Maori that there are now calls for Matariki to become a national holiday, replacing the birthday of a Queen who lives on the other side of the world. The Maori Language Commission has been leading that charge, saying Matariki is part of a natural indigenous cycle and deserves recognition. The historical significance of Matariki, and the global connection it provides with other cultures who celebrate the same event, also make it a great event to use as a hook.”

"To me, this means it is very logical that if we celebrate a Pakeha (non-Maori, or - more commonly - European or Caucasian) New Year, then it makes good sense to also celebrate Maori New Year (Matariki). If we are truly bi-cultural then neither New Year date is more important than the other."

Kia ora.

Te Papa will be offering special activities for our tamariki which will celebrate the Matariki with Starlab sessions, storytelling, lectures, performances, Kapa haka, and more. Events run from 4 June 2005 - 19 June 2005 and are free

Auckland Museum has an array of events organised to celebrate Matariki. The following are those that rangatahi/tamariki would enjoy most:

There is a wonderful site called New Zealand in History that tells how Maori kite traditions are embedded in Matariki. The following information comes from this site: Ancient Maori kite flying traditions have a highly symbolic connection to Matariki – the two were historically inseparable. Kites were seen as connectors between the heavens and earth.

Kite (or Manu) mythology is prolific in Maori folklore. Legends tell of Tawhaki trying vainly to follow Tangotango to heaven on a kite, of Rahi using a kite in pursuit of Te Ara and of Maui using kites to fly over landforms. Stories also focus on Matariki – one tells of Ranginui (The Sky God) lifting up out of the eastern horizon at the start of the Maori New Year, marked out with Matariki, Puanga, Takura (Sirius) and Tautoru (Orion’s Belt).
Ancient Maori were expert kite makers and flight controllers. Their kites were usually "tail-less", were gaily decorated, had varied sizes, shapes, names and purposes – from those used for light-hearted entertainment to kites used for highly significant spiritual rituals. Children and adults made kites - to practice whanaungatanga (social relationships), to reinforce tikanga/kawa (tribal lore), to commune with spiritual deities, to produce artwork, to perfect aerial movements, to test their skills in competitions (as in Manu Namu and Manu Kopua) and for fun to add their "touch" of vibrancy to the sky.

The "comeback" of Manu Tukutuku has been given extra impetus as Matariki celebrations have also become more widespread. New Zealand skies have once again become host to the colour and pageantry that is traditional Maori kite flying.

Auckland Museum will be holding Matariki kite making workshops on Sunday 12 June. So if you are interested in celebrating Matariki by making a cool kite, followed by a test flight outside the Museum book now (they're essential), call 09 306 7040 to secure your place.

If you would like to see how to construct your own kite - click here (instructions ki roto i te reo Maori).

Te Papa also has an interesting webpage discussing the signficance of manu tukutuku. They also have a picture gallery featuring a kite workshop that was held in 2003.

He taonga tuku iho, ko te manu tukutuku,
kua ngaro atu kë ki ngä hau e whä,
kua whakamïharo ä tätou nei ngäkau
kia puta ake ki te whaiao, ki te ao marama.

Translation: A treasured kite lost to the winds, brings much joy when found again.

"The whakatauki/proverb above illustrates Maori regard for manu tukutuku as a form of knowledge that has the ability to grow, heal, and nurture the living descendants of te ao marama (the world of light). The manu tukutuku is notable not just for its physical properties, but for its spiritual capacity to carry cultural ideals and values into the future."