Kia ora e te whānau, 

He Tuku Mauri ki a Matariki 

Nau mai, haere mai ki te ahunga o te tau hou Māori. 

I te ata hāpara, ka huihui tātou ki te whāngai i te Hautapu, he tuku kai, he tuku whakaaro, he tuku aroha ki ngā whetū o Matariki. 

Welcome, come and join us in marking the beginning of the Māori New Year. 

At dawn, we will gather to take part in whāngai i te Hautapu, the offering of food, thoughts, and love to the stars of Matariki. 

Date: Wednesday, 25 June 2025  

Time: 6 am – 7 am Location: Pukemokimoki  

Marae Address: 191 Riverbend Road, Maraenui, Napier 

Ngā whakaritenga o Te Hautapu/ Itinerary 

5:55am – KARAKIA WHAKATŪWHEA 

Lead by Kaumatua 

After the karakia to Pōhutukawa and the honouring of the dead, food is offered to the stars. The steam from the cooked food rises into the sky and feeds Matariki. Once this part of the ceremony has been completed, a series of karakia follow. The karakia are dedicated to the different stars in the cluster. 

The wahine then leads Karanga 

Those who wish to participate in this ceremony part of the Karakia and the karanga, please be mindful of the guidance of our kaumatua who will be leading out in this part.   

The Hautapu ceremony allows us to honor those who have passed while celebrating the continuity of life and whakapapa that flows from our ancestors through to future generations. During this sacred time of Matariki, we gather strength from both the stars above and the spirits of those who guide us from beyond. 

During the Hautapu ceremony, we will honor the sacred thread that connects our past to our present by sharing the names of loved ones who have journeyed beyond. If someone dear to your whānau has crossed into the realm of ancestors, please share their name with us. We will add them to our remembrance, allowing us to collectively celebrate their enduring spirit and the imprint they’ve left on our lives. Together, we bridge the worlds, ensuring their memory continues to guide and inspire our community. 

This is a time for our whānau to come together, to remember, and to set our intentions as we move forward under the guidance of Matariki. Your presence would be a precious gift to our collective journey. 

Nāku noa,