Matariki is celebrated annually from late June/ early July to celebrate the first rising of the Pleiades star cluster. Maramataka, the traditional Māori lunar calendar, was developed as a guide that represents the best time for planting, harvesting, fishing and other activities which are guided by the moon phases. This calendar is also used to mark significant occasions throughout the year, including Matariki.
Matariki is a time for reflection on the year that has passed and acknowledging any loved ones that may have died. It is also a celebration of the year to come and an opportunity to give thanks for everything you are grateful for. It is a time for colleagues, whānau and friends to get together and enjoy this festive day in their own unique way.
Ideas to celebrate Matariki in your workplace:
• Have a hui to celebrate some of your achievements over the last 12 months and set some goals for the year ahead.
• Organise a collection for a local foodbank.
• Have a Matariki feast – everyone can bring kai to share.
• Introduce more te reo Māori in your workplace starting with some name labelling of things in your area like furniture, kitchen (kīhini), toilets (wharepaku).
• Encourage staff to share their own celebrations for Matariki.
• It's cool to kōrero! Support staff to give it a go and speak reo at work from greetings like “Kia ora” to goodbye “haere rā”
Read more articles in our July 2023 newsletter
