As the first official public holiday for Matariki approaches, we wanted to look at the significance of this period of renewal and showcase the organisations that create space to mark this celebration unique to Aotearoa within their workplaces.
Let’s start with a brief description of what Matariki is and why she is significant.
The rising of Matariki signifies the beginning of te tau hou Māori, the Māori new year.
Matariki is a cluster of nine stars featuring Matariki, the star that represents good health and prosperity; Pōhutukawa, the star that represents death; Tupuānuku, the star that represents food grown in the ground; Tupuārangi, the star who represents food that is grown above our heads or falls from the sky; Waitī, the star that represents fresh water kai; Waitā, who represents the kai we gather from the sea; Waipunarangi, who represents the rain; Ururangi, who will determine the nature of our wind; and Hiwa-i-te-rangi who represents our hearts desires and wishes.
When the Matariki cluster shines brightly, it signifies a year of good fortune and health.
How can we all celebrate Matariki this year?
Matariki is a time to remember those we have lost and what we have accomplished throughout the past year.
Let this be a time for us to move forward and rejuvenate for the year ahead in our homes and our workplaces. Come together with colleagues to celebrate the wins and losses of the year by sharing kai and learning more about the significance of Matariki for Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand.
We have put together a resource to help organisations mark Matariki in the workplace – download it from our members area.
Share your Matariki stories and celebrations
Inspire others to welcome Matariki into the workplace by sharing how your organisation celebrated this significant event on our calendar. Send up to 250 words by the end of July outlining what you did, along with photos of your celebrations, to events@diversityworksnz.org.nz
We will be honouring workplaces who did this mahi well alongside the announcement of this year’s Ngā Āhuatanga of Te Tiriti Tohu at the 2022 Diversity Awards NZ™ being held in Auckland in August.
