Tena koutou katoa 
We are so very blessed to celebrate the magic of Matariki (Maori New Year) known in English as the Pleiades star cluster or The 7 Sisters. Matariki comprises of 7 stars best viewed on the dawn of a new day.  
Connection to the 7 stars provides an opportunity for families to remember their whakapapa (genealogy) and their ancestors that have passed away to the heavens.

Today Matariki is about bringing everyone together, it’s a time to celebrate New Zealand’s rich Maori heritage through history and movement. 

Matariki was traditionally celebrated as a family gathering and a reflection of the past. Today Maori share their stories and culture with the wider community on a spiritual connection with abundance that awaits when families and communities pull together.
Matariki is a time to clear winter vegetables and to prepare your vegetable garden for new planting. It’s a family tradition to do the gardening all together for at least one day of the year.
Celebrate Matariki over 3 days by preparing a place to grow your vegetables or herbs, plant trees to signify new beginnings (timatanga hou) and embrace this time with music, song, dance, Kai (food) and whanau (family). Identify with your own culture and the joy of being together in recognition of the Matariki stars that align in the sky at this very time.
For the first time in 80 years the New Zealand government has gifted all the people of NZ a public holiday to honour and celebrate Matariki. Our first national holiday will be on the 24th June 2022. This year Matariki commences on the 2nd July.
Plan your family or community celebrations now for Matariki, it’s time to acknowledge your loved ones who have passed, to shed and cleanse the dark of winter and to commence and prepare for new beginnings with paptuanuku (Mother Earth) your family, friends and community.
Reflection
Renewal
Rest

Nga mihi ki a koe
Laura-Jane Shaw