Ngā Ringa Ārahi O Te Whetū Matariki

The guiding hands of the star Matariki. Acrylic mixed media on canvas.

She is the whaea (mother) star of the constellation and a shining guide to her eight children whom she is surrounded by. Matariki represents reflection, hope, and connection to the whenua (land), its environment, health/well-being, and the prosperity of its people.

I aimed to capture her beauty, strength, and grace as she and her children rise high into the skies, signalling the coming of a new year. Her silhouette adorns the skies above the prominent Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Wai maunga of Manaia, eastward of my hometown of Whangārei. I chose this maunga purposefully to illustrate reflection when we are more connected to our whenua.

Personally, I have witnessed the stars rise above this beautiful, strong whanaunga, felt the cold winds atop its peak, smelled the fresh dew drops sprinkled over old and new shoots of the ngahere growing around its zigzagging pathways. This observance allows us to be more open and remain in wonder.

The silhouette of Mount Manaia has also been juxtaposed to appear as though Matariki herself is adorned in kākahu, giving her shape and form, connecting her to the sky and land, to Papatūānuku & Ranginui. Her inner hands serve as an internal compass, gently holding all the whetū together as one moving whānau (family), always fixed to her children as the brightest star of the constellation.