PĀNUI
NEWS
Honouring Our Loved Ones, Guiding Our Path
18 / 06 / 2025
Matariki is more than a new year, it is a sacred time to remember and honour those we have lost and also those who have come before us, the ngā whetūrangi - the stars of our ancestors who now shine in the night sky.
"Mate atu he tētē kura, ara mai he tētē kura"
At He Waka Tapu, we hold this remembrance close, acknowledging that the strength and resilience of our people today is rooted deeply in the journeys and sacrifices of those who paved the way. Our tūpuna’s knowledge, values, and spirit guide us as we navigate the challenges of the present and shape the future.
Honouring our ancestors during Matariki is a call to reflect on their stories, their struggles, their triumphs, and their enduring legacy. It’s a time to reconnect with whakapapa and reaffirm the importance of culture, identity, and belonging in the journey toward wellbeing.
We recognise that health and healing are interwoven with history, and that healing for our whānau includes healing the wounds passed down through generations.
By honouring our ancestors, we also honour the strength they passed down, which empowers us to overcome adversity and support each other.
This connection to the past fuels our commitment to kaupapa Māori approaches that respect tikanga, embrace whānau-centred care, and foster environments where everyone’s mauri can thrive.
"Matariki invites us to pause in gratitude for those we have lost and those who have gone before us and to carry their memory with us as a guiding light. As the stars illuminate the winter sky, so too does the legacy of our loved ones illuminate the path forward, reminding us that we stand on their shoulders, continuing their work with courage and hope."
Honouring our loved ones is not only a feeling but a practice, a way to actively keep their memory alive in our hearts and homes. Some meaningful ways to do this during Matariki include:
• Lighting a candle or incense in memory of loved ones, symbolising their enduring presence and guiding light.
• Creating an altar or shrine with photos, taonga, or mementos that connect us to their stories and spirits.
• Sharing stories and memories with whānau and friends, passing down wisdom and strengthening our collective identity.
• Participating in cultural practices or ceremonies, such as a pōwhiri or karakia, which honour our tūpuna and reaffirm our connection to tikanga and whenua.
These acts deepen our connection to our ancestors and remind us that their legacy continues to shape the wellbeing of our whānau and communities today.
In this season of remembrance, we give thanks. We honour. We remember.
