Matariki feast recipes
Ngā mihi o te tau hou! The rise of the star cluster Matariki signals the start of the Māori New Year. Check out these recipes to celebrate with your whānau.
Ngā Mata o te Ariki, more commonly known as Matariki, is the Māori name for the star cluster Pleiades which is visible at a specific time of the year, usually June/July.
Matariki is traditionally a time to get together to share kai harvested from past seasons. Four of the stars in the Matariki constellation are connected to food:
- Tupuānuku – this star is related to food grown in the ground.
- Tupuārangi – food which comes from the sky and trees.
- Waitī – food from rivers, streams and lakes.
- Waitā – food which comes from from the sea.
Matariki feast recipes
Lamb chops, fry bread, baked honeyed kumara, smoked kahawai dip or coconut raw fish — which one will you try first?
Balsamic rosemary lamb chops
Rich and flavourful balsamic rosemary lamb chops are the low and slow kai you’re whānau will fall in love with! Infused with aromatics and with minimal prep, this fork-tender meal is worth waiting for. Serve with a side of rice tossed with pesto and grilled garlic sprouts and broccoli.
Serves 4
4 hrs
Paraoa parai / fry bread
No celebratory Matariki feast is complete without Maori fry bread! Crispy and golden brown on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside – these fry breads are pure heaven in dough form. Serve alongside your favourite meals or with some delicious dips.
Serves 1
35 mins
Baked honeyed kumara and potatoes
This honeyed kumara & potato dish is so moreish we guarantee you’ll be running back for another serve! It’s the perfect accompaniment for your Matariki feast or any and every dinner. Tied to food harvested from the ground this meal is connected to the Matariki star Tupu-a-nuku.
Serves 4
45 mins
Smoked kahawai dip
Showcasing the best of our kai moana, this smoked kahawai dip is a bowl of absolute deliciousness! Perfect for any occasion and even better for your Matariki feast. This dip connects to the star Waita present in the Matariki cluster. Waita is connected to the food that thrives in our oceans.
Serves 1
15 mins
Coconut raw fish
Fragrant, fresh and so easy to prepare, this coconut raw fish is a total showstopper. With a bit of magic the juice of the lemon will essentially cook your fish, making this dish a real time saver. You can use any white fish for this meal, tarakihi, snapper, gurnard or even tuna will work a charm. This recipe is featured in our Matariki Feast recipes.
Serves 4
30 mins
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What is Matariki?
For many iwi Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. It’s a time of renewal and celebration, a time to reflect, plan ahead and enjoy delicious meals with whānau and friends.
The 9 stars and their significance
Māori legend has is that the nine stars of Matariki are in fact the mother, Matariki, and her eight daughters that surround her in the night sky.
Matariki
The mother of eight stars, Matariki is the symbol of reflection, hope and our connection to our environment
Pōhutukawa
Pōhutukawa – connects us to our ancestors and to those who have passed on.
Tupu-ā-nuku
Tupuānuku is connected to food that grows in the ground.
Tupu-ā-rangi
Tupuārangi is connected to food that comes from above, the skies and the trees.
Waitī
Waitī is tied to food that is sourced from our freshwater bodies like lakes.
Waitā
Waitā is tied to food that is found in the ocean – like seafood commonly known as kai moana.
Waipun-ā-rangi
Waipun-ā-rangi is connected to the rain that helps crops to flourish.
Ururangi
Ururangi means ‘winds of the sky’. This star determines the winds for the coming year.
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Hiwaiterangi is the youngest of Matariki’s tamariki (children). She’s a wishing star and connects us to our hopes and aspirations for the year ahead
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