Star attraction

2023 New Zealander of the Year Rangi Matamua is a driving force behind our Matariki celebrations.

- AROHA AWARAU

It's ironic that the man credited with creating public awareness about the country's first indigenous public holiday has no time to celebrate it with his own family.

In the past, Professor Rangi Matamua (Tühoe) would gather with his whānau to say karakia and have a meal together. But since Matariki became an official public holiday last year, his hectic schedule has kept him away from home.

As the chief government adviser on Matariki, he says, "These days, because of my role, I'm attending major, elaborately organised karakia and hautapu [dawn ceremonies] around the country." The tireless work and commitment have paid off, though, with Matariki having been embraced throughout the country by Māori and Pākehā alike. A recent survey found that 51% of New Zealanders - more than two million people have done something to acknowledge and celebrate the Maori New Year, which starts when the cluster of nine stars called Matariki rises in midwinter.

Traditionally, it was an occasion to mourn the dead, celebrate the present and prepare the ground for the coming year's harvest. These days, Kiwis take part in cultural ceremonies, from hautapu and karakia, when the nine Matariki stars are first visible in the sky, to organising meals with close friends and whānau.

Matamua's role involves being the cultural expert in all government Matariki initiatives and helping to promote the holiday nationwide. Last year alone, he spent 42 weeks away from his Hamilton home.

This year, his work was acknowledged when he was named New Zealander of the Year ahead of All Blacks legend and mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan, Black Fern Ruby Tui and entertainers Dames Jools and Lynda Topp.

"It's a privilege and honour to find myself in a position to have an influence and support the development of our nation," he says. He was also made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit last year, for services to Mäori astronomy.