Matariki
Matariki
TE ARA O NGĀ WHETŪ O MATARIKI
FOLLOW THE STARS OF MATARIKI
It's time to start planning your Matariki celebration, and we're here to help with a Follow the Stars map of events and activities taking place from Monday 24 June - Sunday 14 July 2024.
We're inviting registrations for community events based around the nine stars that make up the Matariki star cluster. Registered events can apply for up to $500 to help make the events happen. We're looking for ideas that engage a wide section of the community.
Registrations must be made by Friday 24 May, and we'll produce a map of events around Masterton District and promote them through advertising and social media.
Activities must:
- be aligned to one of the stars in Matariki
- take place between Monday 24 June and Sunday 14 July 2024
- be open to the public.
How to apply
Complete a registration form:
- Download a fillable form (pdf,167KB)
- Collect a hard copy from the Customer Service Centre, 161 Queen Street or Masterton District Library, 54 Queen Street.
Return your form:
- email to events@mstn.govt.nz
- post to MDC - Matariki Registration, PO Box 444, Masterton, 5810
- deliver to the Customer Service Centre, 161 Queen Street
For more information email communitydevelopment@mstn.govt.nz
Stars of Matariki
Below are the nine stars of Matariki and what they are associated with.
Matariki
The star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and wellbeing of people.
Pōhutukawa
The star associated with those that have passed on. Pōhutukawa suspended above, a constant reminder for my treasured ones that have gone. May you shine as stars in the night, and sparkle within our memories forever more.
Waitī
The star associated with all fresh water bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.
"Waitī above, Waitī below, flowing are your waters as sustenance for the land, as vitality for mankind, as a food basket for the people. The current of the river swirls and eddies, the lakes ripple, and the source of Tāne-te-waiora overflows, 'tis life!"
Waitā
The star associated with the ocean, and food sources within it.
"Behold the great expense of Kiwa that gleams green and blue beneath you Waitā. Draw up the many of Ikatere, dive out to sea, and collect from the seaside as food for the multitude ashore. The charm of Tangaroa has begun! 'Tis the great current, the long current, the boisterous ocean, the calm ocean."
Waipuna-ā-rangi
The star associated with the rain.
"Welcome the misty rain! Welcome the drizzle! Welcome the showers! Welcome the heavy drenching rain! Fall from the spring of the sacred sky, give drink oh Waipuna-ā-rangi, the land grows, and the people flourish."
Tupu-ā-nuku
The star associated with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food.
"Tupu-ā-nuku shoot up, and grow down, the be plentiful. May the mound dedicated to Rongo be forever fertile, that which was formed from afar. The bounty of Nukutū is scooped up in great numbers, till the soil, cultivate, harvest the year of copious abundance."
Tupu-ā-rangi
The star associated with everything that grows up in the trees: fruits, berries, and birds.
"Thriving is the forest, lush is the forest, bountiful is the crown of the forest upon which the children of Tāne settle, there indeed is the great fowling tree. Tupu-ā-rangi you shall make the forest plentiful, the birds are rich with fat, the berries are fertile, sustenance."
Ururangi
The star associated with the winds.
"Ururangi pacify the unseeing god, lest the wind blows violently, blasting and fierce hitherto. But instead let it be a breeze, a gentle caressing wind so I may be revitalised and refreshed."
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
The star associated with granting our wishes, and realising our aspirations for the coming year.
"Great Hiwa, long-established Hiwa, skilled Hiwa, wise Hiwa! Hiwaiterangi this is the wish of the desiring heart; this is the determination of the longing heart. Spread our in plenty the multitude of immense opportunities. Hold fast to succeed, hold firm to good fortune! Go forth into the world and prosper."