Matariki Dawn Blessing
At 5.30am on Wednesday, 24 June invited guests from the four council regions arrived at Auckland City Council's Civic building in the heart of the city to attend the Matariki dawn blessing.
The morning heralded the arrival of the first day of Matariki, the Maori New Year. Guests were escorted up to the 18th floor and were welcomed by the call of the karanga.
Whilst facing the north western horizon Ngati Whatua kaumatua Takutai Wikiriwhi performed the blessing ceremony. While low cloud cover masked the horizon, preventing the sighting of the Matariki star cluster, guests were treated to a spectacular sunrise.
Rewi Spraggon, Matariki Festival spokesperson, talked of the many ways that Maori tribes throughout the country approached the arrival of Matariki.
Following the formalities, guests enjoyed a shared breakfast.
