Over one hundred people gathered for our Matariki celebrations at the Wairau Bar, making it one of the largest annual Matariki gatherings hosted by Rangitāne o Wairau. Paora Mackie, Kiley Nepia and Tāne Norton sounded the pūtātara signalling the beginning of the ceremony, followed by karanga, karakia and waiata. We paid tribute to our loved ones who have passed over and our rangatahi shared their kōrero on Matariki and the kai source that the stars represent. It was a chilly start to the day but we were soon warmed up with a cooked breakfast and a warm cuppa.