Unison supports Matariki celebrations with Ātea-a-Rangi Educational Trust
The Ātea a Rangi Education Trust celebrations for next week
Hawke's Bay's Waitangi Regional Park will come alive next week as Unison Networks and the Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust join forces to mark the Māori New Year with a week-long programme of community celebrations, dawn matariki sightings, and hands-on learning for local tamariki.
The community is invited to Waitangi Regional Park at 6am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for guided morning sightings of the Matariki star cluster, led by the Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust at the foot of the nationally recognised star compass.
On Wednesday, a special event will be held to honour and remember the chiefs of Te Matau a Maui who signed the Treaty of Waitangi. A fitting tribute during a time of year dedicated to reflection and remembrance.
The week will culminate on Saturday with a dawn karakia at 5am to welcome in the Māori New Year, followed by a hāngī bringing whānau and community together in a spirit of reflection, connection, and celebration.
Now in its sixth year of partnership with the Trust, Unison is supporting 16 Hawke's Bay schools to visit Waitangi Regional Park for interactive sessions, giving more than 600 tamariki the chance to engage with mātauranga Māori, learn about the stars and seasons, and explore the connections between the natural environment, resilience, and sustainability. Unison's support extends beyond Matariki week, backing the Trust's year-round educational programme that brings schools to the star compass throughout the year.
Jason Larkin, Group General Manager Customer, Commercial & Regulatory at Unison Networks, says the partnership reflects Unison’s deep commitment to the communities it serves.
“Unison’s connection with Ātea a Rangi goes back to 2016 when we gave retired power poles a second life as they were carved into the pou that form the star compass that stands at Waitangi Regional Park today. This incredible taonga has Unison literally built into it."
"Matariki is a time for reflection, connection, and looking ahead and as a consumer-owned company, we have deep, long term relationships connecting us with the communities we serve. Supporting programmes that help our tamariki understand the natural environment, build resilience, and connect with te ao Māori is a meaningful part of this.”
Piripi Smith of the Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust says the partnership with Unison helps ensure the celebrations are accessible and engaging for the wider community.
“Matariki is about coming together, sharing knowledge and celebrating who we are. With Unison’s support, we’re able to bring schools and whānau into a space where they can learn, experience and celebrate Matariki together. It’s about creating connections that will last well beyond the week itself.”
All community events are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to rug up warm for the early morning starts.