Thomas Winn: Why Matariki is more relevant than Santa Claus

As New Zealand celebrates Matariki, the Maori New Year, it’s time to think about how we can add a day to the year to celebrate Maori worldviews, tūpuna, the vast oceans they sailed and the knowledge they carried, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

From village to village, island to island, people to people, we pass on this kete of knowledge, ‘akono’anga, our Pe’u Masori, and celebrate Matariki together.

Santa Claus, dressed in red and riding a reindeer, is a celebration of the winter solstice and new year in the northern hemisphere, but for people in the central Moana Nui Okiwa Mountains who have never seen snow, let alone reindeer, the scene means nothing.

Matariki is an important festival celebrated throughout Moana and Polynesia, marked by the sighting of the Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades). This festival for us is about renewal, reflection and connection to the natural and spiritual worlds. Its importance and significance to us Maori encompasses all aspects of life including agriculture, navigation, community and spirituality, reflecting the holistic worldview of Moana society and its interconnectedness with the sea, soil, sky and each other.

Matariki has deep cultural and historical significance throughout Polynesia. The reappearance of the Matariki star cluster in the morning sky marks the start of the new year and the onset of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, usually in late May or early June.

Traditionally, this period is a key marker for preparing the land and community for the coming season. Communities gather to celebrate the harvest, honour tūpuna, and plan for future endeavours on the land and the Moana River, re-emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and our intergenerational connection to the world of Te Ao Māori, ki mua, ki muri.

Matariki is traditionally celebrated throughout Polynesia, including Aotearoa, the island nation we now know as the Cook Islands, Tahiti, and Hawaii. In each location, the specific customs vary, but all share common themes of thanksgiving, remembrance, and community gathering.

In New Zealand, Maori communities celebrate with communal feasting, storytelling, traditional music and dance. Families gather to honour their ancestors, reflect on the past year and set new goals for the future.

In the Cook Islands, a similar tradition is observed during the Matariki Festival, where the community feasts, shares stories and participates in cultural activities.

In the Hawaiian Kingdom, Matariki celebrations are called “Makali’i” and are part of the Makahiki Festival.

To our Tahitian Nui cousins, the Pleiades is called “Matari’i” and marks the beginning of their new year.

Agriculture was a cornerstone of Polynesian life, and the Matariki festival played a vital role in guiding planting and harvesting practices. The timing of the stars coincided with the end of the harvest season, providing a moment for people to celebrate the bounty of the land. Observing the brightness and position of the stars was an important indicator of the best time to plant. A bright and clear Matariki was seen as a sign of a good harvest, while a dim star foreshadowed a challenging upcoming season. This practice illustrates the deep connection between people and their environment, highlighting the importance of the celestial bodies in sustaining life.

Matariki is of great significance in Maori astronomy, both in agriculture and navigation. Knowledge of the stars and constellations was vital to our navigation of Moana, and the Matariki star cluster, along with other celestial markers, was a navigational tool to guide our voyagers across Moana.

Matariki is very special to our family as we have a granddaughter named Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, named after the star which symbolizes future aspirations and dreams. She was named after our sister and great aunt Te Rangitopi te Tonga who married Momoa Eteke Teava from Tupapa.

Why do we continue to celebrate this big man in red sitting in the snow on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, even though Matariki is a way to celebrate our Maori identity? It reminds us that we are truly influenced by other people and their worldviews, and that we have the opportunity to see the world from our own perspective rather than from the perspective of others.