Celestial Celebration: A Designers Guide to Matariki
Matariki, the gatherer of people
Matariki is the Māori name for a bright cluster of stars that appears in the early morning sky over Aotearoa in mid-winter. Its rising heralds the start of the Māori New Year, and is a time to reflect on the past and reconnect with your home and whānau (family).
Inspired by this celestial celebration, we have gathered a collection of New Zealand designs and destinations to help you embrace this connection with nature and spending time with loved ones.
Discover more about Matariki here >
— FLOCKHILL LODGE | Night Sky Experience
“Each day that the sun sets behind the mountains we are very blessed to watch the sky darken, and the stars brighten. Our remote location, clear skies and wide-open spaces means we are free from light pollution. Our view of the sky changes over the course of one night, stargazing in the Southern Alps enlightens both the mind and the soul.
The Homestead terrace is the perfect position to be taken on a customised night safari, offering luxurious comfort with a fire pit, hot beverages, open bar, and relaxed outdoor furniture while you discover star clusters, moons, and distant galaxies.”
— FIRESIDE IN QUEENSTOWN | Limited Edition Candle
Light a candle for a sense of occasion. This fragrance is the “perfect escape to reinvigorate mind, body and spirit.”
Glasshouse Fragrances Fireside Queenstown – Smouldering Woods & Cinnamon Soy Candle is a limited-edition candle that captures majestic mountainscapes to the fires flickering flames at night.
Where romance meets adventure, this warm and enveloping fragrance ignites the senses with notes of cinnamon, clove and sandalwood which roar to life with wild orris and rich guaiac wood; a fragrance as intense as a flickering fire, and as comforting as moments of apre ski.
— MILFORD | Outdoor Lounge by DEVON
Reconnect with friends and whanau under the stars, with the Milford outdoor lounge. Designed with clean teak lines and a modern silhouette it’s crafted to reflect Aotearoa’s beauty and endure her elements.
— HIAKAI | Modern Māori Cuisine Cookbook
“A breath-taking account of Māori food – its traditions, ingredients and tikanga – from Monique Fiso a modern-day food warrior, taking Maori cuisine to the world. Hiakai offers up food to behold, to savour and to celebrate.”
Traditionally, Matariki is a time for people to gather together, relax and share the kai (food) that has been harvested and stored throughout the year. So go on, throw a feast for your family!
— NOA | Uhi Tai Blanket
Wrap up under the stars with this 100% New Zealand Lambswool blanket, designed by Josh and Whakaawa Te Kani.
“A representation of resilience and an acknowledgement of our relationship with the natural environment. Inspired by traditional tukutuku (lattice work) and the story of Tirikawa (North Rock), this blanket is woven with 100% New Zealand Lambswool.”
— HOW TO SEE MATARIKI:
Find three bright stars in a line. Māori call these stars Tautoru; they are also known as Orion’s belt.
Next, trace to the left of Tautoru until you come to a group of stars that look like a pyramid. This is Te Kokotā. Finally, if you look to the left of Te Kokotā you will see Matariki.
From the team here at DEVON, we hope you get to make memories and spend time with loved ones under the stars on Matariki.
Join us on Instagram for more inspiration — @devon.co.nz