As Aotearoa New Zealand prepares to mark Te Wā o Matariki officially on 10 July, Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec invites kaimahi ‘staff’ and ‘akonga ‘students’ to reflect, reconnect and celebrate through special events across our campuses for two weeks starting from Friday 3 July.

Everyone (including the public) is warmly welcomed to the special events that honour the values at the heart of the Māori New Year.

These events celebrate creativity and community while recognising Matariki as a time to remember the past, celebrate the present and look with hope to the future. They also reflect our commitment to creating opportunities for ākonga and kaimahi to connect through te ao Māori, culture and community.

Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster. Its appearance in the midwinter sky marks the Māori New Year.


The events start at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, Mt Albert Campus with the Matariki Glow Trail on Friday, 3 July

The Matariki Glow Trail will transform the space surrounding Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae into an outdoor exhibition of light, art, performance and storytelling.

Around forty-five ākonga from the School of Architecture at Mt Albert Campus have spent Semester One designing and creating 15 illuminated sculpture installations inspired by the themes of Matariki.

These works have previously been showcased at the annual Takapuna Matariki Market, but this year will be displayed at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae to mark the 50-year anniversary of Unitec.

The showcases not only creativity and technical skills, but also how design can connect people with culture, place and community.

“Matariki brings them together, helps them to grow, encourages collegiality, and brings a different energy and atmosphere when they collaborate on these sculptures,” says lecturer Keith Mann.

There will also be a special performance by West Auckland-based kapa haka group Te Taha Tū. Visitors will be invited to try out a new digital hīkoi app using virtual reality headsets, which our kaimahi have developed.

The Matariki Dawn Breakfast on Wednesday, 8 July will also be held at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae. This gathering offers staff and students an opportunity to pause, acknowledge the significance of Matariki and begin the day together in a spirit of reflection, gratitude and renewal.

At the Ōtara Campus on the morning of Friday 13 July, a Flag Raising Ceremony and Karakia at the Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae will be followed by a Matariki Korero later in the day. It’s an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the previous year, celebrate the present and look forward with hope to the start of the new year.


An event at Manukau Campus during last year’s Matariki celebrations

Other events will be held throughout the week (see below for details) including at Manukau Campus on Tuesday 14 July where there will be flax weaving and soup. The events across MIT and Unitec will conclude with Karakia at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae on Friday 13 July.


Matua Vince at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae

MIT kaumatua Vince Hapi says “Matariki hui hui anamai – Mataraki brings us all together to farewell the old year and welcome the new year.

“It’s about hope, aspiration, a new start, new beginnings. Tai timu, tai pari – the tide goes out, the tide comes in. Matariki is all about celebration. Harae mai to everyone to our special events,” he adds.

Kaitiaki Taiao, Hinewaimarama Reihana-White from the Mt Albert Campus, says Matariki is an important occasion for our wider whānau.

“It’s a special time of gathering, a time of reflection and remembering those who have passed, and a time of re-setting and planning for the coming year. But it’s important that we come together as a whānau,” Hinewaimarama says.

Everyone is warmly encouraged to attend all events.

WHAT’S ON?

Matariki Glow Trail
Friday, 3 July
5.00pm–8.00pm
Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, Mt Albert Campus

Staff who are available to volunteer during the Glow Trail are encouraged to contact Camelia Pirika cpirika@unitec.ac.nz

Matariki Dawn Breakfast
Wednesday, 8 July
6.45am–8.00am
Manaaki, Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, Mt Albert

Please RSVP to the Marae team marae@unitec.ac.nz for catering purposes.

Flag raising/Karakia Parakuihi
Friday, 13 July
7.00am – 9.00am
Nga Kete Wananga Marae, Otara

 

Matariki Korero
Monday, 13 July
12.00pm-12.35pm
Nga Kete Wananga Marae, Otara

 

Matariki with Te Ara Oranga
Tuesday, 14 July
11.00am – 12.00pm
Manukau Campus (atrium)

 

Matariki with Tangata Whenua Association Activities
Wednesday, 15 July
Nga Kete Wananga Marae, Otara

 

Lowering of the flag. Karakia and shared lunch
Friday, 17 July
10.30am – 12.00pm
Nga Kete Wananga Marae, Otara