Matariki 2023 A National Holiday 14 July 2023

Honoring The Past, Celebrating the Future

The sight of the Pleiades star cluster returning to our skies in winter marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. It is a time when we gather together to acknowledge and celebrate the past, present, and future.

For further information on our newest and oldest public holiday check out Matariki.co.nz, your go-to resource for all things Matariki in New Zealand!

We have copied below Inspiring Matariki Quotes from Matariki.co.nz.

1. “Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei.” – Pursue that which is precious, and should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain.
2. “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.” – What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
3. “Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me maunga teitei.” – Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.
4. “He waka eke noa.” – We are all in this together.
5. “Whakapau kaha ki te ao!” – Be strong and face the world!
6. “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.” – Walk backward into the future with your eyes fixed on the past.
7. “Ka mua, ka muri.” – Walk in the footsteps of those who came before you and those who will follow.
8. “He piko, he taniwha. He piko, he taniwha.” – For every bend in the river, there is a guardian spirit.
9. “Whāia te mātauranga, ka tītiro whakamuri ki ngā huarahi whakamua.” – Seek knowledge from the past, and look forward to the paths ahead.
10. “Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu.” – Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly.
11. “Whakarongo ake au ki te tangi a te manu e karanga ana; ko tōna waiata, he waiata aroha, he waiata tūturu.” – I listen to the cry of the bird calling; its song is a song of love, a song of unity.
12. “Whakataka te hau ki te uru, whakataka te hau ki te tonga.” – Calm the winds from the west, calm the winds from the south.
13. “He iti hau marangai, e kore e ngaro.” – A little storm will not make us disappear.
14. “Ka mua, ka muri… whakarongo ake au ki te whakatangi a te Mātui o te rangi; he manu whakarere i te tangi.” – Walk in the footsteps of those who came before you… I listen to the song of the Bellbird in the sky; a bird soaring and singing.
15. “Tūī tūī tuia.” – Unite, unite, bind together.
16. “Tukuna te wairua o Matariki kia rere ki te ao, kia whakakaha i ngā ngākau katoa.” – Let the spirit of Matariki fly into the world, strengthening all hearts.
17. “Ko te whakatipuranga o Matariki, he whakapūmau i te rangimārie me te whakakotahi.” – The purpose of Matariki is to establish peace and unity.
18. “Hei whakakaha i te tinana, te hinengaro, me te wairua ki te whai i ō tātou moemoeā.” – Strengthen the body, mind, and spirit to pursue our dreams.

19. “He mātai whakamōhio, he kaiako i te ara whakamua.” – Be a learner, a teacher on the path forward.
20. “Whāngaihia te ara whakapakari a ngā uri whakatupu.” – Nourish the pathway of growth for future generations.
21. “Kia whakarongo, kia whakaaro, kia whai korero.” – Listen, think, and speak.
22. “Whakaritea te ara i te pae tawhiti, kia tūtuki ai ngā moemoeā.” – Prepare the path to the distant horizon, so dreams may be achieved.
23. “He ao te rangi ka uhia, he ngahere te wānanga ka whiwhi.” – As the sky is covered with clouds, knowledge can be found in the forest.
24. “Whakarongo ki te reo o te tangata, ki te whakarongo ki te ao.” – Listen to the voice of the people, to listen to the world.
25. “Whakapau kaha ki te whai i te ao hurihuri.” – Be strong in pursuing the ever-changing world.

May these inspiring Matariki quotes illuminate your path and fill your heart with hope, wisdom, and the spirit of Matariki.