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NGÄ ROHEWAIKATOMATARIKI AHUNGA NUILaughter, love and festivity abounded when Te Puni KökiriWaikato was the major sponsor of ‘Matariki Magic’, atWaikato Museum in Hamilton.Moana Davey, Waikato Museum Concept Leader says while Matarikionce reminded our tïpuna to prepare for the harvest, in modernterms she says ‘that mid-winter marker’ lives beyond the mära andresides in the community.The Te Puni Kökiri Mäori Business Facilitation Service (MBFS)hooked up some of its Waikato clients to promote their businessesand market their products. MBFS clients Ora Skincare, TaanikoNordstrom Clothing, and Kay Patena of Harakeke Creations wereamongst the business stalls in the museum foyer.As Concept Leader, Moana delivers programmes, events andexhibitions for tangata whenua, which ‘expose our community tounique experiences’ and encourage ‘Waikato-Tainui to participatein the museum’.She says Te Puni Kökiri Waikato supported one of only a few ‘MäoriNew Year’ events in Hamilton this year.“In the absence of any other Matariki events in Kirikiriroa, andwere it not for the involvement of Te Puni Kökiri, Matariki wouldnot have happened at all for Mäori and the Waikato community,”Moana said.It was a full house at Waikato Museum, with around 300 people inattendance. A gold coin donation on entry raised $600.00 for theTaiohi Toa-Big Brother, Big Sister Mentoring Programme.Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton mentor programme providesyouth who are at-risk of offending with a structured and supportiveone-to-one friendship with an adult role model. It was establishedin 2003 under Taiohi Toa Trust, in partnership with Hamilton PoliceYouth Development.Photo's courtesy of Waikato Museum and Te Iti Kahurangi.‘Matariki Magic’ featured reigning Tainui Waka Kapa HakaFestival champions Te Iti Kahurangi. Moana said Te Iti Kahurangiperformed a unique bracket based around themes whakapapa,whenua, and mätauranga.“Matariki Magic showed that Mäori are contemporary in theirbusiness approach, but still have their feet firmly planted inthe values set for us by our tïpuna,” says Te Puni Kökiri WaikatoRegional Director Gail Campbell. “Nowadays, Matariki is a time forus to take stock of relationships, our communities, and values. Wecan also do some ground work, pull out some weeds, and we cancultivate some fertile ground for a healthy harvest.”32TE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | KÖANGA / SPRING 2012