June 20, 2024
Matariki cause for celebration
Te Rarawa kaumatua Haami Piripi says he’s disappointed that some people are calling Matariki a Māori holiday, instead of celebrating it as something uniquely New Zealand.
He says he’s celebrated Matariki for years – from his public service career at the Maori Language Commission, and as the former chair of Te Rarawa rūnanga.
Mr Piripi says nobody complains about Christmas, Easter, Labour weekend or provincial anniversary holidays.
“I always thought that it’s been a fantastic thing, because its an indigenous festival. And it’s actually the only indigenous festival that we celebrate. And I think that we should celebrate that in itself – you know the fact that it’s a celebration that’s specific to here,” he says.
Haami Piripi says while other countries have their own New Year celebrations, the alignment of our stars means the timing for Matariki is unique to Aotearoa-New Zealand.