Mānawatia a Matariki!
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe – Paetūmokai once again comes together to celebrate the rising of Matariki.
Our celebrations and commemorations for Matariki 2025 began with a dawn ceremony, where about 70 people gathered to
welcome Matariki rising. Eight wonderful volunteers gathered around the brightly burning brazier and read karakia for each
of the stars, giving acknowledgement for the fruits of the earth, sky, and waters, and hope for their continued bounty over the
year to come. Wishes were sent up to Hiwa-i-te-rangi, and those of us who have lost someone called out Pōhutukawa to acknowledge their passing.
Thanks go out to our amazing kaikaranga, to Max for sounding the pūtātara, to our Pirinoa whānau for our firewood for the
hautapu and the hangi, also to our fire guardians Pito and Al, to Tui for the star cluster light display, to Erin for the soups, and to all our neighbours who helped with set up and pack down.
