Matariki Heri Kai
This year’s Matariki theme is Matariki Heri Kai – or the Feast of Matariki. Kai being a connector of people helps to bring us together and what we have gathered for our shared feast speaks volumes about the unique places we come from. With Matariki Heri Kai in mind, Healthy Families Rotorua dived into its […]
Matariki ignites ancient ways
Healthy Families Rotorua is part of a mātauranga Māori revitalisation kaupapa to celebrate Matariki. In 2022, the team helped Kai Rotorua plant and harvest kūmara at Te Puea Orchard for Matariki ceremonies. This year, the team participated in the revival of an ana kūmara to store our produce, including two ancient varieties. At this month’s […]
Gold whetū for Matariki
Rotorua’s Matariki celebration at Motutara Point last month has received a gold star from Te Arawa kōeke. Healthy Families Rotorua lead systems innovator, Pirihira Whata, says the umu kohukohu whetū was hailed a success by kōeke at a recent follow-up hui with the event’s organising committee. She says overall, everyone was pleased with how the […]
Essence of Matariki
The city’s inaugural Matariki civic ceremony will provide locals and visitors the opportunity to participate in a traditional umu kohukohu whetū. To honour Matariki being observed as a public holiday, Rotorua will hold an umu kohukohu whetū on Friday 24 June at Motutara Point on the shores of Lake Rotorua. A Ngāti Whakaue representative, Kingi […]
City to celebrate Matariki
A traditional hautapu will feature in Rotorua’s first ever Matariki civic ceremony to celebrate the Māori New Year. Healthy Families Rotorua lead systems innovator, Pirihira Whata, has been collaborating with Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Uenukukopako, Ngā Pou ō Whakapoungakau, Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Tatau o Te Arawa, Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust, Matariki exponents and whānau representatives to […]
Space for Matariki celebrations
Pirihira Whata in a Zoom meeting about the Matariki kaupapa.
