Community Kōrero

It’s already June – I don’t know if time has ever gone this fast before. Therefore I am all the more excited and grateful that we are approaching Matariki. Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar, which marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.

2022 is the first year of Aotearoa’s new Matariki public holiday, and to mark this significant occasion a range of groups, schools, marae, hapu, individuals and businesses in our local communities have been working towards co-ordinating a range of Matariki events and celebrations, supporting the community to celebrate and learn about Matariki, Maramataka (the Māori calendar) and Te Ao Māori (the Māori world). 

I recommend taking the time to check out the events on offer, including ‘Featherston Matariki Festival’ facebook page, https://www.greytownvillage.com/ and our local libraries (https://www.wls.org.nz/) 

Set aside some time to reflect, to remember those special to you who have passed, to connect and celebrate with your whanau or community, and make a plan for the year ahead.

June is also the month for Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – National Volunteer Week – which celebrates the collective contribution of all volunteers who enrich Aotearoa New Zealand. “National Volunteer Week Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu” honours the collective energies and mana of all volunteers in Aotearoa. 

This National Volunteer Week we are encouraged to share stories of volunteering, and help reshape mahi aroha for the future. I wanted to take the opportunity to share a little story of volunteering that is close to my mahi. Recently, rangatahi (youth) from the South Wairarapa worked together with the Carterton and Masterton Youth Councils to support and celebrate Youth Week (7-15 May). 

They planned and helped run different events and initiatives to hear from our young community what are their aspirations, favourite places and things to do, and challenges in the Wairarapa. One of these events was a “3 for a Free Sausie” event in Martinborough. 

These rangatahi all took time out from their normally busy lives and helped gather feedback from our young people, and served up sausages, great conversation and lots of smiles in return! We were fortunate to hear from a variety of rangatahi who turned up to the events across the Wairarapa. All the feedback will be considered as the three Wairarapa Councils continue to develop the Wairarapa Rangatahi Strategy review.

If you would like to stay informed about rangatahi (youth) engagement activities across the Wairarapa, be sure to sign up to our newsletter https://mstn.govt.nz/ and/or follow @south_wairarapa_dc ,  @cartertonyouth and @mastertondistrictyouthcouncil on Facebook/ Instagram  

National Volunteer Week 2022 runs from June 19-25. Take some time out this National Volunteer Week to share stories of volunteering and to help reshape mahi aroha for the future of Wairarapa and for our youth!

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