People around the world celebrate the New Year as the clock strikes twelve in their respective time zones. New Year’s Eve celebrations spread around the world like a wave.
The first region to celebrate the New Year is Kiritimati in Oceania. The small island, also known as Christmas Island, inhibits a time zone 14 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. But the first major islands to reach midnight are parts of New Zealand, one hour later.
Although New Zealanders are among the first in the world to ring in the new year on December 31st, it’s always the second time each year that they celebrate the event. The first is in June/July with the native Maori holiday of Matariki.
John Eric Home recently had a conversation with Waitārehu Hoyle who shared with us this amazing holiday.
1). Matariki begins the Maori New Year. Can you tell us about the history and significance of the holiday?
Matariki is a celestial event deeply intertwined with Māori cosmology. Its name can be translated to mean “eyes of god” (mata ariki) or “little eyes” (mata riki). The Pleiades star cluster, the celestial embodiment of Matariki, has nine stars, each carrying its own name and significance. In traditional Māori society, these stars served as navigational aids and agricultural calendars, with their brightness believed to foretell the abundance of the coming year’s harvest. Matariki is celebrated at the first rising of the star cluster in late June or early July.
For Māori, Matariki is a tapestry of cultural significance that threads through time and space. It connects us to our tūpuna (ancestors), our whenua (land), and our spiritual beliefs. It’s a focal point for our people, and each iwi (tribe) has its unique traditions and narratives.
During this time, we honour those who have left the physical world. By remembering them, we keep their spirit and teachings alive, allowing us to move forward with wisdom and love. It’s a beautiful blend of remembrance and renewal, creating a holistic cycle that resonates with many aspects of te ao Māori, the Māori worldview.
The increasing recognition of Matariki as a national holiday is a significant milestone in New Zealand’s journey toward biculturalism and the acknowledgment of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. Officially recognized in 2021, Matariki’s ascension to a national holiday status has provided the impetus for all Kiwi, irrespective of their background, to engage with Māori culture and values. This recognition is the result of years of advocacy and education, spearheaded by Māori leaders, astronomers, and cultural practitioners who worked hard to elevate Matariki from a cultural observance to a unifying national event. It opens doors for more extensive dialogues about indigenous knowledge systems, ecological awareness, and social unity—issues that are of ever-increasing importance in our modern world.
2). Māori beliefs insist on an underlying respect for nature. How does the celebration of Matariki reflect this belief?
Yes, Matariki is an expression of reverence for nature, and emphasizes our core principles like kaitiakitanga, or guardianship over the environment. In traditional Māori cosmology, the natural world is not an entity separate from humans; rather, we consider that we are an intrinsic part of it. Matariki is attuned to natural cycles. For example, her reappearance in the sky signals the end of harvest and the onset of a new planting season. And the brightness of the stars is regarded as a sign of abundance for the coming year’s harvest. Our people adjust their agricultural and fishing activities accordingly.
Traditional practices during Matariki, such as placing rāhui (restrictions) on certain natural resources, embody the concept of kaitiakitanga. These rāhui allow nature to rejuvenate and reflect an approach to environmental stewardship that is about balance and reciprocity rather than exploitation.
Matariki is also symbolic of the connection between sky and earth, linking Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, and Ranginui, the Sky Father. We consider ourselves the children of Papa and Rangi, reminding us of our duties to maintain the balance between these realms. It’s not merely an acknowledgment of the natural world but a celebration of its spiritual dimensions, including its own mauri or life force.
3). The Matariki cluster of stars is host to important legends. Can you speak on one or two of these legends?
I was raised on a beautiful pūrākau (legend) of Matariki that weaves together cosmology, environmentalism, and familial bonds in a uniquely Māori context. It encapsulates much of the wisdom that we have about the natural world, showcasing the interconnectedness of all things.
In this legend, Matariki is the whaea (mother) who cares for all, and her eight daughters assist her in this grand task:
- Waitī: Guardian of all fresh waters—lakes, rivers, and streams. Waitī instills in us the value of freshwater ecosystems and encourages their care and preservation.
- Waitā: Guardian of the sea and all that is within it. Waitā oversees our marine life and ocean tides, underscoring the importance of sustainable marine practices.
- Waipuna-ā-rangi: Keeper of the skies, the rains, and the moisture. She nourishes the land, reminding us of the intimate connections between the heavens and the earth.
- Tupu-ā-nuku: Guardian of edible plants and the nourishment that grows directly from Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother. Tupu-ā-nuku teaches us about the value of sustainable agriculture.
- Tupu-ā-rangi: Keeper of the trees and the birds, this daughter asks us to care for our forests and our avian life, recognizing them as indicators of the well-being of our land.
- Ururangi: Guardian of the winds, responsible for the different winds and breezes that help circulate life across Aotearoa. She helps us recognize the impact of climate on all living things.
- Hiwa-i-te-rangi: This daughter is the keeper of our hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Hiwa-i-te-rangi encourages us to aim high, to seek out valuable goals, and to aspire to achieve them for the collective good.
- Pōhutukawa: Often associated with those who have passed away, Pōhutukawa connects us to our ancestors and those who reside in the spiritual realm. This connection enriches our living world, reminding us of the cycle of life and death, and the continuity of existence.
Together with their mother, they complete the natural world, demonstrating how interconnected and interdependent each aspect is. This legend encapsulates the essence of respect for the natural world, portraying a holistic approach to environmental care and sustainability. The story serves as a yearly reminder of our duties and responsibilities during the Matariki celebrations.
4). When celebrating the holiday, do any of these legends play an important role?
Yes, absolutely. There are so many incredible events held throughout the country that speak to the legend of Matariki and her daughters. We have things like community storytelling events at marae and libraries; exhibitions and performances that bring the story of Matariki and her daughters to life; and educational workshops on traditional Māori knowledge. Many communities now organize eco-focused activities like tree planting that embody the teachings of Tupu-ā-nuku and Tupu-ā-rangi; and spiritual ceremonies, like candle-lit vigils and karakia (prayers) that focus on Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-rangi, connecting us to our ancestors and guiding our future aspirations. But what makes Matariki unique is its celestial aspect. Star-gazing events, guided by iwi experts, combine science with spirituality, helping us relate to each star’s mythological importance. Many Māori will ascend their maunga (mountain) during this time to spot Matariki and her daughters.
5). Can you tell us of other traditions that are on display during the celebration of the Maori New Year?
Another fun tradition is kite flying. Kites are seen as connectors between the sky and the earth. When we fly a kite at this time, it’s like we’re sending our prayers, wishes, and messages up to our ancestors. It’s a way to maintain strong family bonds and remember those who have passed away.
The designs on the kites often carry significance too. They can represent tribal motifs or family narratives, and that makes the act of kite-flying even more meaningful. It’s not uncommon for families to come together to craft these kites, and that in itself becomes a way to pass down traditions and keep our cultural identity vibrant.
Traditional kites are often made from natural materials like flax, tying back to the Māori principle of kaitiakitanga, which is all about guardianship and sustainable interaction with nature.
6). How do you and your family celebrate the holiday?
The heart of our Matariki celebrations is always family, or as we say, whānau. We gather around for a grand hākari, a shared feast that’s as much about community as it is about the food. Before we eat, each of us talks about our aspirations and hopes for the coming year. But before we look forward, we pause to remember and honor those who are no longer with us, especially those we’ve lost in the last year.
As for next year, we’re planning to rise early and view Matariki from one of our many beautiful maunga (mountains). Returning to our maunga allows us to literally and figuratively touch the soil our ancestors walked on. It strengthens our bond to our history and our identity as Māori. A mountain isn’t just a peak; it’s a symbol of our collective stories, struggles, and triumphs. By climbing it, we’re not just reaching a physical summit; we’re also attaining a spiritual closeness to who we are and those who came before us. These pilgrimages are open and welcoming to everyone, both Māori and non-Māori. It’s a remarkable opportunity to learn from experts in Māori culture and to connect with the land and its history.
7). What does Matariki mean to you?
Gosh, all of the above but also, Matariki is like a guiding star in my life, both literally and metaphorically. It’s a time when I feel the past, present, and future come together in a beautiful tapestry. The past is there in the stories we share, the memories of loved ones, and the ancestral lands we reconnect with. The present is in the feast, the laughter, and the sense of community that we experience right then and there. And the future? Well, that’s in the dreams and hopes we openly talk about, almost as if saying them out loud under the Matariki sky will help them come true.
For me, Matariki also embodies the essence of my iwi, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, and Whakatōhea. It’s a time to honor our unique traditions and narratives. It gives me an immense sense of pride and grounding, reminding me of who I am and where I come from. But it’s also a chance to look forward, to plan how I will contribute to my community and the wider world. It’s a beautiful cycle of renewal that keeps me anchored while also encouraging me to reach for the stars, quite literally. So, Matariki means the world to me; it’s a celestial anchor, a cultural cornerstone, and a personal compass all wrapped into one.
8). What is your most favorite part of the holiday?
My favorite part of Matariki is whānau, or family. But in Māori culture, ‘whānau’ extends beyond just blood relatives. It includes a wider network of community, mentors, and friends. During Matariki, this sense of an extended family really comes to life. It’s a time when everyone—elders, young ones, and everyone in between—comes together to share experiences, from feasting to storytelling. It’s this collective sense of belonging and interconnectedness, all under the Matariki stars, that makes the holiday so special for me.
9). Is there a personal story or anecdote from a past celebration of Matariki that you might be willing to share with our readers?
This year’s Matariki held special significance for me and my husband. We’d spent the last three years in Rosslyn, Virginia, a wonderful community that became an exciting chapter in our lives. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we couldn’t visit our whānau in New Zealand as often as we’d have liked. During that challenging period, the friendship and support from our Rosslyn neighbors became invaluable (we love you Amanda, Richard, Lindsey, and Nate!). They filled a void, reminding us that family isn’t just about blood ties; it’s also about the supportive communities you find along the way.
We returned to New Zealand in December 2022, and celebrating Matariki here in June 2023 felt deeply emotional. It was as if we collectively exhaled, finally relishing the joy and relief of being reunited with children and grandchildren. So this year, Matariki wasn’t just about our reunion with our New Zealand whānau; it was also a time to think about our American friends who helped us get through the tough times abroad. It was a unique Matariki, made all the more memorable by the challenges and distances of the previous years.
10). What else would you like our readers to know about the holiday and its traditions?
If any Americans are considering a trip to New Zealand, I’d highly recommend planning it around Matariki. The experience is transformative, not just in a cultural sense but also in a deeply personal way. It’s a poignant and beautiful time to be in New Zealand, whether you’re enjoying a feast, listening to stories, or even climbing a mountain. The atmosphere is charged with a sense of community, remembrance, and shared hope for the future.
Matariki has a universal appeal that transcends cultural boundaries. It invites everyone to reflect, celebrate, and aspire, all while enveloped in the natural beauty that New Zealand offers. So if you’re up for an adventure that enriches both the mind and the soul, Matariki is the perfect time for it. Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. If I don’t know the answer, I can always forward it to someone in NZ who can help! Yes, we really are a small and connected country, and we LOVE welcoming Americans and sharing our beautiful country: wai.hoyle@waitarehu.co.nz
Also, if you’d like to find out more about Matariki, I recommend visiting this official Matariki site and this one about Matariki Festivals.
