Much more than a public holiday - Celebrating Matariki

So Matariki, a holiday coming up. How lucky are we that we're living in a country where the celebration of an indigenous or Māori milestone is now part of what we do as a country as a total population. We're extraordinarily fortunate.

As we think about what Matariki means, and where it is and how it fits into our calendar and our lives, the good news is that it's actually a chance for us to firstly reflect on the year that's been, the interactions you've had with people, with whānau, with those that you care about deeply. For some of us, we would have lost some of those people, and it's a chance to stop and pause as a whānau group, or even individually, and reflect on that.

And then, equally powerfully, it's an opportunity to think about the year ahead. The time that Matariki occurs -with the beauty of it rising in the east and coming across our sky links to planting, fertility, new growth, new opportunities. There are all kinds of symbolism in there for us all, as families, as work whānau, and as communities.

It’s about taking that opportunity rather than just treating it as a day to sleep in. There are opportunities to think about how you might use it, and my sense is that linking it to those whānau values; respect, reflection, anticipation, and hope are the main parts to focus on.

And gosh, there are so many different ways to approach that latter part, the hope and aspiration. Sitting down for a kai, a meal with the whānau, talking about what's coming up next, all those sorts of things. In the busy world in which we all live these days, to have the privilege of time with people you care about is invaluable, and this is actually a time to do just that. That would be my recommendation.