Bringing Matariki back into family life.
Hayley McLean-Humphry reflects on the historical practices of Matariki and how she will pass this tradition down to her child.
In the past, Matariki was a celebration for Māori to reflect on the previous year and celebrate the dawn of a new harvest.
Many Māori saw this as a time to remember those who had passed away in that year. They remembered them by honouring them in a happy way and acknowledging them during this time.
Māori also reflected on the year’s harvest and how successful the year had been. Matariki was a time for singing, dancing but most importantly coming together as one under the stars of Matariki.
In modern years Matariki is being revived back into New Zealand celebrations, although it may not necessarily be in the ‘traditional’ sense. People like Hayley are beginning to celebrate Matariki today by spending time with their families.
“We are starting to see more of an acknowledgement of Matariki, that people embrace as being a positive connotation with Māori culture.”
Hayley believes it is important that Matariki is normalised for our children, as they will be the ones to one day take part in this celebration.
