Matariki celebrations in Ruapehu make for a new year's day to remember

Ngāti Rangi members are reflecting on the honour of hosting this year's Matariki national holiday ceremony.

The ceremonies wrapped up on Friday at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Ruapehu.

Ngāti Rangi spokesperson Che Wilson said it was huge honour for Ngāti Rangi to host the celebrations in Ohakune, the "capital of carrots".

"It's a huge honour to be able to be the first marae to host the Matariki national holiday ceremony."

Many iwi members worked for weeks preparing for the ceremony, from reciting karakia to working in the kitchen.

Jamie Turama Tuahuriri Downes was working in the wharekai kitchen, playing his part in what he called the "boar's nest". It had been a huge build-up, he said, including lots of early mornings going hunting.

"Lamb or mutton, beef and venison is the main sort of meat that fills [the] fridges and freezers of our people. The ability to go and hunt and gather and bring it all into a place that we call the 'boar's nest', that's a place where a lot of it gets processed."

Downes called it "the classroom that every rangatahi needs to be in".

"It has become a place that not only feeds this kaupapa in the lead-up to the many people that will turn up before the actual kaupapa, but also for tangihanga, for any kaupapa."

Downes said it was an honour to serve in a place where his tūpuna and all of his aunties and uncles had toiled for many years.

"Just a massive honour and privilege to be here alongside whānau doing what we do, a lot of steering well away from the cameras because for them this is just what we do on the regular."

Tirorangi Marae kaumātua Matiu Wilson was raised near the marae, but has spent most of his life away from the region.

"I always wanted to eventually come home to be the next guardian of the homestead, but also to get back involved with Tirorangi."

Wilson returned to the marae about five years ago and was now a marae trustee. He said he loved being a part of the paepae, and was enjoying his time getting back in touch with Tirorangi. He said he was proud to see people from all across the country visit his marae.

"Tumeke, awesome, beautiful and I'm so proud that I've come home and I've realised what I've missed since I've been away from home for so many years."

The manuhiri perspective

Tererenga Nikora was one of the manuhiri visiting from Waikato. Unfortunately she missed out on seeing the stars because she was chasing her tamaiti around, she said.

But she said Ngāti Rangi had shown amazing manaakitanga, and the locals had been friendly and helpful.

"It is stunning. It was amazing. I love seeing Māori stuff like this, especially in te ao Māori and that it's getting bigger, it's going worldwide, so it is so cool to see."

Ohakune local Jade said she got a clear view of Puanga on Friday morning.

"After the rain yesterday it was just so wonderful to wake up this morning and the clouds had cleared and we could actually see."

She said it was "super special" that so many people were visiting her community to share in the kaupapa.

Taupō resident Linley said the karakia and karanga from Ngāti Rangi was beautiful.

"It's such a privilege to have this opportunity to share and to really demonstrate that unity and that shared understanding."

'Gracious' ceremony will make expat New Zealanders homesick.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage deputy secretary for Māori Crown partnerships Glenis Philip-Barbara said this year's Matariki celebrations would make New Zealanders all over the world long for home.

Philip-Barbara said Ngāti Rangi hosted the celebration with grace, jubilance and aroha.

"As we all take our place on the world stage and we all think about what it means to be part of a community, to take pride in our nation and to show respect for the indigenous wisdom that's always been here - that's powerful - and we need so much more of that in the world today," she said.

'Unity through diversity' a central message

Celebrated Māori astronomer Professor Rangi Mātāmua said the theme of this year's fourth Matariki public holiday celebrated diversity among New Zealanders.

Mātāmua was a driving force behind the national observance of Matariki.

He said the theme of Matariki mā Puanga acknowledged the relationship between the Matariki cluster's central star - also known as the Pleiades - and Puanga or Rigel, an important star in the astronomical traditions of many iwi.

He said celebrating the unique differences between regions and iwi, as well as individuals, was important.

"I think that unity through diversity is a real message, so we come together, but also let's celebrate those real cool, diverse, wonderful things that make each and every one of us unique."

Mātāmua said political division was intensifying globally, but Matariki mā Puanga offered a chance to reconnect and reset.

Matariki celebrations reinforces cultural foundations of the nation

Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka said the observance of Matariki celebrations reinforced the cultural foundations of the country.

Potaka said the past year had seen heightened provocation and polarisation towards Māori issues in the political world.

"A big driver for me in Parliament is to seek more quality of opportunity, and equal citizenship for iwi and for Māori. That's quite challenging and we have quite a challenging political climate, but importantly, we have a celebration of Puanga Matariki, which has brought us together."

Potaka said he wished to extend an example of kotahitanga, mindfulness and unity into the political environment.

A year of contentious issues for Māori relations

Minister for Treaty Relations Paul Goldsmith said it had been a year of contentious issues for Māori and the country, but the government would keep having difficult conversations with iwi.

From the cost of living and crime to treaty principles, Goldsmith said the Crown had a responsibility to carry those debates in good faith.

"It's not surprising that it's difficult to have those conversations and people feel passionate about particular things, but we do have to keep talking, we do need to be listening, and that's what every generation has to stand up and do."

Goldsmith said he looked forward to seeing Matariki grow organically as a prominent New Zealand holiday.

Moriori revitalising yearly astrological traditions for the new year.

The Moriori people of Rēkohu - or Chatham Islands - were revitalising their astronomical traditions both on and off the islands.

Moriori had historically celebrated Puanga to mark the new year.

Hokotehi Moriori Trust chairperson Hayden Preece said the traditions around Puanga were just some of the customs being rediscovered in Rēkohu.

"Part of the exciting rediscovery is we get to add to these things. It's in line with most of our broader Polynesian cultures to have that connection to the stars and agriculture."

Preece said Moriori would love to host the national Matariki celebrations in Rēkohu one day.

Matariki events around the motu

Matariki celebrations will carry on across the motu, with an array of activities and events.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens is hosting a day of activities, including kapa haka, carving demonstrations, stories, acrobats, live art and theatre for tamariki throughout the day.

Wellington's waterfront comes alive, with a colourful immersive walkthrough, featuring fire, projections and performances, as well as a special 'Pōhutukawa & Hiwa-i-te-rangi' ceremony each night, honouring those who have passed away during the year.

Also, a special water screen on Whairepo Lagoon will be showing a collection of short films, curated by Israel Randel.

Christchurch's Market Square is hosting three days of kai, live performances with over sixty local artisans in the Matariki mākete.

The Tīrama Mai collection of creative installations, projections and performances will span Worcester Boulevard between the Matatiki Toi Ora arts centre and the Te Puna i Whaiwhetu art gallery, as well as the Riverside Markets.

Further south, Dunedin's, Puketeraki Marae is hosting three days of creative workshops for all ages, korero on traditional celestial navigation and activities in support of wahine, as they receive Moko kauae.

On Saturday night, a drone lightshow will light up the sky, supported by kapa haka, fire performers, live music and the sounds of Taoka Pūoro - traditional musical instruments.

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