The Matariki season is one of drawing closer together, to wānanga about new futures. We collaborated with Colenso and Spark to create a digital platform, that brings Aotearoa together to share their stories for the new year ahead.

Spark have been instrumental in bringing fresh and innovative thinking to normalising te reo Māori and celebrating our indigenous culture. Kupu app (kupu.co.nz (https://kupu.co.nz/)) was revolutionary.

Ka mua, ka muri – to walk backwards into the future. For Māori, the stars tell stories of all that has been and has yet to be. They are our whānau who guide us in our journey ahead.

During Matariki we reflect on whānau who continue to guide us from the stars and dream of what the year ahead holds. Dr Rangi Matamua is a leading expert on Matariki and the role of stars in indigenous practises and beliefs.

Through close collaboration with Māori knowledge experts, every aspect of the experience expresses a te ao Māori view.

To enable people to share their stories, a digital platform was created in which messages are shared and transformed into stars, to adorn the korowai of Ranginui. A wonderful way to create positive unity after 2020 being such a challenging year.

These stars were all inspired by the form of a manaia and of makaurangi (spirals). The whatu (eye) of the manaia sees into our future and our past.

The waha (mouth) expresses our hopes and aspirations. The ringaringa (hands) embrace all our opportunities past and present. Along with the spirals, these represent the cyclical connections between all things. our hope for a return of good things and appreciation for the lessons of the past.

A beautiful digital experience, adding another layer of kōrero to Matariki, helping to normalise te ao Māori in te ao Matihiko (digital world).