Matariki mā Puanga
Mānawa maiea te putanga a Matariki
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi
Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau
Celebrate the rising of Matariki
Celebrate the rising of the lord of the sky
Celebrate the rising of the New Year
The theme for Matariki this year is ‘Matariki mā Puanga’ - Celebrating together.
“Matariki mā Puanga means Matariki (Pleiades) and Puanga (Rigel), and this phrase acknowledges the relationship between these stars. Both Matariki and Puanga rise in the eastern sky before the sun during the winter period; however, some tribes and regions of the country look to Puanga instead of Matariki as the main marker of the New Year.
The 2025 theme of Matariki mā Puanga is all about inclusion, embracing diversity, and celebrating Matariki together.
Matariki and Puanga are stars that sit in the night sky together to signal the start of the Māori new year for different iwi.
Matariki mā Puanga acknowledges and embraces the different traditions, stars, and tikanga around celebrating the Māori New Year, recognising the regional variations.
We can all connect to the core values of Matariki and Puanga and embrace the diverse ways for marking the New Year.”
The Matariki website is a good place to go to learn about this year’s theme for Matariki.
This year for Matariki at The Kindness Project, we are releasing a free downloadable called “Matariki mā Puanga: Casting my intentions to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi”. It’s a guide all about prioritising self-care, rediscovering your passions, and becoming the best version of yourself. Taking time to reset your intentions and define your moemoeā. Looking to Pōhutukawa, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, and Matariki for guidance to help steer our waka in the right direction.
Step one looks at reflection. Guided by the star Pōhutukawa, who is the oldest star and child of Matariki rāua ko Rehua. It is also the star that is associated with the dead. “Matariki whanaunga kore, Matariki tohu mate” - Matariki the kinless, Matariki the sign of death. Reminding us to not only reflect on those we have lost this year but to reflect on our triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned as well. This gives us a good base on what our moemoea and whāinga for the coming year could be.
Step two is guided by Hiwa-i-te-Rangi. Hiwa is the youngest star and is associated with granting our wishes and realising our aspirations for the coming year. Looking at aspirations that are not just for individual gain but also for the wellbeing of your whānau, community, and the environment.
Considering aspirations that foster:
Ora (wellbeing): Physical, mental, spiritual, emotional.
Whanaungatanga (connection): Strengthening relationships with family and community.
Manaakitanga (generosity/care): How you can support others.
Kaitiakitanga (guardianship): Your role in looking after the environment.
Then finally step three focuses on committing and nurturing your aspirations of the new year. Guided by Matariki, we delve into the world of sharing our intentions for the year and keeping ourselves accountable. Whether you are re-checking in with your goals you set at the Gregorian New Year or you follow Matariki and you are about to set new intentions, this is something you can do.
In years past, I have written out my whāinga, but I haven’t been one to tuku my wāwata and moemoea to Hiwa before, but it’s something I want to start doing. So not only is this guide for you, but it’s also for me. A reminder and push in the right direction when it comes to celebrating Matariki.
So, as the Māori New Year dawns, I encourage you to also take this chance to cast your intentions to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi. And may the year ahead of you bring you growth, peace, and a renewed energy.
Here’s to steering your waka in the right direction. Mānawatia a Matariki!
Nā Maddi x