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The Katikati community is invited to come together to connect, learn and observe the Māori New Year (Te Mātahi o te Tau) at its fourth annual community Matariki dawn event on July 10.

Hosted at Te Whare o Rahi, Park Road Reserve on Park Rd, in Katikati, by Western Bay Museum in collaboration with mana whenua Te Rereatukahia o Ngāi Tamawhariua, the free event is a time for the community to come together to celebrate Matariki by setting new goals, remembering those who have died and the sharing of kai (food).

Museum manager Paula Gaelic said the theme this year is honouring Ururangi, the whetū/star representing ‘the winds of the sky’, connected to the weather god Tāwhirimātea.

Set new goals

“With Matariki being the time when the star cluster appears, for many, they now use it as a time of year to set new goals, remember those that have passed and to let some things go.

“It’s also about looking forward to what we’ve got coming in the year ahead. It allows us to reset for going forward.”

She invites the community – young and old – and of all backgrounds to enjoy an extraordinary morning where the window to Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) is opened wide.

Ngairo Eruera, a respected pūkenga matua (senior lecturer) in te reo Māori based in Tauranga, would lead the hautapu ceremony – a sacred ritual dedicated to remembering loved ones who have died, making food offerings to the Matariki star cluster, and looking forward to a prosperous new year.

Expert on-site

“He’s an expert on Matariki and we’re so privileged to have him. We’ve also got Hingangaroa Smith – our museum’s pou patauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge lead).

“They have intergenerational knowledge which they’re sharing with us. So it’s really great.”

Gaelic said the 5-metre replica Waka Taua Te Au o Maui, (carved Māori canoe) will again be placed at the reserve for the event.

“The waka has brought this amazing wairua [spirit] to the museum and I know it will bring wairua to this event too.”

Learning for everyone

Smith said Matariki is a time for learning for everyone – including Māori. “For a lot of Māori, the knowledge has always been there but it’s only been in pockets … so we’re quite fortunate to have Ngairo [Eruera] who is an advocate and gives everyone access to it.”

Afterwards, a hangi breakfast made by Terri from Hangi Kai and fry bread burgers made by Aaron Nauer from Otawhiwhi, will be available.

“The sharing of kai [food] is a very important cultural part of the event,” Gaelic said. “Event attendees can have the choice of either – through our Kaupapa Māori Event Funding we’re able to pay for the breakfast and event requirements; marquee, seating, portaloos etc, so everything is free.”

She said the event had to be held at dawn, so people could see the Matariki cluster, “and on a perfect morning, it is just fabulous with a crisp, clear sky on the harbour’s edge – I always feel privileged to be part of this".

“For those unsure or nervous about heading out early on a winter’s morning – we have a big marquee up so if weather is bad they won’t get wet.

“We have lots of seating for those who can’t walk far, and the entry at the reserve is lit so people can see their way to the marquee.

“We also have fire braziers for whānau (families) to keep warm. Our fantastic Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade will also be present to keep the event safe.”

All of us

From his first Katikati Matariki dawn event last year, Smith said the event certainly feels like a Māori New Year.

“With the rituals and festivities involved and the togetherness … I think that’s the magical part of Matariki. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Samoan, Māori or Chinese – Matariki shines on all of us at the end of the day.”

People are encouraged to arrive at the Te Whare o Rahi, Park Road Reserve, at 5.30am