As the stars of Matariki rise, so do the aspirations of our tauira here at UC. Matariki is seen as more than just a date on the calendar, it's a sacred time of reflection, renewal, and reconnection for our hauora. Maddie from Lads got the chance to sit down and have a kōrero with Wairaamia and Tāmati from Te Akatoki. They shared the importance of Matariki as a cultural celebration, but also as a kaupapa of healing and grounding, becoming a vital anchor point for students navigating academic pressures, distance from whānau, and the changing seasons.

For many students, the term break doesn't always mean time with whānau. Te Akatoki supports tauira in coming together to celebrate Matariki in their own individual ways. “It’s about holding and providing a space physically with the whare, but also mentally and emotionally,” shared Wairaamia. They shared how events such as the Matariki Mā Puaka Night Market, held at the end of last semester, allowed many students and whānau to come together. It was an awesome, vibrant evening of kapa haka, live music, kai, and celebration, with the support and collaboration of many groups inside and outside of UC. It was a huge success, with hopes to grow this kaupapa for next year.

Matariki offers an invitation to slow down. As students may face the mid-year slump, or mid-winter blues, as Tāmati shares, Matariki brings warmth, ritual, and renewal. We may feel pressure during this period, so it is important to “reflect on the past year, find strength for the journey ahead, practice gratitude, and ground yourself.”

Both Wairaamia and Tāmati shared how Matariki is used to reflect on their own hauora through personal stories. It offered them a moment to reconnect, to honour and remember those close to them who have passed. They reminded us that healing doesn't happen in isolation, it happens through collective care, kai, and grounding ourselves in the whenua.

A practice Wairaamia highlighted in her kōrero was her very first hautapu, a sacred early-morning offering of kai to the whetū of Matariki. This ceremony was an experience of reflection, weaving together gratitude and goal-setting for the future. These practices are more than tradition, they are tools of hauora, where participating in these rituals reinforces cultural identity, spiritual balance, and resilience.

As the kōrero came to a close, a whakataukī was shared that captured the kaupapa perfectly.

"Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau hou."
When Matariki arises, so do the aspirations of the horizon.

This whakataukī reminds us that the stars of Matariki guide not only our reflections but also our vision for the future. As we tauira return to study, the challenge is to carry the mauri of Matariki with us, to plan, and to support one another.

To all tauira, Māori and non-Māori, let this time remind you of the strength of your whakapapa, the power of collective care, and the importance of self-compassion. Whether you celebrate with friends, reflect in solitude, or take part in cultural practices, let this season be a moment to refill your cup.

Ngā mihi to Wairaamia and Tāmati from Te Akatoki for their kōrero and commitment to kaupapa Māori here at UC. Be sure to check out their full kōrero on our socials.

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui,

The Lads whānau.