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An ancient Maori celebration of the heavens was rediscovered by Aucklanders. Matariki - the Maori New Year - is an important lunar period on the traditional Maori calendar. Each year at the end of May, hundreds of Maori observe the rising of the star constellation, Matariki, othewise known as the seven sisters or Pleaides.
The Maori New Year begins with the first full moon following the sighting of this constellation in the east, just before dawn. The rising of the constellation also marks the change from the shortening days of winter to the growing days of spring and the start of the Maori planting and fishing calendars.
To celebrate Matariki, eight free events were organised in Auckland voluntarily by Maori community members with the help of Auckland City.
Tatai Whetu, the first in the event series, was held at the Artstation in Ponsonby
from June 4 - 20. In this exhibition, seven artists representing the seven stars of Matariki
explored sculptural form and weave life stories into fibre. Tatai Whetu featured Waikarere Gregory, Kelly King, George Nuku, Whare Joseph Thompson, Paora Te Rangiuaia, Tanya Reihana Te Waiti and James Webster.
Running
simultaneously at another Ponsonby Art Gallery, Mataora Gallery, was the
Piata exhibition featuring rangatahi (youth) artists from June 4 - 29. Artists included Melaina Newport-Karaitiana, Charlotte Graham, Cecelia
Kumeroa, Maiangi Waitai, Hemi MacGregor, Tuhi Hollis, Nigel Borell and
Karl Chitham.
Maori
author, film-maker and dancer, Pita Turei had also organised overnight
stays at marae and waahi tapu (sacred sites) around Auckland to observe
Matariki - Te Maunga Rei O Potaka Marae in Mt Wellington on Friday June
21 and a camp at Motu Korea the following day. These sites are administered
by the Department of Conservation, Auckland City and Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki
as Public Reserves.
Shortly before dawn on the shortest day of the year, an ancient ceremony was carried out on the two waahi tapu to usher in the Maori New Year. The programmes began with a 5.30 am prayer followed by other Maori ceremonial activities and a hangi at 6.45 am.
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A final highlight for the Matariki celebrations was the Mana Whetu (Power of the Stars) event at Auckland's Stardome Planetarium on One Tree Hill. This multi-media presentation used actual deep-ocean footage, star patterns, and ancient incantations to tell the story of a young navigator's quest to learn the skill of wayfinding across the Pacific. The story told of how he used signposts of his environment to navigate his way to Aotearoa - waves, birds, clouds, and stars.
Coincided with these events was a special Maori rataka or diary called Matariki He Maramataka Maori has been published beginning with Hinamarama (the new moon) on June 11/2002. The lunar months weave through the months of the Gregorian calendar to 20 June 2003, the final date of the last cycle, completing the Maori calendar year for 2002/2003.
For
more information, call (09) 353 9585 or (021) 186 9906
or visit:
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/matariki
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