11 Jul 2018

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A planting ceremony to celebrate Matariki is a return to grass roots rituals and traditions.

The ceremony, which will begin with a karakia (Maori prayer), is being held at the rongoā (medicinal plants) garden, at Styx Reserve on Marshland Rd from 7am this Sunday, 15 July.

Tree planting is a symbol of new beginnings making it a fitting way to mark Matariki, which celebrates the rise of a cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades in mid-winter. The occasion heralds the start of a new year in the Maori calendar.

Rongoā practitioners, including Aperahama Kipa, will lead the planting, which is followed by a hui where some kai will be shared and plans will be discussed for the coming year.

Mr Kipa, who is a traditional Maori healer or tohunga, says Matariki is a time when people can come together and look back at the previous year, remember friends and family members who have died, and also look ahead to the future.

The rongoā garden is significant because it is planted with native trees and shrubs that can be used medicinally by people with expert knowledge. They include koromiko (hebe), harakeke (flax), horopito (pseudowintera colorata or pepperwood) and kanuka (white tea-tree).

“The garden has been a vision for my aunty who was a healer and we’re trying to carry on her vision and keep this tradition going so we can leave a legacy. We’ve been out there planting for the past few years and we’re trying to create a natural forest that will be our mahinga kai (food resource).

“The dawn planting is about greeting the Matariki and bringing in the New Year by planting and looking after the whenua (land). It’s about reconnecting and getting family together, sharing ideas and making sure we’re all on the same path.”

People planning to attend the dawn ceremony should bring a head- torch and a plate of food to share.

A second planting event at the garden will be held from 10am (meet at 303 Radcliffe Rd) when 500 native trees and shrubs will be put in the ground. This is suitable for families but warm clothing and sturdy footwear is recommended.  There is a 10 minute walk into the site and a hangi lunch will be provided afterwards.

Council Regional Parks Acting Manager Paul Devlin says the ceremony is important. "It's an occasion where people can get together in a meaningful way and achieve something valuable by planting new trees and shrubs in one of our parks. The rongoā garden is an excellent example of Council staff and members of the community working together with a common goal."