This weekend Aotearoa celebrates Matariki. It’s now been five years since we instated the Māori new year as a national public holiday, the first time that’s happened in the whole world, which is pretty cool. We’re a looooong way from ‘solving racism’ down here in our little corner of the world, but this little step is something we can be proud of. Yesterday I got up super early and went to the Hautapu-Ā-Motu, the official national hautapu (a ceremony to welcome the start of the new year) at dawn.

One of the things I love about it is that it’s specifically meant to be an occasion for everyone. Chief advisor Mātauranga Matariki, Professor Rangi Mātāmua says he wants to make sure everyone who calls Aotearoa home can see themselves in the celebration of Matariki.

Five years ago, I knew nothing about Matariki so I bought some childrens’ books to learn. My favourite was this one:

Because the Matariki star cluster is known around the world by different cultures using different names. Like the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. Or in Japan - Subaru.

When I went to Sydney in April, I went to the Art Gallery of NSW, and was really struck by this gorgeous image, and then even more so by the explanation:

This painting reflects the songline of the Seven Sisters.
Protecting a young sister from the advances of an old man, Wati Nyiru, the group of sisters run together across the APY Lands. In a final attempt to evade him, the sisters become stars in the night sky, where they still shine today as the Pleiades constellation. The Ken sisters' deep knowledge of this subject allows each artist's hand to merge seamlessly with the others, creating a pulsating image of Country.

There they are again.

Anyway, one of the things that struck me about how to celebrate Matariki is that these are all clear winter traditions. Gathering together to celebrate with your friends and family in the cold, dark, fallow season, and thinking about the people who have passed away in the previous year, and then thinking and planning for the year ahead. It made me realise for the first time that when you live in the Southern Hemisphere, even your calendar has been colonised. Singing Auld Lang Syne when it’s 30 degrees outside in the middle of summer makes absolutely no sense.

The hautapu was held at Takaparawha (Bastion Point) — which is really special in and of itself. The land we were invited onto to celebrate yesterday was the site of a 506-day occupation, in protest at the Government’s intention to sell the land, and land rights in general. It came to brutal end when the Government sent in hundreds of police and military to evict the protestors. But it was also an incredible turning point. You can read some personal stories about it here. It feels really amazing that Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has so much grace to say to everyone, “you’re welcome here”.

So, wherever you are in the world this weekend, Mānawatia a Matariki.

more good stuff

• speaking of celebrating and looking ahead — this time next week my baby will be live and out in the world. Follow Lume on instagram to see some of our first artists posting at the moment about what they’re bringing to Lume and why, and if you love me, buy a Lume next Friday — we’re just getting started but I think you’ll love what we’ve made.

• two weeks ago we talked about genAI and fanfiction. Over at Fansplaining, Kayti Burt has done a great deep dive.

• a good post that sums up my whole deal:

• via Clive Thompson’s excellent newsletter, Austin Bell’s project to photograph all 2,549 outdoor basketball courts in Hong Kong.

finally, in my lego city

Miriam pointed out recently that with the weekly close-ups of what’s going on in the lego city you lose sight of the scale of the whole thing, so to celebrate the new year, here’s Min inspecting the city last night.

Forward this email to someone and wish them a happy Matariki.