A new dawn at Matariki

A time to pause, remember, and look ahead.

It’s a chilly winter morning in Christchurch. The Ngata whānau - Mum, Dad, and their kids Amiria, Wiremu, and Niko are up early, wrapped in jackets and beanies. They head up the hill near their place to watch the stars rise and welcome Matariki.

They sip hot chocolate from a thermos, eyes on the sky. “There it is,” Mum points out. “Seven stars or nine if you squint,” Wiremu says, grinning.

They fall quiet for a moment, each whispering their koro’s (grandfather) name to the stars. He passed away last year. For them, Matariki is about more than just stargazing, it’s a time to remember the people that aren’t here anymore. 

Honouring the past, embracing the present

Back home, the kids help make a star mobile out of sticks, string, and coloured paper. Each star has a name and a meaning – hope, health, food, remembrance, and they hang it up in the lounge to remind them what matters.

Later, they share a potluck dinner with neighbours. A delicious soup from the veggie garden, rewena (sourdough) bread, and warm company.

With the lights low, Dad tells the kids about the stars, and how each one connects to different parts of life. “It’s a time to slow down,” he says. “To remember, to be grateful, and to look ahead.” For the Ngata whānau, Matariki is about coming together, honouring those they’ve lost, being present, and dreaming big.