Two of the seven Pou Whakare (pillars) which symbolise Matariki and surround Waka Maumahara, the memorial pillar at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae at Wintec.

Wintec’s Matariki festival, Horahia Matariki 2021, promises a cultural, colourful and connected experience from 28 June – 23 July to celebrate the Māori New Year.

As the Matariki star cluster rises, Wintec will mark the Māori New Year with a range of events from the traditional to the unexpected.

The Matariki star cluster is known worldwide and it’s particularly treasured in Aotearoa New Zealand as a time to gather with whānau and friends, to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future.  

Wintec Māori Achievement Manager, Hagen Tautari says, “as we gaze at the stars in the night sky, we acknowledge the mātauranga of our ancestors, realise its relevancy for today and recontextualise a brighter future for all”.

Horahia Matariki 2021 starts on 28 June with a dawn ceremony at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae on Wintec City campus. This year the events include a new event for Wintec – an escape room experience where learnings of Matariki can be explored.

The popular Nesian Talks – introduced in 2021 are back too, with an opportunity to hear Pasifika leaders from the community take part in a panel discussion on social impact on cultural identity in Aotearoa. Other events include Stars in Your Eyes, a musical competition for staff and students and Kāinga Rua an event where Wintec whānau prepare meals for Hamilton’s night shelters. 

On 23 July, everybody is welcome to Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae for Pō Maumahara, a very special closing event of reflection and remembrance as we reset our sights on the year ahead.

The name Horahia translates to a display of many and is a reference to the seven pou whakarae (pillars) which symbolise the Matariki star cluster (Pleiades) at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae on Wintec’s Hamilton City campus.

The seven pou have inspired an enduring brand, Horahia Matariki to bring together Matariki-inspired events at Wintec.

Wintec city campus is situated in an area called Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa. In previous times this area was revered for its fertile gardens and the production of kai.

Tautari says the Maramataka Māori (the Māori calendar) and the appearance of the Matariki star cluster in June was observed closely to ensure optimum planting, hunting and fishing conditions.

 “Nowadays, the gardens have been replaced at Wintec by the provision of another form of garden, and that is education.”

See the full list of events for Horahia Matariki 2021. 

Find out more about Matariki events in the Waikato.

To enquire about Horahia Matariki 2021, email marae@wintec.ac.nz.

Nau mai e te iwi ki te pō whakamutunga o Matariki!

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