Photos: How New Zealanders are marking Matariki this year

Female tohunga reciting karakia to one of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster.

Tohunga reciting karakia to one of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster. Photo: Eruera Walker, courtesy of Manatū Taonga

New Zealanders have been marking the dawn of the Māori new year this morning.

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage said the theme for Matariki this year is Matariki kāinga hokia or Matariki calls you home.

Matariki is about celebrating and remembering those people we have lost in the last year, celebrating who we are at the moment, with the festivities and feasting, and also looking to the future and planning for the year ahead.

Mātauranga Matariki chief advisor Dr Rangi Mātāmua said Matariki is a period, not a day.

"Matariki is not dictated by how we celebrate it, but by why we do. It is about remembering the past, celebrating the present and looking to the future.

"This can happen at the top of a maunga, at one of the many incredible events hosted by communities throughout the country, in your living room with your whānau or by yourself, under the stars."

A traditional Māori hongi at the national hautapu ceremony in Rotorua. Photo: Eruera Walker, courtesy of Manatū Taonga

Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime at the national hautapu ceremony in Rotorua. Photo: Eruera Walker, courtesy of Manatū Taonga

The cooking of kai to feed the newly-risen stars at the national hautapu ceremony in Rotorua. Photo: Eruera Walker, courtesy of Manatū Taonga

Hundreds of people gather on Ngongotahā maunga in Rotorua for the national hautapu ceremony.

Crowds at the national hautapu ceremony on Mt Ngongotahā. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson

Hautapu ceremony at the National Wildlife Centre Pūkaha's newly opened educational and cultural complex Te Wānanga Taiao in the northern Wairarapa.

Hautapu ceremony at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre's newly opened educational and cultural complex. Photo: Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

A new marae opened in the northern Wairarapa as part of a wider complex, Te Wānanga Taiao.

Timelapse photo of Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre's newly opened marae where iwi had a dawn ceremony and also marked Matariki. Photo: Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

Tohunga reciting karakia to one of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster on Mt Ngongotahā. Photo: Eruera Walker, courtesy of Manatū Taonga

Te Puia hautapu ceremony at Te Whakarewarewa for Matariki.

Hautapu ceremony at Te Puia in Te Whakarewarewa Valley. Photo: Stephen Parker

Hundreds gather at Te Puia in Te Whakarewarewa Valley for hautapu ceremony to mark Matariki.

Hundreds gather at Te Puia in Te Whakarewarewa Valley for a hautapu ceremony. Photo: Stephen Parker

More photos to come...

source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493706/photos-how-new-zealanders-are-marking-matariki-this-year