MatarikiRefleftion

Rev. Dr Richard Waugh

Jane and I were invited to Bastion Point/Takaparawhau for the second annual Matariki organised by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei (the main central Auckland tribe), along with a number of Erebus families I have been working with. It was a privilege for me in my chaplaincy role and with Jane to be included in the invitation by the Ministry of Culture & Heritage.

So, we got up early leaving the house at 4am. A lonely drive with virtually no traffic to St Heliers and around the waterfront to a carpark at Okahu Bay where we were designated to meet. Then amid hundreds of others, boarded buses to take us up the nearby hill to the hilltop marae.

Thousands of people gathered in the dark and despite the nearby CBD and city lights, the sky was mostly clear so we could see many of the prominent stars, although the Matariki cluster (Pleiades) itself was quite faint in the dawn light, near the moon.

The hour’s programme consisted of speeches, mostly in Maori, with Karakia (prayers), Karanga (calling) and Waiata (songs), and always with great enthusiasm. Jane took the attached photograph from where we were standing, with one of the open fires nearby, one of the flags evident and the face of a young leader. You can see the moon in the photo and the changing sky at the very beginning of the dawn. As light increased, you can also see Rangitoto gradually appearing in front of us across the Waitemata harbour.

As dawn broke and the programme ended, we were invited to the nearby marae dining room for breakfast. Hundreds of people took up the invitation, and Jane and I were pleased to have hot coffee and a lovely cooked breakfast. Then we all enjoyed waiata from many of the Ngāti Whātua women. Wonderful songs with many young ones involved and it reminded us of the Pasifika singing we have so much appreciated over the years.

From the editor

In July many people gathered at dawn to participate in Matariki activities led by various marae or iwi groups. Laidlaw College shared a resource that helps us to understand how the Church can be prepared to engage with Matariki. You can find the resource here.

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