Hineuru Hautapu
Ko te ope rua o Matariki ki te rangi, ko Matariki hunga nui ki te whenua
Hineuru Iwi Trust invites you to join, reflect, and celebrate Matariki at this year’s Hineuru Hautapu.
Key details:
- Date: Saturday 25 June
- Location: Te Hāroto Marae
- Time: 5:30 AM | Karakia commences
Matariki is a time for people to gather, honour the dead, celebrate the present and plan for the future. Hence the phrase ‘Matariki hunga nui’ meaning the many people of Matariki. This year the Trust has decided to celebrate Matariki with a Hautapu, a traditional offering of kai made to the Matariki cluster during its first sighting in the early morning around the end of June.
The offering of kai will be prepared in a small hāngī with the appropriate karakia. The whetū and related items of kai are as follows:
- Tupuānuku | Something from the earth, e.g., a kūmara
- Tupuārangi | Traditionally this would be a kererū; however, a heihei (chicken) suffices
- Waitī | Something from the freshwater, e.g., tuna (eel) or trout
- Waitā | A fish from the ocean, e.g., tāmure (snapper) or tarakihi
Another important part of the proceedings is acknowledging those who have passed on. Pōhutukawa is the star that carries the deceased. Please email PC Crawford via pc@hineuru.com if you would like to participate in the proceedings to mention your whānau who have passed or alternative send through their names, and PC will mention them for you.
Hiwaiterangi is then acknowledged. This star carries the hopes, aspirations, and good intentions for the year ahead.
In addition to the Matariki celebration will be the Waipunga Falls gift back. As a part of our Deed of Settlement, the Trust was gifted from the Crown Waipunga Falls, conditional on the agreement that the falls would be returned to the Crown after four years. Due to Covid, the gift back has been delayed; however, it seemed fitting to include the gift back as part of the Matariki celebration.
The Trust sincerely hopes you will be able to join us for this momentous occasion. Keep in mind this is an outdoor event at Te Hāroto, commencing at 5:30 AM. Please come appropriately dressed for the conditions. To RSVP your attendance or for more information, email pc@hineuru.com.
