LOGIN:
Matariki is a time for whānau, hapū, iwi, hapori Māori and the wider community to gather to remember the year that has passed, to celebrate the present and to plan for the next year. It is a time to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, to share kai and celebrate with whānau and friends as we all look towards the coming year full of hope.
With Whiro, the new moon, now upon us, preparations for Matariki are well underway and this week it has been a pleasure to receive invitations to events across the motu.
One event I will try not to miss is Te Patunui o Aio – Taken from Paradise, the first ever whakaari/production by Te Pā o Rākaihautū here in Ōtautahi!
All pononga are in rehearsal mode for the production, which tells the story of Rākaihautū in the ‘kōrero tuku iho’ of Waitaha – his journey from Te Patunui o Aio where he was taken from paradise near the Easter Islands due to a tidal wave; how he made his waka Uruao and sailed across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific Ocean, to land on Te Ika-a-Māui and then eventually landing on Te Waka-a-Māui in Whakatū.
He continues his adventure walking around Te Waipounamu naming and digging the lakes as he explores while his son Rakihouia sails the Uruao waka from Whakatū to Rapanui rock off the Heathcote Bay entrance. Rākaihautū eventually arrives at Waitaha, and he lays his Kō to rest on Tuhiraki at Akaroa Harbour.
Te Pā o Rākaihautū will host two matinee sessions (Tuesday, June 27, 10am-12pm and Wednesday, June 28, 10am-12pm) and tickets are $2 each from the tarikura. There is also one night performance on Thursday, June 29 at 5.30pm. Tickets for this event can be purchased here. If you are in Ōtautahi, I encourage you to show your support for our Te Pā o Rākaihautū whānau, but note tickets are limited.
This week we feature some of the Matariki events happening in Te Waipounamu over the next month. If you are holding a Matariki event and you would like us to share, please get in touch. We would also love to see photos from Matariki events involving our whānau entities, Whānau Ora partners, and Whānau Ora Navigators.
Kia pai ō koutou wā whakatā
Te Iwa o Matariki is a community celebration to be held in Kaikōura at Fyffe House on Thursday, July 20 from 5.30am. Hear from Rikki Solomon, a leading practitioner of Māori astronomy, followed by a free community breakfast.
Ngā Whetū Katoa is celebrating Matariki in style with a Māori & Pasifika Matariki Wearable Art and Fashion Show. This is on at the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club on Thursday, July 13. See the Ngā Whetū Katoa page for ticketing information.
Whare Manaaki are organising a series of Matariki events in Māwhera. From Pūrakau to stargazing, the wānanga series leads up to a special Matariki Hau Tapu event on July 12 at Karoro Beach.
Every three months He Waka Tapu holds a whānau day to strengthen its relationships with the community through whakawhanaungatanga, and fun! On Saturday, July 8 (10am-2pm), the fun day will celebrate Matariki and all things Te Ao Māori. Supported by the Ōtautahi Sports Association, there will be Matariki activities for the whole whānau to enjoy, including a chance to create your own taonga, purākau, free kai and kapa haka performances. Matariki Whānau Day, 10am-2pm, 161 Pages Rd, Ōtautahi.
Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui Māori Cultural Council, Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable Trust – a collaboration of the eight iwi of Te Tauihu, and Nelson City Council are collaborating this year for Te Huihui-o-Matariki 2023.
The event on Friday, July 14 features an all-day market (9am-9pm at Rutherford Park) and includes Taku Kara Tīpuna, the regional secondary schools kapa haka competition next door at the Trafalgar Centre (doors open at 9am and the whakataetae kicks off at 10am). Tickets can be bought at the door or here. From 5pm to 9pm, there will also be a free community concert featuring the Modern Māori Quartet, Maaka Fiso and Awhimai Fraser.
Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā, kei te kimi mātou o Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu i tētahi tāngata ki te whakakī i tētahi tūnga wātea. Nā reira, pānui mai i ngā kōrero e whai ake nei. Ko koe pea te tangata tika. We have an exciting opportunity for a recent graduate or someone looking to take the next steps in their career to join the Mana Ora (Policy) team at Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu as our new Kaiāwhina Pūrongo/Reo Whānau – Reporting and Policy Assistant. The primary focus is to support Mana Ora to fulfil the reporting and policy requirements of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu. The role also includes providing support to all workstreams, with a focus on their reporting expectations. For more about the role, and to apply, see here. Applications close at midnight on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Tamaiti ako i te kaika, tū pakari i te ao!
Spending quality time with your tamariki by cooking a meal, playing a game or having a heart-to-heart kōrero can help you feel connected and grounded.
