We’re only hours away now from our fifth Matariki public holiday. We’ve wrapped up mahi early(ish) and are ready to join the masses on the roads as we’re called home to the Centre of the Universe (our whānau would happily debate that one with you!) – to a small town called Te Teko.
It has me thinking about where this all started for us five years ago, and how we make space for new opportunities in our lives. This public holiday has given us something incredibly precious: time away from the grind of everyday life. Time with whānau. Time to reflect. And time to create new and lasting traditions.
Five years ago, celebrating Matariki this way was completely new to us. There was, and still is, a lot of learning as we shaped a tradition centred around whānau, teaching our tamariki, and expressing ourselves as Māori.
Each year we return to our homestead, Te Rito, to celebrate the rising of Matariki through ceremony – te whāngai i te hautapu. Led by our eldest brother, we each take responsibility for one of the whetū, sharing kōrero, karakia, and preparing our offering to Matariki.
Every year we aim for growth, and this year marks a special milestone. Our eldest daughter, Manawataki (yes, our business is named after her!), will have her first formal role, standing for Ururangi.
The other tamariki all play their parts too, leading waiata, preparing kai and bringing life to the party. Our kids just love it - getting up "in the middle of the night" (at 4am), layering up in all of their warmest clothes, lighting a bonfire to prepare for our umu and helping the uncles to keep it going. We talk about their connection to the whetū and the relevance of each one in our daily lives. Their favourite part, of course, is the hākari – sharing beautiful kai together afterwards and toasting marshmallows over the fire as we continue to warm ourselves through the cold morning.
If we’re lucky and the skies are clear, we catch a glimpse of Matariki rising above the treeline of the neighbouring farm just as the sky begins to lighten.
Long after our Matariki celebrations are over, our tamariki still look for and love to point out the small cluster of whetū in the night sky. They continue to reflect on everything they know about it and share their memories of our celebrations together. And when this happens, we know we’ve created something truly special and meaningful.
Every year our ceremony changes a little. The tamariki are older. They understand more. They take on new responsibilities. Our traditions continue to grow with them.
As we close out one year and begin the next, our whānau will be taking time to give thanks, remember those who came before us, and think about what we hope the coming year will bring.
E mihi nui ana ki a koutou katoa i tēnei wāhanga whakahirahira o te tau. Wishing you all a relaxing, reflective and rejuvenating Matariki!
