Matariki is a real taonga. A season between seasons. It arrives between final harvesting of crops from the previous year and planting for the new season ahead. It’s not difficult to see how beautifully this parallels with the spiritual customs of remembrance of those who have gone before and charting a course for the new year – Te Tau Hou Māori (The Māori New Year). Matariki is a celebration that invites us to move from the previous year into the new.
From darkness to light
On Monday 6 July, a group of about 30 West-Auckland based kaimahi made the early morning voyage from Glen Eden up to the peak of Pukematekeo in the Waitākere ranges for dawn karakia. It was the perfect vantage point to spiritually mark the transition from old to new. As the sun rose over the city’s skyline, the movement from darkness to light was no longer a thought, but a visceral embodied experience.
As an organisation that deeply values both Te Ao Māori and faith, we were grateful to Matua Fred Astle (Visionwest Tumu – DCE) along with Billie-Jean and Dustin (Pou Tikanga) for their beautiful leadership of karakia; reading scripture and acknowledging the one who created the stars in the heavens to give us guidance on earth. This morning was a chance to express our losses, gains, pasts and futures to God as the old year passed and the new began.
From past to future
The Matariki movement from past to future ended up being a perfect time to mark another very important milestone: a pōwhiri for kaimahi from Iosis to welcome them as they become part of Visionwest. This special moment happened on the same day, back at our tūrangawaewae, the Glendale campus.
Like us, Iosis has strong faith-led roots amongst Baptist churches, and a deep commitment to Te Tiriti. Their legacy of care spans counselling, family violence, social work, youth mentoring and more. This history stretches back more than 100 years and now continues into the future within the Visionwest whānau.
From isolation to community
Over the following three days, July 7-9, Visionwest Matariki events moved into a community-facing mode. He Hononga Matariki – A Connection Through Matariki consisted of three midday events, held from 10am-2pm, all about supporting and connecting with whānau in the community.
These three days were coloured by plenty of energetic connection but mixed with a comfortable relaxed vibe. On Tuesday, the hearty soup and fry bread got us off to a wonderful start. On Wednesday, our weekly Te Kapu lunch was enhanced and enlarged by the Matariki festivities. It all climaxed on Thursday with special guests from our partners, council representatives, singing groups and many guests from the community all joining together for a special hangi for lunch. All throughout these days, whānau were booked in at various times to visit, join the celebrations, and collect Matariki food parcels, and winter warmers like blankets and PJs.
Heartfelt Gratitude
Special thanks to all the Visionwest kaimahi who put in the hard work to make them a success. We look forward to these celebrations continuing in future years. The combined effect was a deeply meaningful week of remembrance, celebration and – as always – hope.
Over the week, Matariki gave us space to remember, to welcome, and to reconnect. From dawn karakia on Pukematekeo to pōwhiri at Glendale Road, and from shared kai to winter support for whānau, each gathering carried the same hope: that the year ahead would be marked by aroha, belonging, and practical care for one another.
