Waatea News Column: Beauty of Matariki Dawn Celebrations a broadcasting turning point in NZ Pakeha Culture
I believe the Dawn ceremony of Matariki this year represents a unique broadcasting turning point in NZ pakeha culture.
Very rarely do Pakeha approach the Mārae and see or understand the richness of Māori world view. This performance broadcast across the nation changed all that.
Pakeha NZ could see the mana of the moment, hear the incredible oratory of the speakers and graciously by including english subtitles, give a unique insight to the poetry of the speakers.
Set against the drama of the rising dawn, I don;t believe many pakeha would have appreciated the spiritual character of the Māori world view and its total magnificence.
Extolling the sun to rise, prayers to the fallen and the planting of hope, it had a magic and mystery that was spell binding and utterly unique.
At a time of malice and anger towards co-governance, this dawn celebration provided insight into the splendor and treasure of Māori culture in a way that simply has never happened on such a wide and broad media platform.
Matariki is the National Holiday we didn’t know we needed.
It was a privilege to share it.
First published on Waatea News.
I was talking to some pakeha blokes who are fairly business minded and (at least appear to be) unsentimental, and was quite surprised at how much optimism they felt that Matariki could become a national holiday worth celebrating. Way less shrouded in discontent than Waitangi Day and with far more worth than some other statutory days. These were not businessmen that are involved in hospitality so they did not see it as another money making opportunity
Of course this in complete contrast to some of the crusty old comments that will appear with this article. No doubt it’s too much, it’s part of a master plan to divide, and it’s somehow forcing the culture of someone else down our throats, rather than being part of the fabric that should make us New Zealanders, rather than a colonial outpost. Sure its based on legends and mythical tales but good old fashion Christian types should probably be a bit more open to myths (as they base their lives on them).
Yeah summer and winter solstice celebrations are pretty standard.
Fair enough but this is celestial not based on the sun or moon so a slight twist.
Fair enough but this is celestial not based on the sun or moon so a slight twist.
We need to ditch queens birthday to make up for the lack of productivity.
Nah don’t worry about it Maninblack, In fact we should just have another holiday added just for shits and giggles, Productivy, what’s that. God and the gummermint will provide.
Productivity ? Don’t know, National sold us out.
Martyn, you’re conflating the two issues. The sentiment about co governance is not hatred of Maori. It is anger at our political class for undermining our 140 year old tradition of representative democracy for all the people of NZ, unheralded and unwanted.
Hold a referendum on the issue and this all gets resolved.
Like JKs referendum on.selling state assets resolved things?
Didn’t feel to moved by it at all. It felt more like a PR slight of hand to have us all elevate and romanticise Maori culture to soften us up for co governance. I am not softened.
But I had the opportunity a day or two later to look up and see the stars on a clear night and remind myself of their beauty and wonder. I think the stars are not wholly and solely a Maori Toanga yet. Or maybe hey are
An earlier view of Matariki.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19140123.2.69?end_date=31-12-1925&items_per_page=10&page=5&query=Matariki&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1900