Celebrating Te Kāhui o Matariki

Over 2020–2022, Te Arawhiti worked to support the establishment and inaugural celebrations of Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki – the Matariki public holiday.

In 2020 the government announced Matariki would become a public holiday in 2022. The first public holiday was celebrated on 24 June 2022. Check out some of the kaupapa that Te Arawhiti worked on in support of Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki.

Establishment

Matariki Advisory Group

The establishment of Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki was grounded in a strong Māori Crown partnership approach. In 2020 the government established a Matariki Advisory Group to help determine when and how Aotearoa will celebrate Matariki.

The group brought together recognised experts from across Aotearoa who have deep knowledge and understanding of the mātauranga Māori associated with Matariki and the Maramataka.

Professor Rangi Matamua was appointed as the Chair and led the group composed of Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Rereata Makiha, Victoria Campbell, Dr Pauline Harris, Dr Ruakere Hond and Jack Thatcher.

For more information about the work of the group, including their advice, go to the MBIE website (external link)(external link)

Legislative establishment

Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki was formally established through Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki 2022 / Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022.

The Act is entirely dual-language – Aotearoa’s fifth piece of dual-language legislation. Importantly, the Act contains a Statement of Significance, written by the Matariki Advisory Group, which reflects on the true meaning of Matariki and outlines the major principles underpinning traditional Matariki celebrations.

The Act confirmed the dates for the public holiday until 2052 and includes an empowering provision to ensure that the governor-general (on the recommendation of the responsible Minister) can set future dates for the holiday by Order in Council.

You can view the Act here(external link)

Matariki Ahunga Nui – support towards the inaugural celebration

To support the inaugural Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki celebrations, Te Arawhiti administered the Matariki Ahunga Nui fund, which encouraged Māori-led kaupapa or initiatives celebrating mātauranga or knowledge about te kāhui o Matariki.

Funding was provided to support regeneration of mātauranga Matariki and to build a greater awareness of Matariki. Applicants needed to demonstrate how they would use the funding to advance and promote the three major principles of Matariki:

  • Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki
  • Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have
  • Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year

A list of funding recipients can be found here

We note Te Arawhiti will not have any further Matariki funding available this year and responsibility for supporting Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki has now transitioned to Manatū Taonga – Ministry of Culture and Heritage(external link)

Contact us

If you have questions about the 2021–22 Matariki Ahunga Nui fund, you can email us at matarikifunding@tearawhiti.govt.nz