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Matariki marks the start of the Māori New Year and at its core, this special occasion encourages one to remember the lost, celebrate the present, and look to the future.
Matariki is signified by a cluster of stars that appear once a year. This winter, Matariki will re-appear in the skies above Aotearoa from the 28th June – 6th July. This reappearance contains hundreds of stars but only nine are visible to the naked eye. Each star represents a significance in Māori culture and the unique characteristics have been honoured by Māori for centuries.
The Matariki public holiday it is a time for;
Here are some ways you can celebrate and acknowledge the Māori new year with your whānau this week!
Light from the stars is a key part of Matariki storytelling, so Westfield are lighting up The Rooftop to celebrate. Head to the Westfield Rooftop to check out the incredible installation this week!
With a huge emphasis on whānau and kai, what better way to celebrate than spending time with your tamariki teaching them how to plant and source their kai from the earth. The Warehouse have a wide variety of seeds to choose from to make it a personalised and memorable experience.
McGregor's Marathon Hybrid Broccoli Vegetable Seeds, available at The Warehouse
Learning about Matariki is the best place to start when immersing yourself in the celebration. Pop into Aēsop and grab yourself a free copy of Matariki- The Star of the Year by Rangi Matamua. This book is aimed to answer any questions you have about the holiday and while you're there take a look at the beautiful range Aēsop have on offer.
Matariki- The Star of the Year by Rangi Matamua, available at Aēsop
Matariki is all about spending time with your whānau. Have fun with your tamariki this week by completing some Matariki-focused activities.
Curious Kiwi Matariki Puzzle Double Sided, available at Whitcoulls
Gathering with your loved ones for kai is a huge part of the Matariki celebration. Kaimoana is a huge part of Māori diet so celebrate with New York Grill's Oyster happy hour. Enjoy freshly shucked oysters for just $2.50 each from 3-5pm daily - delicious!
Take a moment to reflect. Think about the past 12 months and journal all you've achieved in the past 365 days. This is a great chance to realign your goals and set you up for the next part of the year.
No Matariki feast is complete without Māori fry bread! If you've ever had the chance to try paraoa parai (fry bread) you'll know just how delicious these golden pillows are. Impress your whānau and test out this recipe from New World! Click here for the recipe.
Whatever way you wish to celebrate Matariki this year let it be full of kai, aroha and whānau time.
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