Mixed feelings about Matariki celebration

AS someone who grew up under clear Central Otago stars, and was always encouraged to look at the night sky, I have mixed feelings about Matariki as a national holiday.

My dilemma is that Matariki, the cultural phenomenon, steeped as it is in rich Maori tradition and folklore, is not matched by Matariki, the astronomical phenomenon.

From New Zealand, particularly the lower South Island, its dawn rising is an astronomical damp squib.

As a northern star group, Matariki is always low in our northern sky, dimmed by the same depth of atmosphere that chills the midwinter sun, a pale shadow of its appearance from northern midlatitudes where it sparkles overhead like a fistful of jewels.

On several occasions, when pointing it out to visiting northern hemisphere amateur astronomers keen to learn more about its significance, their reaction has been bemusement rather than admiration.

Each of the world’s 197 countries can be ranked according to Matariki’s visibility, using measures such as the maximum altitude it rises to, or the total number of hours in a year when it is visible to the unaided eye. By any of these measures, New Zealand ranks 197th.

While this will not and should not deter promoting Matariki as a cultural event, we should also acknowledge that the case for promoting it as an astronomical spectacle is less than compelling. Martin Unwin

Wanaka

FANTASTIC to hear about Matariki potentially becoming a public holiday (ODT, 8.9.20). It is time to celebrate our unique Maori culture, as a nation.

However, I would like to see an abolition of Guy Fawkes Day. It is time it was replaced with Parihaka Day.

Te WhitioRongomai — a prophet and practitioner of passive resistance.

Guy Fawkes — a rebel and a terrorist.

Both events are marked on November 5. I know which one I want to celebrate.

Carol Sheldon

Invercargill

THE recently suggested addition to the list of public holidays is to be greeted warmly (ODT, 8.9.20).

However, in order to offset its possible impact upon the economy, surely the newer one should replace an older one.

I suggest that the commemoration of Labour Day was overtaken by changes wrought by ‘‘Rogernomics’’ more than three decades ago, when effectively the singleincome family and the 40hour and fiveday working week were abolished.

If that is the case, surely the argument for replacing Labour Day with Matariki could be more strongly presented.

Chaz Forsyth

Opoho

AU contraire, Winston, you are not reading the signs.

Kiwis are celebrating Matariki in growing numbers (ODT, 8.9.20). The timing of a truly Kiwi public holiday is actually perfectly in tune with our being a kind team of five million.

Hospitality, tourism, cultural awareness and identity have rightly come to the forefront of our lives.

I am shamed by your limited vision in this pivotal Maori celebration, and your smoking in Otago University grounds.

Robbitti Stanley

Caversham

Reunion

Wyndham Angling Club: Former members are invited to attend the 125th jubilee at Labour Weekend 2020. To register, email markrule@outlook.co.nz or phone Ron Hunter (03) 2064489.