Matariki: Te Tau Hou Māori

Ka rere ana a Matariki, ka rere hoki ngā kōrero pūrākau, ka whakatikatika mō te Tau Hou. He wā tino pai tēnei ki te ako me te kuhu atu ki ngā whakamāramatanga o ngā whakataukī tuku iho.

Matariki is a time to reflect, share stories, and plan for the New Year. It’s the perfect time to connect with whakataukī
and learn from the wisdom of those who came before us.

Here is a video clip in our sign language – NZSL. https://youtu.be/_QB9TahbqQY

Traditionally, Māori celebrate the start of a new year in mid-winter (May-June).

The new year begins on the first new moon after the star cluster Matariki rises in the eastern sky. That’s why the Māori new year is called Matariki.

Matariki is a time to gather with whānau (family) and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.

He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata – Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure

This morning, we woke to find a frosty and sunshine morning to mark a new year, and we heard the announcement from the television. The announcement was about marking the day – Matariki on a Friday 24th June 2022. This means it is a new public holiday for the New Zealander/Māori people to celebrate Matariki Day. It is a joy to celebrate today, so we, D/deaf people, deaf with disabilities people and their loved ones, teach their children, families, students, and other people in their community.

How I came to know about Matariki? I learnt Māori Culture, history, and most of their Te Reo Māori through studying BA in History in the past. I was a deaf teacher aide to two Deaf male students, and they learnt Matariki in the classroom many years ago. I met and often spoke to Dr Hirini Melbourne, ONZM, a distinguished Mâori scholar, musician, and composer at the Waikato University.

How can we help many Maori young students learn about Matariki today? As you see the video above and this video, their Deaf school in New Zealand got the funding to make every Te Reo sign songs for the public users.

We will look forward to celebrate with other D/deaf people, families, students, friends and local community from today onward.