Matariki - Māori New Year
Pipiri 2006 - June 2006
Kānapanapa mai ana a Matariki
Matariki shines on the New Year
During Matariki we celebrate our unique place in the world. We give respect to the whenua on which we live, and admiration to our mother earth, Papatuanuku. Throughout Matariki we learn about those who came before us: our history, our family, our bones.
Matariki signals growth. It's a time of change, a time to prepare and a time of action. During Matariki we acknowledge what we have and what we have to give. Matariki celebrates the diversity of life. It's a celebration of culture, language, spirit and people. Matariki is our Aotearoa Pacific New Year.
Matariki is fast becoming the focus for the revitalisation of Māori
language. It is a way in which many organisations choose to draw
attention to the important place of te reo Māori in Aotearoa.
Other traditional knowledge of the Māori world is also highlighted
and celebrated.
Matariki tribal celebrations are held at different times by different tribes. For some, feasts are held when it is first seen. For others, it is the full moon after it rises that is celebrated and for others, celebrations are centred on the dawn of the next new moon. Each winter the stars of Matariki and Puanga signal the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Matariki is visible to the naked eye on a clear winter evening after the full moon from early to late June each year. In 2006 Matariki is expected to be visible on Friday 2June. King Tides are another feature of Matariki.
There are many stories about its cultural significance as a navigational star and also as an indication of bountiful harvests. Some iwi believe Matariki is the mother surrounded by her seven daughters.
Matariki Programme for Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi - Christchurch City Libraries
Matariki artwork by local Māori artists Kerry Lee Marsden and Ariana Sutton
(New Brighton Library 2006)
Monday 12th June - 19th June- Display of beautiful Maori wood carvings from by local artist George Edwards at Papanui Library
- Monday 12th - 30th June
- Matariki colouring competition at New Brighton Library - see winning entries below
- Thursday 15th June
- As part of Matariki celebrations New Brighton Library is holding a Putiputi / Harakeke Flower weaving workshop on Thursday 15th June, 4pm in the Ngā Taonga Māori / New Zealand area. Flax provided, just bring your matihau/fingers!
- Tuesday 20th June: Fendalton Library
- To celebrate Matariki there will be a demonstration of Maori instruments at Fendalton Library on Tuesday 20 June, 1.45 - 3pm.
- Wednesday 21st June: Matariki at New Brighton Library
- 10:30 - Star Storytime
11:15 - Star Wand Workshop - make your own star wand for Matariki
12:00 - Star Parade with Natural Magic - Thursday 22nd June
- Richmond Primary School pupils will treat the Central Library to a performance of waiata in the ground floor foyer at 10.30 am.
- Saturday 24th June
- Matariki themed Story-time at 11.00am at the South Library. Our special guest host is Sarah Franks from Manawanui Dance Theatre.
Monday 26th June: Matariki events - As part of Matariki celebrations Parklands Library is holding a Putiputi / Harakeke Flower weaving workshop on Monday 26th June, 4pm in the Easy Zone / Café area. Flax provided, just bring your matihau/fingers!
Matariki artwork by local Māori artists Kerry Lee Marsden and Ariana Sutton (New Brighton Library 2006).
New Brighton Colouring Competition winners
Here are two of the winning entries in New Brighton Library's Matariki Coluring In Competition. We received a lot of very creative entries and these are on display at New Brighton Library until the end of the school holidays (17 July 2006).
