Matariki

An imperfect photo & fairly ordinary looking sunrise but a significant sunrise as the first one of the Maori New Year (Matariki)

During Matariki we celebrate our unique place in the world.
We give respect to the whenua on which we live,
and admiration to our mother earth Papatuunuku.
Throughout Matariki we learn about those who came before us.
Our history. Our family. Our bones.
Matariki signals growth.
It's a time of change.
It's a time to prepare, and a time of action.
During Matariki we acknowledge what we have
and what we have to give.
Matariki celebrates the diversity of life.
It's a celebration of culture, language, spirit and people.
Matariki is our
Aotearoa Pacific New Year.

I te wa o Matariki, ka whakanui tatou i to tatou mana motuhake i tenei ao.
He manaaki i te whenua e noho nei tatou i runga, he miharo ki to tatou whaea,
ki a Papatuanuku.
I te roanga atu o Matariki, ka ako tatou i nga ahuatanga o ratou ma
kua hoki ki te kainga tuturu.
Ko nga mahi me nga korero o mua. Ko o tatou heke. Ko o tatou wheinga.
Ko Matariki te tohu o te tupu.
He wa e puta ke ai.
He wa whakariterite, he wa kokiri kaupapa.
I te wa o Matariki, he mahara atawhai ki nga taonga kei a tatou inaianei,
hei koha atu hoki a taihoa.
He whakanui a Matariki i nga tini ähuatanga o te oranga.
He whakanui hoki i te tikanga, i te reo, i te wairua me te iwi.
Ko Matariki to Aotearoa tau hou.

Explanation from the website www.matarikievents.co.nz