Matariki is becoming a beautiful national event, uniting people of all cultures to restore, reconnect and look forward to the future. Each iwi has their own relationship to Matariki. These stories and practices keep their unique sense of mana and identity thriving.

The revitalisation and reinvigoration of these regional practices and narratives ensures that Māori mana motuhake (self determination) and tuakiritanga (identity) can thrive in our changing world. Our passion was to bring to life a unique Matariki story distinct from the one most commonly known.

The artwork entitled “Ko Matariki te Kairuuri” was created by the creatives at Ira in partnership with Manawa Tapu (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa). The creative team worked with Waikato Tainui on embedding Tainui Waka kōrero tuku iho (cultural knowledge) in the art. Those who interacted with the experience wove themselves stitch by stitch into the art. The added tukutuku kōwhiti (stitches) are like a sparkling energy, a mauri (life force) giving life and beauty.

In this narrative, Matariki is the child of Tama-nui-i-te-rā, the sun and Te Raro, another name for Papatūānuku. Matariki is the “kairuuri”, the surveyor of the skies and guides the sun along its journey towards Hine Takurua (the winter solstice) to Hine Raumati (the summer solstice). She is in balance with her husband, Atutahi, who clears the way and ensures there are no impediments to her path. Her six children represent connections to the environment.

The artwork features seven prominent mountains of the Tainui Waka region which represents the mana motuhake (self determination) of the many hapū and iwi. The seven stars of Matariki are mirrored in the heavens. Flowing through the centre of the piece is the Waikato river, a symbol of the lifeblood and cultural identity of Tainui Waka.

This work has been a collaboration with representatives from: Tainui Waka (Jason Kereopa - Ngāti Mahuta), Manawa Tapu (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa), Stacey Kitchen (Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa) and the creative team at Ira, Sarai Morris (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāti Hine) and Johnson Mckay (Ngāti Mahuta), Vaughn Small and our friends at Made By South for the production and installation. E mihi atu nei ki a koutou. Nā koutou tēnei kaupapa i hāpai kia harikoa ai te ngākau o ngā tāngata katoa.