Celebrating Matariki Through Dance

Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration, marked by the rising of the Pleiades star cluster. The stories and traditions surrounding Matariki have been passed down through generations, recently culminating in its recognition as an official New Zealand public holiday. As our country continues to embrace and understand its history, familiarising ourselves with these stories is vital to our national identity. These narratives hold great significance and become even more captivating when expressed through a creative medium like dance.

This year, the New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) brought the story of Matariki to life at the College with their performance of ‘Matariki for Tamariki.’ The show was as entertaining as it was informative; providing an outside-the-norm educational experience that beautifully intertwined dance and Māori culture, offering students a deeper understanding of both.

The dance students were particularly engaged, as the performance featured NZDC dancer, Isope ‘Akau’ola, who had previously worked with Year 13 students alongside Katie Rudd on a piece titled ‘Versus’ for the YouDance Festival and the school's upcoming Dance Showcase.

“For our dance students, the focus of the show was educational and hopefully inspirational,” Head of Dance, Geordan Wilcox, explained. “We wanted to make clearer connections for them to the wider dance community and to understand and appreciate the significance of the New Zealand Dance Company. Seeing dancers they have learned from onstage performing is also a great connection and hopefully inspirational.”

‘Matariki for Tamariki’ not only illustrated the story of Matariki through dance but also demonstrated how dance can serve as a narrative medium. This was particularly beneficial for senior dance students working on NCEA assessments, as it provided a practical example of narrative choreography and choreographic techniques that they could incorporate into their own creative processes.

The Year 11 dance students, who are exploring Māori themes and art for their assessments, found the performance to be a source of inspiration. “Seeing how professional dancers interpret and express these themes through movement helps students understand the depth and potential of their own choreographic work,” noted Geordan.

Additionally, the performance was a valuable learning experience for Year 10 Te Reo Māori students, who are studying Matariki and preparing for an assessment on its significance. The integration of dance and Māori culture provided a dynamic way for them to connect with their studies.

The multifaceted and enriching ‘Matariki for Tamariki’ was the perfect amalgamation of both dance and Māori culture. By witnessing professional dancers in action, our own students were inspired to push the boundaries of their own creativity and deepen their appreciation for Aotearoa’s rich cultural heritage.