Staff Reporter
Wellington, July 10, 2021
The government has announced the dates for the new Matariki Public Holiday for the next 30 years (2022-2052) on July 8, 2021 in partnership with the Matariki Advisory Group.
The first public holiday to celebrate Matariki will be on Friday, June 24, 2022.
The government has committed to ensuring Matauranga Maori is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday, and it will be a time for (1) Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki (2) Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have (3) Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year.
https://youtu.be/R1s0YcQmb5Q
Meaning and Concept
Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Nga Mata o te Ariki Tawhirimatea’ (‘The Eyes of the God Tawhirimatea’) and refers to a large cluster of stars, also known as the Pleiades.
The predawn rising of Matariki in the midwinter sky marks the changing of the seasons and the beginning of the Maori New Year. Some iwi recognise this time of year by the appearance of Puanga, also known as Rigel. There are also regions where the setting of Rehua, also known as Antares, is used to identify the change of seasons.
A Matariki public holiday will be our first public holiday that recognises Te Ao Maori.
For employers, the celebration of Matariki will be considered a standard national public holiday. For more information on how this may impact your business and the steps that need to take, please visit the Employment New Zealand website (www.employment.govt.nz).
https://youtu.be/hxCPjqD81eg
The Matariki Advisory Group
The Government established a Matariki Advisory Group to determine when and how Aotearoa will celebrate Matariki together as a Public Holiday from 2022.
The Group brings together recognised experts from across Aotearoa, who have deep knowledge and understanding in both Te Ao Maori and Matauranga Maori, associated with Matariki and the Maramataka (Lunar Calendar).
Dr Rangianehu Matamua has been appointed as the Chair, who will lead the Group alongside members: Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Rereata Makiha, Victoria Campbell, Dr Pauline Harris, Dr Ruakere Hond and Jack Thatcher.
The Group is providing advice to Ministers on (a) date for a Matariki public holiday over the next 30 years (b) how best to celebrate Matariki, and (c) what education and community resources are needed to improve understanding and knowledge of Matariki across Aotearoa.
The Group is leading engagement with Maori, Pacific peoples and other interested parties about how the Matariki public holiday should be celebrated.
Te Arawhiti and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment are providing joint secretariat support to the Group.
Matariki Holiday Dates: 2022: June 24; 2023: July 14; 2024: June 28; 2025: June 20; 2026: July 10; 2027: June 25; 2028: July 14; 2029: July 6; 2030: June 21; 2031: July 11; 2032: July 2; 2033: June 24; 2034: July 7; 2035: June 29; 2036: July 18; 2037: July 10; 2038: June 25; 2039: July 15; 2040: July 6; 2041: July 19; 2042: July 11; 2043: July 3; 2044: June 24; 2045: July 7; 2046: June 29; 2047: July 19; 2048: July 3; 2049: June 25; 2050: July 15; 2051: June 30; 2052: June 21
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