Take Five: How to celebrate Matariki without becoming a hōhā
Thursday, 23 June 2022
Are you stressed about celebrating Matariki this year? Want to make sure your commemorations and celebrations are culturally appropriate?
While every iwi, hapū and rohe have different traditions, here are six questions and answers to make sure you don't become a hōhā and ensure you’re embracing this special time the right way.
1) Do I spend Matariki alone or with whānau?
While this can be as simple as sharing a kai, spending time with the people that matter to you is important. Traditionally, Matariki was a time when various celebrations took place to farewell the dead, honour ancestors and celebrate life together.
It doesn’t have to be flash. Nowadays, you can share some food, stories and time together.
Plan the year ahead of you, but also acknowledge the year you’ve had, the people who have passed and the tūpuna (ancestors) who came before you.
2) Can I light fireworks?
Fireworks are pretty. They can light up the night sky in numerous colours and shapes.
But are they appropriate for Matariki? The short answer is no.
Written advice from a mātaruranga Māori group set up to guide the government on the creation of the inaugural public holiday said fireworks were not appropriate.
“Fireworks do not align with one of the core values, Mana Taiao [environmental awareness].”
Fireworks not only pollute the dark sky with light and noise, but they often pollute the ocean with debris, meaning they go against the kaupapa of Matariki, according to Professor Rangi Matamua.
Despite this, some councils have elected to ignore this advice and use them anyway.
3) How do I celebrate with tangata whenua?
There are numerous events on around the country hosted by tāngata whenua. In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the Matariki Festival has numerous events around the city throughout Matariki hosted in a partnership between Ngāti Whatua Ōrakei and Auckland Council.
On top of that, all of them are family friendly. So bring the tamariki and mokopuna around and enjoy unique New Zealand events for New Zealand’s special occasion.
4) Can I walk onto a marae?
Marae are not buildings you can just walk on when you feel like it. While each marae has its own protocol, the general rule is you must be welcomed onto a marae in a pōwhiri, by the tāngata whenua.
If you’re planning on visiting a marae, respect the tikanga of the tāngata whenua you are visiting.
When you enter the wharenui, shoes must also be removed. According to Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei, the move is polite but also symbolic.
“It represents the leaving of the dust of Tūmatauenga, the god of war, outside so that it does not soil the house of Rongo, the god of peace.”
5) Can I get on the beers?
Matariki isn’t a time to get drunk and make a dick of yourself – save that for the birthdays and work end-of-year parties. If you’re going to drink, do it responsibly. Tawhirimātea doesn’t need to see you crying over your ex at 3am, or hounding the kebab shop because they didn’t put garlic yoghurt on your lamb on rice.
Instead, take some time out to reflect. Matariki is a holiday consisting of looking to the past, but also to the future. You can’t really do that when you’re on the sauce, no matter how many “enlightening” drunk conversations you think you have had.
This story was first published on June 24, 2022, when the first Matariki public holiday was celebrated. Te Pire mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki (the Matariki Public Holiday Bill) was passed on April 7, 2022.