Jo Raphael: Stargazing gives us the opportunity to practise Matariki principles

Matariki is the Māori new year and is timed with the rise of the Matariki cluster. Photo / File

OPINION

I've always loved staring up into the night, watching the stars and planets.

I look for the Southern Cross and other constellations, all comforting and familiar points of reference in our sky.

It's contemplative, relaxing and it puts my life into perspective.

I often come to the conclusion that I'm not all that important in the context of the universe, but yet I am at its centre (as are we all).

It's mind-bendingly paradoxical, I know, but things often are when trying to comprehend the magnitude of our existence.

It's not often I get poetic and go on philosophical rambles about "the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything".

But when I do, it's after a session of stargazing.

We will get the chance to do this officially every year as the Government announced on Friday – the first day of Matariki – our newest public holiday will always be on a Friday and will fluctuate around June and July. The dates have been set for the next 30 years.

Making Matariki a public holiday was one of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's pre-election promises.

Matariki is the Māori new year and is timed with the rise of the Matariki cluster, bringing the old lunar year (maramataka) to an end and heralding the time to plant new crops.

Rotorua tohunga Mataia Keepa told NZME: "[This year] the knowledge of Matariki has penetrated through the skin of mainstream consciousness in a monumental way."

During a ceremony on Lake Rotorua's Mokoia Island last Friday, attendees were taken to the most eastern point of where braziers were lit and a special umu or hangi was waiting for them.

They then got to witness the rising of the Matariki cluster.

Matariki is celebrated differently by different iwi, but it's traditionally a time for reflection, ceremonies and events that welcome the promise of a new year.

Dr Rangi Matamua told NZME in February, when the public holiday was announced, that was a "celebration remembering those who have passed, a chance to plan for the future, and acknowledgement of environmental surroundings".

I think it's important that we practise gratitude, acknowledge our place in the universe, as Kiwis, and as a planet, and if stargazing can help us do that, then I'm all for it.

I look forward staring up into the sky to mark this important new public holiday next year.