Ka mahuta a Matariki ki te pae,
Ka mahuta o tatou tumanako ki te tau.
Mānawatia a Matariki!
Last night, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies hosted a very special Matariki dinner, welcoming 200 members of the public for a hāngī at Government House Wellington. Joining the Government House chefs to prepare the hakari was Rewi Spraggon, Rex Morgan and their team. The evening featured beautiful musical accompaniment from Tui-Eilish Tahere-Katene, Rob Thorne and Dr Jeremy Mayall.
In her speech, Dame Cindy remarked: “Matariki is becoming a portal to such ancestral systems and knowledge associated with Maramataka, and it is gratifying to see more and more people reclaiming and utilising this wisdom. My wish to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is also that Matariki gatherings will build a greater sense of community and connections between New Zealanders, inspired by a kaupapa that promotes aroha – love and respect; whakamaumaharatanga – remembrance; kotahitanga – unity; and tohatoha – sharing”.
For more photos, click here: Matariki Hakari Media Gallery.
To read Dame Cindy's speech, click here: Dame Cindy's 2025 Matariki address.
To read the Matariki message from HM King Charles III, click here: HM King Charles III Matariki Message.
