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He wā ki te whakatā, ki te whakaata, ki te whakahou.
A time to pause, reflect, and renew.
Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time to remember the past, restore balance in the present, and refocus for the future.
For Bioprotection Aotearoa, it is a season that aligns deeply with our kaupapa: protecting te taiao, strengthening relationships, and advancing science that serves both people and planet.
Through the rising of the Matariki star cluster, we are reminded that knowledge is intergenerational, cycles are sacred, and renewal is part of every ecosystem, including our own.
Our Three-Week Journey
Sharing Matariki through our mahi and values
Each week of our campaign is guided by a core theme — Reflect, Renew, Reconnect — and interwoven with the stories of the nine whetū (stars) of the Matariki cluster.
Week One: Reflect
Pōhutukawa, Matariki, and Ururangi
This week is about remembrance.
We honour those who have passed (Pōhutukawa), reflect on intergenerational knowledge, and acknowledge the spiritual essence of Matariki, the mother star. Ururangi, the star of the winds, reminds us of unseen forces such as change, movement, and the natural rhythms that shape our lives and environments.
Week Two: Renew
Waitī, Waitā, and Tupu-ā-rangi
Matariki is also a time of stillness and replenishment.
This week centres on restoration of ourselves, our work, and the ecosystems we depend on. Waitī (freshwater) and Waitā (saltwater) guide us to care for aquatic environments. Tupu-ā-rangi, connected to life from the forests and skies, speaks to renewal through birdsong, forest foods, and the return of abundance.
Together, these stars call us to restore balance in te taiao.
Week Three: Reconnect
Tupu-ā-nuku, Waipunarangi, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Our final week invites reconnection with purpose, with people, and with the land. Tupu-ā-nuku, the star of cultivated food, encourages sustainable kai systems. Waipunarangi, linked to the rain, reminds us of shared cycles and interconnectedness. Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the star of wishes and aspirations, asks us to look forward, align our hopes with action, and reaffirm our long-term commitment to thriving ecosystems and communities.
Learn More About Matariki
To explore the meaning and mātauranga of Matariki further, visit the official Matariki website · Matariki.govt.nz – The official Matariki site