Editorial: Matariki, in the Midst of Mayhem

EDITORIAL | MATARIKI

Written by Hirimaia Eketone (they/them) @hiri_music | Te Ao Māori Editor

Foreword by Liam Hansen (they/them) @liamhanse.n | Editor-in-Chief

Kia ora e te whanau, and a very belated Mānawatia a Matariki! I hope you all had a lovely break, or at the very least made a bit of cash to get yourself through the next semester. This year, Matariki passed on the 20th of June, allowing the past month to be filled with reflection and planning for the year ahead while working on this issue. We’re absolutely stoked to be back on your stands around campus, kicking off with an issue dedicated to Te Ao Māori and the relevance Matariki has to Aotearoa in 2025. 

I’ll let Hiri, our Te Ao Māori Editor, introduce the issue from here - but before I go, I want to give a quick haere ra to our wonderful news editor for the first semester, Evie Richardson! RNZ is lucky to have stolen her from us. I’m stoked to introduce Mila Van Der Plas as our new News Editor - she can be reached at vdplasmila@gmail.com.

Mā te wā! - Liam

Illustration by Stella Roper (she/her) | @dodofrenzy | Arts Editor

Nga mihi nui kia koe Liam, kia ora e hoa ma! 

Ka tahi, a belated Mānawatia a Matariki to all of you. Whether you went up the maunga in the early hours of the morning to see the stars in all their glory or simply enjoyed a little sleep in due to the new-ish public holiday, I hope you’re all using Matariki as an excuse to recover, reflect and renew some energy to get through the rest of 2025. Considering all the intense world events happening nowadays, it feels right to really hone into our wairua in these less-than-ideal times.

For our international student whanau or anyone who isn’t too sure what Matariki actually is, let me give you a quick rundown. Matariki is the official start of the New Year based on the Māori lunar calendar, and is marked when the Matariki constellation graces the skies. There is some debate on the myth attached to the cluster, with uncertainties around whether there are seven stars or nine. If you’re interested in researching the myth more, I highly encourage diving into google and visiting different Iwi information sites. My iwi, Ngāti Maniapoto, celebrates the Seven Sisters, but growing up in Tāmaki Makarau, I heard both. Star count aside, this holiday gives tangata the chance to rest, reflect and remember those who have passed on. An opportunity for celebration, connections and whanau. It’s honestly my saving grace in the year, as by the time Matariki swings around in June, all New Year's resolutions have been squashed and I am usually burnt out. Next time you get a chance, see if you can join any iwi or local community Matariki events, it is such an ataahua time.

On a more sour note, it is hard to enjoy all of our usual cultural traditions and celebrations while the government is actively trying to make our lives worse. Amidst strife overseas, tragedy in Palestine, tension in the US (although, with the orange dictator having the proverbial keys to the kingdom, is anyone truly surprised) our government seems to think the best way to move our country forward is to engage in a rich white circle jerk while starving the rest of the motu. Grocery prices are at an all time high, my faith in humanity is at an all time low, and certain politicians seem to think they live in a completely different century. 

Throughout everything, I try to keep my political opinions as an open space, encouraging korero instead of arguments. However, in recent years it has been difficult to look past the politics that are full of injustice and harmful to our community. I recognise that not all of our readers have the same views, beliefs, or problems, but I implore everyone, no matter what your personal outlook on life is, to look out for the little guy. Oppose bills like the Regulatory Standards Bill that threaten to undo the sacrifices Māori made to get our country to a place of peace. Support movements against companies that are actively funding (or causing) genocide. Korero with those who have differing opinions to you- find out why people vote a certain way and keep your mind open. My Te Reo column Kotahitanga has been introduced this year to do just that, and I thank each and every one of you who has taken the time to listen to me yap.

I don’t know how Liam consistently writes such great editorials. I feel like I just want to korero more and more with all of you, but I’ll save that for my other pieces throughout the issue. We’ve got some great entertainment for you once again- Ricky Lai is back at it AGAIN with some Matariki Movie reccs (if you don’t follow him on letterboxd, you’re really missing out - it’s an absolute highlight for me every time I log a film), new and old contributors alike feature with interviews, opinion pieces and general gossip, I discuss the intricacies of the Aotearoa Music Awards and Dodofrenzy is up in the stars (with a cow..?) 

This issue is stocked full of great pieces, so go ahead and get stuck in. Go on. Do it. Right now. Go. Shoo.

Mā te wa e hoa ma x