On Friday July 14th, Pasifika TV is proud to be broadcasting the 2023 Matariki celebrations across the Pacific. Starting with the Mānawatia a Matariki hautapu ceremony and followed by performances and reports from around Aotearoa, this year promises to be the best yet!
As always, make sure to check in with your local broadcaster to see when it’s on and catch all the excitement.
For centuries, in Aotearoa and around the Pacific, the appearance of Matariki in the mid-winter skies signaled the arrival of the new year. Now that Matariki is marked by an annual public holiday in Aotearoa, it’s an opportunity for us all to learn more about the cluster and the traditions that surround it.
In mid-winter, when Matariki appears on the eastern horizon in the morning, a ceremony takes place. This ceremony is commonly known as whāngai i te hautapu – or hautapu for short. It means to feed the stars with a sacred offering.
This year’s celebration starts at 6am NZT from Ngongotaha – be sure to check in with your local broadcaster to find out when its on your channel. Source: Supplied
The Mānawatia a Matariki hautapu ceremony will feature karakia and karanga from Scotty Morrison, Jamus Webster, Waikāmihi Ormsby, Eruera Keepa, Hana Mereraiha, Dr Anaha Hiini, Rangitiaria Tibble , Ranginui Rikirangi-Thomas Manurere McGarvey, Kereama Wright, Parewahaika Carlson, Matariki Cribb Fox and Mataia Keepa.
So tune in July 14th to join Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) and Mātai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) from Ngongotahā Mountain (Rotorua) for live coverage of the national Matariki celebrations. Beginning at dawn with the traditional Hautapu ceremony and featuring reports from across the regions and very special performances by Tauranga family band The Harmonic Resonators. Informative and entertaining, Mānawatia a Matariki invites all of Aotearoa to both understand the old traditions and create new ones of our own.
