PĀNUI
NEWS
Celebrating New Beginnings!
20 / 06 / 2025
Matariki, is a profound celebration of new beginnings, renewal, and the interconnectedness of life. As the Pleiades star cluster rises in the early winter sky, it invites us to pause, reflect, and step into a new cycle with hope and intention.
"Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi"
For Māori, Matariki is much more than a date on the calendar, it is a celestial event deeply intertwined with te taiao, the natural environment. This connection to the environment has been cultivated over centuries through mātauranga Māori, the indigenous knowledge systems that guide how we understand the world and our place within it.
Kuruho Wereta, Kaiarahi Tikanga Māori at Recreation Aotearoa, reminds us that Matariki is a time to connect with both the stars above and the whenua below. The rising of Matariki signals a moment to gather whānau and hapū together to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future, guided by the stories held in the stars.
The Māori lunar calendar, based on the cycles of the moon, shapes a unique understanding of time and seasonal change, distinct from the solar Gregorian calendar used more widely today. Observing Matariki’s first appearance before dawn in mid-June offers us a reminder: perspectives vary according to place and whakapapa, and all enrich our collective understanding.
"Matariki also embodies kaitiakitanga, guardianship and sustainability, as the ancient practices woven around this time emphasized respect for the environment and careful stewardship of resources. This is a critical lesson for us today as we face environmental and social challenges that demand collective care and innovation."
Traditionally, knowledge of the stars and their meanings was held in whare wānanga or whare kōkōrangi, houses of learning where Mātauranga Māori was passed on through storytelling and personification narratives.
Although these learning centres were disestablished post-1840, today there is a movement to restore and reclaim this sacred knowledge with patience and respect.
Celebrating new beginnings at Matariki, then, is about much more than fresh starts in a practical sense. It is an invitation to deepen our connection with te ao Māori, the natural world, and one another. It calls us to renew our commitment to care for our whānau, our communities, and the environment that sustains us all.
As we look up to the stars this Matariki, consider finding a quiet, dark place to truly witness Te Whānau Mārama, the family of light, and contemplate the new cycle ahead.
Whether you venture to a mountain hut or simply observe from your backyard, take a moment to feel the ancient wisdom guiding us forward.
May this season of Matariki inspire us all to embrace renewal, celebrate new beginnings, and nurture the seeds of hope and transformation for the journey ahead.
