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Let me tell you why I have concerns about a Matariki public event:
1. Let's start with nationalising an event that wasn't actually celebrated by all whānau. Not all of us celebrated Matariki. Some celebrate Puanga (Puaka) instead.
1. Let's start with nationalising an event that wasn't actually celebrated by all whānau. Not all of us celebrated Matariki. Some celebrate Puanga (Puaka) instead.
1. (cont) Also ignoring the fact the dates change and are part of the maramataka.
2. Let's also talk about who tells the story of Matariki. I've had MANY Pākehā try to tell me how to celebrate Matariki recently. You don't get to do that. You don't get to tell us how to celebrate
2. Let's also talk about who tells the story of Matariki. I've had MANY Pākehā try to tell me how to celebrate Matariki recently. You don't get to do that. You don't get to tell us how to celebrate
3. If the reason for having the public holiday is for tourism & the economy then you may be doing it for the wrong reasons. I've seen it already be slapped on items purely to monetise on the name of Matariki. This is a time to farewell our dead, to give thanks and renew.
So it's not just a public event & tbh our nation has a great history of telling our stories incorrectly. We're done having others tell our stories & we're done having one kōrero for all Māori in NZ too. We each have autonomy for our own stories. We don't speak for other whānau
Maybe having the event being in honour of Matariki and allowing space and giving money to our whānau, hapū and iwi to tell their stories.
But also having our own say we're "whining" is such bullshit. We're just highlighting some of the issues. It's not black and white. There is no one way to be Māori. We're a collection of autonomous hapū. You don't speak for our whānau and we don't speak for yours.
