June 19, 2024
Matariki evolves in the hands of rangatahi
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Former MP Hone Harawira says Matariki has become about more than looking at the stars.
He says as a kura kaupapa board member he’s been impressed with the way the younger generation is developing the midwinter celebration.
It’s also a chance for Māoridom as a whole to set aside the old and try out new things.
He told Radio Waatea host Matthew Tukaki at a time when some in politics are trying to crush the Māoriness out of Aotearoa, Māori should encourage all New Zealanders to celebrate Matariki.
“It’s great for us to be ferociously Māori. Its also a positive thing – and part of Matariki – that whole revitalisation of the language and of an understanding of who we are… that we are big enough and bold enough, and should be, to embrace all other cultures in what it is we do – including all of our pākeha relations,” Mr Harawira says.
He says the rise of the kōhanga generations means it will be almost impossible to return Aotearoa to monocultural colonialism.