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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.

4 hrs
Serves 4-6
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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. 

35 mins
Serves
Get the recipe

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. 

45 mins
Serves 4-6
Get the recipe

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.

15 mins
Serves
Get the recipe

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.


30 mins
Serves 4-6
Get the recipe

2 hours 45 mins
Serves 4-6

Lemon and manuka honey fizz
6 hours 30 mins
Serves 4-6

Lamb, kūmara and spinach coconut curry
13 mins
Serves 4

Whole prawns with garlic butter and watercress
15 mins
Serves 6

Great Kiwi creamy seafood chowder
25 mins
Serves 4

BBQ kūmara with avocado salsa
30 mins
Serves 2

Honey and almond baked brie

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 story of Matariki

The full name of Matariki is Ngā Mata o Ariki (Eyes of God) in reference to Tāwhirimatea and the creation of the world. Tāwhirimatea (the god of storms and wind) fought against his brother Tāne Mahuta (God of the forest) who was trying to seperate their parents Rangi and Papa (sky father and earth mother) at the beginning of time. Rangi and Papa were locked in a tight embrace meaning there was no light or life on earth. Tāne Mahuta won the battle to separate their parents and Tāwhirimatea in his pain and anger upon losing, crushed his eyes and flung them up to the galaxy, creating the star cluster Matariki. Now Tāwhitimatea the blind, unseeing god explores the land going in all directions (the wind). 

What is the importance of Matariki in Māori culture

It’s a time to celebrate new life, to remember those who’ve passed, spend time with whānau and friends, and to plan for the future. Particularly of importance to our tūpuna (ancestors), was that they would look to Matariki for guidance with their harvesting as each star has a certain significance over our wellbeing and environment.

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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