Robert McDonald a man all about Matariki and all the customs that derive within te āo māori. He established his own mātai whetu, unfortunate for us in Waimārama he was scoped up this year jst before the appearance of Matariki, by Taramainuku and we left to uphold his teachings.

Twas a cold brisk cloudy morning, and stars were not visible on Hakikino(Waimārama Māori tourist site)-uncle Roberts pride and joy.

Whānau gathered at the Mātai whetu regaurdless, knowing that it would be dark cold and cloudy, but we still went because of our beloved uncle Robert(& knowing we have our own Mātai whetu). Cold and gloomy we recited our karakia, performed our Matariki moteatea and Hakikino Haka.

During our waiata the cold sea breeze and chills came to a halt, almost like the morning had become absolut still.

We knew our uncle Robert was present ā wairua.

Surrounded by braziers aflame sharing the warmth of the fires, our kuia wrapped up in kuikui blankets told us that our uncle was now at one with Matariki.

Karanga, karakia and chats drifted into the skies to celebrate the māori new year, when all chants were completed whānau slowly went back to their vehicles and returned back to the top house(uncle Roberts home) that is like a small museum. There we celebrated with a Matariki parakuihi celebration.

All the whānau that gathered up at Hakakino Mātai whetu greeted each other again up at the top house, as if they didn't just return from the same place.

Karakia was chanted once again to welcome the tau hou Māori and karakia for the beautiful spread of kai that was had by whānau, friends and members of the Waimārama community in celebration of Matariki and the teachings handed down to us by uncle Robert and every Matariki we will return to your Mātai whetu and celebrate Matariki and what you have instilled in us for generations to come uncle.

Ko te aunga o te moe ki a koe uncle.

Matariki whanaunga kore, kua tō ki tōna rua!

Te whakamoenga o te tau!

Te whakamoenga o te mate!

Kua kata te pō, kua tangi te ao.

Ka horo ngā tāpuhipuhi tiketike,

Haruru kau ana ngā papa,

Kua pō a Waimārama!

Te mana o ngā tīpuna, kua riro rā!

Ka tangi ko ngā mōrehu!

Auē, e hika e, te mamae ē!

Nāku iti nei, e kore mātou e wareware.