Matariki At Te Puia - Hautapu Ceremony

Join us to celebrate the rising of the Matariki star cluster and the start of the Māori New Year.

Matariki Hautapu Ceremony
5:00am – 7.00am

Our Matariki Hautapu Ceremony led by NZMACI Pou Tāhū Te Waata Cribb and Te Rāngai Kawa – Te Tokotoru a Manawakotokoto, will showcase a deep respect for ancestral practices that acknowledge the past, present, and future through three key parts of the dawn ceremony.

The first part, Te Tirohanga, looks to the stars for forecasts. Based on these observations, tohunga make predictions about the upcoming year.

The second part, Taki Mōteatea, remembers loved ones who have passed away since the last appearance of Matariki. By calling out the names of those who have passed in the presence of the star cluster, Māori believe when Matariki rises again, those spirits become stars in the sky.

The third part, Te Whāngai i ngā whetū, means ‘feeding the stars’. Kai (food) representing each of the four different stars associated with food is gathered and cooked in umu/hāngī, then the steam is released into the sky as an offering that replenishes the stars.

The act of gathering, sharing kai, singing waiata and telling stories fosters a sense of community and collective identity. It provides an opportunity for individuals to come together, reconnect with their environment, and find solace in the company of others.

In Māori history, after a formal Hautapu ceremony everyone would gather to feast, play games, plan and prepare for the year ahead.

Hautapu Ceremony draft programme:

5:00am – Gather in Whakaruruhau and then head out to Pikirangi Village around the ahi (fire).

5:15am – Stargazing.

5:30am – Kawa Hautapu.
* Kawa whakaaraara: Sounding of putatara to signal sighting of Matariki.
* Kawa ki a Pōhutukawa: Karakia to call on the star Pōhutukawa.
* Whakahua i ngā Mate: Names of those who have passed will be mentioned.
* Karanga Poroporoaki: Farewell to departing loved ones.
* Waiata Tangi
* Umu Kohukohu Whetū – Unearthing of the umu (earth oven).
* Kawa ki a Matariki – a karakia recitation to the stars of Matariki.
* Kawa Unuhia (closing)

6:40am – Whakangahau
* Mihimihi: opportunity to speak
* Waiata-a-ringa: time for waiata
* Wish each other Mānawatia a Matariki – Happy New Year.

7:00am – Finish