Matariki holiday chance for nation building

Photo: Radio Waatea Image Database.

Claudette Hauiti Rangi Matamua: Matariki holiday chance for nation building

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The chair of the expert advisory group on Matariki is ecstatic at the passing of the law creating a public holiday marking the Māori new year.

Rangi Matamua was at Parliament yesterday to hear the third reading of Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki.

He says Matariki celebrates unity, growth, sharing and remembrance.

“In terms of nation building and helping to forge our national identity, I always thought Matariki was perfect, but to have it acknowledged and for it to now play a part in who we are, I’m just elated,” Dr Matamua says.

This year’s first Matariki holiday will be on June 24, the Friday closest to the Tangaroa lunar phase of Pīpiri.

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