Matariki in New Zealand
Matariki is a holiday in New Zealand.
When is Matariki in New Zealand
Matariki is celebrated on 14, July, 2023 in New Zealand.
About Matariki in New Zealand
Matariki is a significant cultural holiday celebrated in New Zealand. It is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which is visible in the winter sky of the Southern Hemisphere. The holiday marks the beginning of the Māori New Year and is celebrated in late May or early June.
Matariki is a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration. It is a time for Māori people to honor their ancestors, reconnect with their culture, and look forward to the future. The holiday is celebrated with traditional Māori practices such as kapa haka performances, waiata (songs), and hāngi (a traditional Māori feast cooked in an earth oven).
The holiday has gained more recognition in recent years, and many communities across New Zealand now hold Matariki festivals and events. It is also celebrated in schools, workplaces, and other organizations as a way to promote Māori culture and heritage.
Overall, Matariki is an important cultural holiday in New Zealand that celebrates the Māori New Year and promotes cultural understanding and appreciation.
History of Matariki in New Zealand
Matariki is a significant holiday in New Zealand that celebrates the Māori New Year. The holiday is based on the Matariki star cluster, also known as the Pleiades, which rises in the sky during the winter months.
The origins of Matariki can be traced back to the early Polynesian settlers who arrived in New Zealand around 1,000 years ago. The Māori people have been observing the Matariki star cluster for generations, using it as a way to mark the changing seasons and to plan for the year ahead.
In the early 2000s, there was a renewed interest in Matariki and its significance in Māori culture. In 2002, the government officially recognized Matariki as a public holiday, and it has since become an important cultural event in New Zealand.
Today, Matariki is celebrated throughout the country with a range of activities, including traditional Māori ceremonies, feasts, and cultural performances. It is a time for families and communities to come together, reflect on the past year, and look ahead to the future.
Matariki is also seen as an opportunity to celebrate Māori culture and to promote greater understanding and respect for the unique traditions and customs of New Zealand’s indigenous people.
How is Matariki celebrated in New Zealand
Matariki is celebrated in New Zealand as a time of reflection, remembrance, and renewal. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the start of the Māori New Year and to honor the stars of Matariki, which are believed to guide and protect the land and its people.
There are many ways in which Matariki is celebrated in New Zealand, including:
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Kōrero and storytelling: Matariki is a time for sharing stories and traditions with whānau (family) and friends. People gather to listen to kōrero (stories) about the stars, their significance, and the meaning of the Māori New Year.
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Kapa haka and waiata: Matariki is also a time for music and dance. Kapa haka groups perform traditional Māori songs and dances, known as waiata and haka, to celebrate the occasion.
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Food and feasting: Matariki is a time for sharing kai (food) with loved ones. Traditional Māori foods, such as kumara (sweet potato), puha (watercress), and kai moana (seafood), are often served at feasts.
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Art and crafts: Many people create or display Matariki-themed art and crafts, such as paintings, carvings, and woven items, to honor the stars and the Māori New Year.
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Community events: Matariki is celebrated across New Zealand with a range of community events, including festivals, concerts, and exhibitions. These events bring people together to celebrate Matariki and the rich culture and traditions of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Dates
Matariki will be celebrated in New Zealand on 2023-07-14, 2024-06-28, 2025-06-20, 2026-07-10, 2027-06-25 in the comming years.
