Matariki

It is the season of Matariki, Māori New Year, in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Matariki cluster of stars, also known as The Pleiades, marks the start of this time of year as it rises in the sky. For those on the East Coast of the country the cluster is easily visible, but for those on the other side it will not appear above the horizon at the same time and so a different star, Puanga, is used for the same purpose.

At this time of year, when snow lies on the mountains and the air is cold, when the wind blows mightily down the Grey River valley, bringing the Barber to flow down the hills that surround Māwhera Greymouth, and when the high-altitude passes can be closed because of ice, Matariki is when we remember, celebrate, mourn and hope.

There are many stories about Matariki. Here is one about a mother and six sisters and here is an article about the season that mentions some of the other legends. There are waiata (songs) and whiti (poetry).

In this season it is time to take stock of where we are: looking back to where we have been, and forward to where we are going. I hope, wherever you are in the world, that you will join in celebrating the time of year with us and our personal journeys through it. Thank you for the past year of being part of mine.