Opinion:
We will be celebrating Matariki as a public holiday for the first time next year, but it must become more than just an excuse to let off fireworks.
The rising of Matariki, or Puanga, was an environmental indicator for our tīpuna and how they would plan and manage their maara kai (food gardens). Matariki is a part of our whakapapa, taught to us by our ancestors and used as a guide to help us listen to the environment, from our mountains to the forests, from our rivers and out to the ocean; the environment is all connected.
This ecological wisdom reminds us that human beings are part of the natural world and that that world is finite. Unlimited economic growth is not only counter to that wisdom, but also destructive to the environment and ultimately to ourselves.
Matariki is an opportunity for us all to reflect on how we connect with, and are a part of, the environment. One of the best ways to start this kōrero is with our tamariki in our schools. With the curriculum under review this year, this is the time to ensure we prioritise and centre the environment in our teaching of science, social studies, history and te reo Māori.