Te Whanake - Our Blog
Matariki 2020
Light shows, kapa haka, storytelling, crafting, star hunting, festivals and so much more is on again this year for Matariki – the Māori New Year; signalled by the appearance of a special group of seven stars that can be seen from around the shortest day of the year.
Although the calendar is again full across the country of activities and events for all ages, things look a little different this year due to precautions around Covid-19. Festivals and events are being held in smaller locations and many events have moved to viewing and joining in online, which makes for a whole new way to experience this year’s celebrations.
This year, Matariki is celebrated on 13 July and in the middle of the Term 3 school holidays. The timing couldn’t be better with all the fun things the regions have planned.
Here’s a look at a few of the online activities and local events in Te Tau Ihu.
Join in from home
Learn how to find the Matariki star cluster
All ages | Anytime | Free
Educator Martin Langdon, on behalf of Te Papa Museum shows us how to find the Matariki star cluster in this awesome short video: https://youtu.be/h3ETD3rPnFQ
Ngā Waiata o te Pō : Sunday 12 July, 10am
Suitable for tamariki and rangatahi (6 – 17 years) | Online | Free
In episode one, Matariki, join four friends as they head off on an adventure into the forest on a camping trip, with the hope of being able to see the Matariki star cluster in the night sky. Discover music built from the sounds of nature; the whistling of the wind, birdsong and water running over rocks in the stream. Watch it here on Sunday 12 July at 10am: https://chambermusic.co.nz/matariki/
Matariki on the Move: Kōrero – Te Whetū o Te Tau: Tuesday 14 July, 7-8pm
Suitable for all ages | Online | Free
Join Professor Rangi Matamua, renowned Māori astronomer and Matariki expert for a special Matariki Festival online kōrero (lecture) on Matariki TV. He will share his wisdom and knowledge about the Matariki star cluster and its connection to the Māori new year, along with its crucial role in the Māori division of time that follows the natural cycles of the environment: https://www.matarikifestival.org.nz/2020/matariki-on-the-move-korero-te-whetu-o-te/
Check out Matariki TV here for more shows
Watch Moana in Reo Māori
For the keen Moana fans out there Disney+ in New Zealand and Australia have added Moana in Reo. Watch it with the whole whānau to celebrate Matariki.
Out and about in Te Tau Ihu
2020 Matariki Festival - Te Huihui-o-Matariki: Saturday 18th July 2020
Whole family | Neale Park, Nelson | Free
Nelson City Council invites the community to join us in celebrating Matariki. Proceedings will be livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube starting at 6pm:
- Opening Karakia | Kaumātua
- Mayors Message | Mayor Rachel Reese
- Kapa Haka Performance | Te Kapa o Kura Tai Waka
- Light Art Projects
The evening will then conclude with a fireworks display at 7pm, from Neale Park, Nelson
Learn more here: https://itson.co.nz/2020/21588-matariki-festival
Matariki activity booklet
Collect your free activity booklet from any Tasman library. You can also download directly from the Te Papa website. You may collect your booklet from 6-17 July 2020.
Learn more and download your booklet here: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/learn/for-educators/free-downloadable-activity-books/matariki-activity-book
Let’s Discover Matariki Storytime – Motueka Library
10:00am-11:30am, Thursday 9 July and Thursday 16 July 2020
Tamariki 4 – 9 yrs | Motueka Library | Free
Our Let's Discover Matariki Storytimes are suitable for 4-9 year olds. Pre-schoolers, please bring an adult. Come and join us for some fantastic stories and celebrate Matariki! Get creative and make something exciting to take home.
Matariki rock painting MakerSpace at Motueka Library
10:00am-11:30am, Tuesday 14 July 2020
All ages | Motueka Library | Free
Come along and paint rocks with your own designs. Find a place to hide your rock and explore your local area to see what others have created. Materials provided. Bring your imagination! All ages are welcome.
Matariki star hunt: 6 -17 July 2020
All ages | All Tasman District Libraries | Free
Tasman District Libraries have hidden nine stars in and around Richmond, Motueka and Takaka libraries for you to find! You can find all nine just for fun, and scan the QR code on each to learn some fascinating star facts. The star hunt runs from 6 – 17 July.
Also be sure to check out the Matariki Festival 2020 calendar. Although these are mainly Auckland events, there is a big line up of online and virtual events to enjoy from anywhere in the country.
Enjoy the school holidays and have fun celebrating Matariki 2020.
It's here...Ohu Maatu 2017
On 28 April your whānau and the descendants of the Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust will gather to celebrate Ohu Maatu 2017, in your homelands in Motueka for a special weekend of reconnecting, learning and celebrating.
The hui-ā-tau (annual general meeting)
Ohu Maatu also includes our hui-ā-tau (annual meeting), where registered owners gather to address the governance requirements of the Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust. This is held on Saturday morning 9am – 12pm. While the weekend is full of fun activities and plenty of chances to catch up with whānau, the hui-ā-tau is the most important part of Ohu Maatu. It’s a chance for you to have your say to ensure your whānau is represented and connected with the business activities of the Trust. Learn more or watch a video about the history of our hui-ā-tau here.
This year we’ll also be having a live-stream of the hui-ā-tau, so any registered member that cannot attend in person, can still be involved in the decisions.
Email info@nrait.co.nz for the live stream password and then click here to register to watch it on the morning of Saturday 29 April.
A fun filled weekend of activities
During the hui-ā-tau tamariki will have organised activities to keep them busy, but they’re not the only ones having fun.
On Saturday afternoon we have waiata, sports, and carving and weaving workshops. We then regather to go to the movie night where we’ll be premiering the NRAIT music video trailer and video from the day’s events.
Connection and kōrero
At dawn on Sunday morning there will be a fire ceremony at Te Uma. We’ll light the fire cauldron to welcome the new day and mark Ohu Maatu 2017. Lighting the fire this way is how our tūpuna used to communicate with other iwi across the land. Our tūpuna specifically did this atop our maunga, Pukeone.
The morning celebrations continue to Te Āhurewa, our historic and much loved church on Te Āwhina Marae, for a service.
Every year we do a tour of the rohe to share the kōrero of our heke, our whenua and the struggles along the way. This year we have a unique opportunity to travel to the Motueka Provincial Museum to view the exhibition Mai i Hawaiki Te Ahi Ka Roa, a story about our ancestral homelands to our home fires of today.
Check out the programme here and if you haven’t yet registered, there’s not much time left, so register now.