Mānawatia a Matariki! Happy Māori New Year!

We’re in the midst of our Feast Matariki celebrations with events last Sunday in Ōtautahi / Christchurch and Awarua / Bluff. Tomorrow it’s Murihiku / Invercargill and Friday & Saturday in Rakiura / Stewart Island. It’s a huge week for us all. We’re a small not for profit organisation with a big vision and a support crew in the hundreds. I’d encourage you all to consider the connection between Matariki and kai (food). How do we celebrate, uplift and work towards partnership of our food story at this time of year?

I loved this expression of hope or kaikōhau shared by ReoMāori.co.nz and will be adding it to my Matariki celebrations:

Nau mai ngā hua

Nau mai ngā pai

Nau mai kia nui Kia hāwere ai

Welcome all things that have grown

Welcome all things that are good

May they be plentiful and abundant

Wishing you warmth, wellness and deliciousness this Matariki.

Angela Clifford, CE Eat New Zealand.

@eat.newzealand

#KnowYourFarmer #KnowYourFisher #EatNZGrains #GrowFoodCommunities #EatNZKaitaki #RepurposeTheSurplus #LotsOfLittle #Biodiversity #FeastMatariki #MahikaKai

Feast Matariki in the press!

Some great stories have come through over on NZ Stuff and in the Life section of The Press this week - in celebration of our Feast Matariki events throughout the Ngāi Tahu tākiwa. Have a read!

Take me to the NZ Stuff story here.

Join us in Murihiku/Invercargill

Feast Matariki Mahika Kai Workshops Murihiku / Invercargill Thursday 13th July 2023 MC'ed by Dr. Hana O'Regan.

Venue: Mīharo, 28 Don Street

Session Times

12.00pm - 2.30pm: MAHIKA KAI FOR RANGATAHI Designed for Rangatahi - including stories and picture-based learning and narrating for children and whānau.

• Demelza Tarrant of Ruapuke Uncut - Manuka Honey Tutorial
• Keri Milne-Ihimaera – Matariki / Mahika Kai Kōrero
• David Ihimaera – Matariki / Mahika Kai Kōrero

Tickets: Children are FREE with a paying adult. Adults: $10 each.

6.00pm - 9.00pm: MAHIKA KAI WORKSHOP

Evening session as we hear from Mahika kai experts and taste kai including:

• Corey Bragg
• Dan Tarrant
• Steph Blair
• Keri Milne-Ihimaera / David Ihimaera

Kai by Chef Ethan Flack and Chef Haylee Simeon who will also speak to their connections to Mahika Kai.

Take me to the tickets for Murihiku / Invercargill

Feasting for Matariki on Rakiura

Feast Matariki Mahika Kai Rakiura Friday 14th & Saturday 15th July Traill Park, Oban Spread the word to anyone heading to Southland or Rakiura for Matariki this weekend.

We will have two days of workshops and kai celebrations including demonstrations from Mahika Kai experts - Nate Smith and the Davis Sisters where they will show us how to process hapuka and tītī (muttonbird).

There will be a Mahika Kai Dinner on Friday night prepared by Eat NZ Kaitaki - Josh Hunter, alongside Finbar McCarthy and Harriet Owens.

Check out the insanely delicious sounding menu below!

I'm in! See you in Rakiura. Get your tickets here.

#EatNZKaitaki Chefs Ethan & Hayz

Celebrate Matariki with Kai

In celebration of Feast Matariki we found this brilliant story written by Ella Stewart over on Radio New Zealand, which shares what is involved in a hautapu ceremony and how to have your own celebration at home this Matariki.

"As the Māori new year approaches and the rising of the Matariki star cluster graces the eastern horizon, it is a good time to think about what you and your whānau will be doing to celebrate, and to remember those who have passed away.

This year's theme, 'Matariki Kāinga Hokia' (Matariki calls you home) encourages everyone to return to their whānau and their people..."

Read the full story here.