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Download AudioOne of the people helping to shape the Matariki revival says connecting the celebration with alcohol advertising is a big no-no.
Rereata Makiha says the expert panel advising on the date and format for the first public holiday on Friday recognised some commercialisation would be inevitable.
But alcohol’s not the way to mark the midwinter rising of the Matariki star constellation.
“All the pataka were full of kai and you could sit around and plan for the next year and take your time at doing things like that and I think these are some of the practices we are hoping to get back to, where you don’t have to rush and keep pushing yourself every day but learn to rest, take time out with the families, and bring the whānau together at this time and actually plan whānau activities for the next year,” Mr Mahika says.
He also doesn’t want to see people letting off fireworks to mark Matariki.
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