Te Papa will host the official launch of Matariki as a public holiday at a pre-dawn ceremony on Friday, June 24.
Matariki becomes a public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand from this year. It marks the Māori New Year, which is celebrated in the southern hemisphere midwinter, following the rising of the star cluster Matariki (Pleiades).
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will join tohunga (experts) in a pre-dawn hautapu ceremony to celebrate a global first Рa public holiday built on mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge).
The museum will also open an interactive Matariki exhibition, Mānawatia a Matariki, on June 11, and run a series of whānau-friendly events from June 34 РJuly 3.
Te Papa has held Matariki celebrations for more than 20 years, and Kaihautū | Māori co-leader Dr Arapata Hakiwai says the creation of a national public holiday to mark Matariki is a dream come true.
"Over the past 20 years, iwi in residence at Te Papa have spoken of their wish for Matariki to become a nationwide celebration for all New Zealanders.
"There will be a lot of people in our thoughts this year, looking down on us and thrilled that we are coming together as a nation to celebrate Matariki.”
This rising of the Matariki star cluster in the southern skies marks the new year in Aotearoa for many iwi (tribes). It is a time to gather with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.
"While the Matariki star cluster is significant to many cultures, the knowledge and practices developed here over centuries are deeply rooted in te ao Māori and our environment," says Dr Hakiwai.
Te Papa Tumu Whakarae | chief executive Courtney Johnston says Te Papa is honoured to host the official launch.
"This is something we want to share with as many people as possible. Coming together for Matariki is part of us gaining a greater understanding of mātauranga Māori and celebrating our unique place in the world."
The hautapu ceremony involves the cooking of kai connected to the stars of Matariki. Steam from the kai is released to feed the stars, and tohunga look to the appearance of the star cluster and make predictions for the year ahead. Twelve tohunga will offer karakia (prayers) at the hautapu ceremony, with Professor Rangi Matamua looking to the stars and sharing his insights.
The ceremony will be broadcast across a range of media channels and live streamed at: www.Matariki.net.nz
To herald the new public holiday, Te Papa will open a special interactive exhibition about Matariki to encourage everyone to participate in marking our New Year. The key themes of the experience are: remember, celebrate, and hope. The Matariki exhibition opens Saturday, June 10, and closes Sunday, August 21. Entry is free.
