It’s our newest public holiday, unique to Aotearoa. Matariki marks the start of the new year in these islands, the start of a new growing cycle and time to remember, celebrate and look to the future.

The star cluster Matariki rises during Pipiri (June/July) and becomes visible before sunrise as a faint sparkle of tiny dots above the north-east horizon.

As Polynesian settlers adapted to their new land of Aotearoa, they realised that the rising of the star cluster signalled the start of a new growing cycle. How the stars looked also carried a signal – clear bright stars are a good omen, while hazy stars foretell a cold, harsh winter. When the cluster disappears in April/May, it is time to preserve crops for the winter season.

Matariki is also said to mark the moment the spirits of those who have died over the past year become stars.

After centuries of celebration within Māori communities, other New Zealanders are embracing what really is our unique occasion. Since last year we also mark it with a public holiday – the first to be grounded in indigenous culture rather than brought from elsewhere.

In line with Māori tradition, official Matariki celebrations are themed on:

• Remembrance: Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.
• Celebrating the present: Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.
• Looking to the future: Looking forward to the promise of a new year.

Ōtautahi Christchurch has some excellent spots for sighting Matariki. You will need to be in position about 5:30am so don some woollies, fill your Thermos and head for the hills. You want a good view to the north and east, out to sea off the coast of New Brighton.

To find the cluster, start by spotting The Pot or Orion’s Belt (the bottom three stars of The Pot are known as Tautoru) in the east not far above the horizon. A little to the north, you will see a bright orange star – this is Taumata-kuku. Draw an imaginary line between Tautoru and Taumata-kuku, then keep following that line further to the north until you hit a cluster of bright stars. Congratulations! You've found Matariki.

Events

Tīrama Mai

The annual Puaka-Matariki festival of light will this year feature specially commissioned artwork and several interactive installations. Victoria Square will be host, with innovative installations lighting up the area, projecting onto surrounding buildings and illuminating the Avon River Precinct. Victoria Square, Fri 7 – Sat 15 July, 5 – 10pm, ccc.govt.nz

Matariki at The Arts Centre

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre has nearly three weeks of celebrations in its Matariki festival programme, which runs from 3 – 20 July.

Maisey Rika // The award-winning singer-songwriter and Arts Foundation Laureate tops the festival bill. Maisey Rika rarely tours to the South Island and The Arts Centre is bringing her to Ōtautahi for one performance in the majestic setting of the Great Hall.

Ka Noho, Ka Mate // From local musicians, there’s a new show called Ka Noho, Ka Mate, created with the kaupapa of Matariki in mind. The performers are Lyttelton music legend Delaney Davidson; university lecturer, reo teacher and hip hopper Kommi Tamiti-Elliffe; theatre and orchestra veteran Heather Webb; singer-songwriter and producer Mark Perkins; and Taipua Adams, stalwart of the Wellington underground scene.

Matariki Mākete // On Sunday 9 July, Māori artists and craftspeople will join regular stallholders to show and sell their art and crafts at The Arts Centre’s Matariki Mākete.

Aro // Bilingual duo Charles and Emily Looker are Aro. Their music includes elements of folk, soul, haka and a touch of jazz. They will be performing He Rākau, He Pepeke (Tales of our Trees), inspired by the natural heritage of Aotearoa.

th’Orchard // Mark Vanilau (musician, songwriter) and Solomon Smith (spoken word, vocalist, musician) return to the festival stage this year. Get ready as they share their stories through song and spoken word.

Visual Arts // An exhibition of selected works by well-established and earlier-career Māori artists in Pūmanawa gallery is curated by Ngahina-Belton Bodsworth, who has put together a layered exploration of intergenerational influence, support and challenge. Artist Maxine Burney is offering a series of Navigating Your Arty Self workshops in her studio for anyone wishing to begin or extend their exploration of sketching, drawing and colour.

Heritage star-gazing // Join a small group tour of the rebuilt Observatory Tower and view the Southern Sky through the Victorian-era Townsend Teece Telescope, under the guidance of Townsend Observers from the University of Canterbury.

Lumière Cinemas // A sisterhood of Māori female directors share their insights into the complexity of child abuse in Waru, a sequence of eight short films that seamlessly become one.

artscentre.org.nz