Celebrating Matariki 2023: A Guide to the M?ori New Year for Parents

Welcome, dear parents, to your comprehensive guide on celebrating Matariki 2023! If you’re eager to introduce your family to this significant event in the M?ori calendar, you’ve come to the right place. Matariki is a cherished time in Aotearoa (New Zealand), marking the beginning of the M?ori New Year. It’s a time for connecting with wh?nau (family), reflecting on the past, and setting intentions for the year ahead. So let’s dive into the sparkling world of Matariki and discover how you can weave these traditions into your family festivities.

When Is Matariki in 2023?

The onset of Matariki changes every year as it’s determined by the rising of the Matariki star cluster, also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. In 2023, Matariki officially begins on the 14th of July, aligning with the appearance of the Matariki star cluster. This celestial event signifies a time to pause and reflect, offering an opportunity for families to come together and celebrate life.

Understanding Matariki and Its Importance

Matariki has a special place in the hearts of many people in New Zealand. For the M?ori, it’s not just a stargazing event. It represents a profound cultural and spiritual moment when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is considered thinner, making it an excellent time for remembrance and renewal.

How You Can Engage Your Family with Matariki

• Stargazing: Gather your little ones for a night under the stars. Look for the Matariki constellation and share stories about the significance of each star. It’s a fantastic way to bond and learn together.
• Planting: Planting during Matariki is a symbolic gesture. By nurturing new life, you’re fundamentally connecting with the earth and celebrating growth. Plus, it’s a hands-on activity the kids will love!
• Workshops and Events: Check out community events for Matariki. Many places host activities, from weaving workshops to cultural performances, providing an immersive learning experience for all ages.

Plan a Memorable Matariki Celebration

Making Matariki memorable is all about the atmosphere you create. Think about organising a family dinner with traditional M?ori foods or your own local favorites. Decorate your home with themed artwork created by your children, adding to the excitement and significance of the event. Remember, the core principles of Matariki include togetherness, celebration, and hope. Any activity that incorporates these aspects is sure to be a hit!

As we look forward to Matariki 2023, let’s embrace this beautiful tradition, infusing it with our own family customs to create a truly personal celebration. Stay with us as we delve deeper into Matariki traditions, stories, and ways to educate and involve your children in this meaningful event. And don’t forget, Matariki is not just about looking back or forward; it’s about enjoying where we are now—with our loved ones, under the same starry sky that has brought people together for generations.

The stars of Matariki are calling, and together, we shall answer with joy in our hearts and a spirit of unity. Let’s make the Matariki 2023 a beacon of light for our families, radiating warmth, wisdom, and well-being as we embark on a new year together.

Stay tuned to delve even deeper into the wonders of Matariki and how it can enlighten and enrich your family’s life in countless ways.

Image Credit

5 Things Parents Should Know in Preparing for Matariki 2023

1. Learn the Significance of Matariki:
   Before Matariki arrives, take some time to educate yourself and your family on what Matariki means. It not only honors the star cluster, but also celebrates the connection to the environment, ancestors, and the passing of knowledge to new generations. Engaging in family discussions and reading books on Matariki can deepen your understanding and appreciation for the celebration.
2. Check the Weather and Moon Phases:
   Being a celestial event, clear skies make for the best stargazing experience. Also, a new moon phase is preferable since it makes the stars appear brighter. Leading up to Matariki, keep an eye on local weather forecasts to choose the best night for observing the stars with your family.
3. Create Your Own Traditions:
   There’s no one right way to celebrate Matariki. You can attend public events or rituals, or create your own at home. Starting new traditions, such as making a Matariki lantern or preparing a feast with foods harvested from your garden, can be both meaningful and fun for everyone in the family.
4. Plan Ahead for Community Events:
   Community centers, museums, and cultural groups often hold events to celebrate Matariki. These can include music and dance performances, storytelling, and art exhibitions. Planning ahead and booking tickets if necessary will ensure you won’t miss out on these enriching experiences.
5. Involve Your Children in Planning:
   Involvement in planning can make Matariki more engaging for children. Let them be a part of choosing activities, setting up decorations, or deciding on the menu for a celebratory meal. When children take part, they learn more and the celebration becomes truly familial.

Engaging with the Community During Matariki

Participating in community events during Matariki connects families with larger cultural narratives and offers the chance to engage with storytelling, arts, music, and dance rooted in the M?ori tradition. Such experiences not only bring learning and joy but also strengthen the sense of community and belonging.

As Matariki 2023 approaches, let these insights illuminate your preparations. Celebrating Matariki can be a harmonious blend of contemplation, festivity, and cultural education. So gather your wh?nau, and with eyes turned skyward, welcome the M?ori New Year with optimism and unity. From stargazing moments to daytime festivities, each experience becomes a precious memory in your family’s life tapestry.

This season, with its crisp wintry air and the promise of new beginnings, is your canvas. Craft a celebration of Matariki that reflects the uniqueness of your family, as we simultaneously honour the traditions of the past and cultivate the seeds of tomorrow.

Embrace the spirit of Matariki this 2023—may it lead your family to a year filled with joy, understanding, and treasured moments beneath the twinkling guide of the Seven Sisters.

The anticipation builds, and our hearts grow warmer with the thought of families across New Zealand coming together in reverence and joy. Matariki is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a living, breathing moment in time where we acknowledge the cyclical beauty of life, the universe, and our place within it.

As you look up at the night sky, remember that each star in the Matariki cluster tells a story, and this year, it’s your turn to add your family’s narrative to the celestial tapestry. Here’s wishing you a Matariki that’s as splendid and enlightening as the stars themselves.

See more great Things to Do with Kids in New Zealand here. For more information see here

Disclaimer
The articles available via our website provide general information only and we strongly urge readers to exercise caution and conduct their own thorough research and fact-checking. The information presented should not be taken as absolute truth, and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, we will not be held liable for any inaccuracies or errors in the content. It is essential for individuals to independently verify and validate the information before making any decisions or taking any actions based on the articles.