The Christchurch Multicultural Council (CMC) hosted a celebration to mark Matariki Day, also known as Maori New Year, at Te Hapua Halswell Centre in Christchurch.
The July 15 event, attended by more than a hundred members from diverse ethnic communities, emphasised the cultural significance of matariki in Maori tradition, and its broader relevance within the multicultural community of New Zealand.
Matariki is a cherished celebration for the people of New Zealand. It holds great cultural significance, representing a time for reflection, renewal, and gathering with loved ones.
The rising of the Pleiades star cluster in the winter sky marks the beginning of the new year in the Maori lunar calendar. Matariki's appearance signifies a time of remembrance, happiness, and harmony, uniting communities to celebrate the shared heritage. It is a special occasion that brings people together to honour their traditions.
While Matariki is unique to Maori culture, it shares similarities with other cultural celebrations worldwide. Various cultures have distinct festivities that mark significant moments in their calendars.
Chinese New Year, Diwali, Songkran, Nowruz, Hanami, Inti Raymi, and many others celebrate light, renewal, and the connection with celestial events.
In his opening address, Dr Surinder Tandon, President of CMC, emphasised the significance of Matariki as a chance for Christchurch's multicultural community to come together and embrace the cherished Maori values of whanaungatanga (togetherness) and manaakitanga (hospitality).
The occasion served as a meaningful platform for community members to engage in mutual learning, acknowledge the wealth of their diverse backgrounds, and rejoice in their shared humanity.
“As we gather to celebrate the Matariki Day, let us reflect on the challenges and triumphs we have faced as a community. Matariki reminds us that, like the stars in the night sky, we are all connected, and together we can navigate through the darkest of times as during the Canterbury earthquakes, March 15 mosque attacks, forest fires and floods,” Tandon said.
The event commenced by highlighting the significant connections that people from various cultures and faiths share with the Matariki star constellation.
Japanese culture associates it with Subaru and Tanabata, Hindus with Krittika Nakshatra, and the Chinese with Mao, symbolising the hairy head of the white tiger.
Additionally, Persians, Macedonians, and others also hold a strong relevance and connection to the Matariki (Pleiades) constellation.
CMC members Naomi Peters, Irinka Briitnell, Farahnaz Khosravi and Archna Tandon eloquently discussed the Matariki connections with Japanese, Macedonians, Persians, and Hindus respectively.
Explaining how Maori Matariki and Hindu Kritika both have cultural and astronomical significance in their respective communities, Archna Tandon said, “Both are star clusters: Matariki in the southern hemisphere and Kritika in the northern.
“They are celebrated as festivals, symbolising light's triumph over darkness. Matariki marks the Maori New Year, fostering reflection and community gathering.
“Kritika is part of Diwali, representing motherly love and courage. They hold seasonal importance: Matariki marks winter solstice in NZ, and Kritika heralds winter in India.”
The celebration featured captivating musical performances that honoured the diverse talents and cultural contributions of various ethnicities.
The shared meal, a delightful potluck dinner, showcased a delicious array of dishes brought in by members of diverse cultures, providing a delightful culinary experience for everyone involved.
The CMC presented annual awards, Certificates of Appreciation, to individuals like Naomi Peters, Jennifer Hsiao, Jianfei Zhao, and institutions like Canterbury Kia Ora Academy and Simurgh Music School.
Former Christchurch City Councillor Jimmy Chen, who worked tirelessly for ethnic communities during his four terms, was granted CMC's maiden Honorary Life Membership, fondly regarded as the local multicultural ambassador.
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