What we do have that is unique to NZ is Matariki, or the Maaori New Year. Usually falling around 21 June, this festival marks the rising of Matariki or the Pleiaides / Seven Sisters in the sky and was traditionally a time of remembering the dead and celebrating new life. Given that this is specifically NZ festival, that also breaks the gloom of mid-winter, why don't we adopt this as a national festival and/or public holiday? It's certainly gaining in popularity among non-Maaori, so why don't we have a few days off in mid-June for this festival instead of celebrating the fact some old queen still hasn't died yet?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Matariki
One thing sorely missing from the middle of the NZ year is a decent public holiday or festival period. In the northern hemisphere, Christmas is obviously the mid-winter festival that breaks up the darkness, cold and monotony of the winter. In NZ, however, the wintry stretch between the first Monday in June (Queen's Birthday observed) to Labour Weekend in October is without a single day where people can kick back and relax (unless of course they take annual leave).
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2 comments:
With such anti-royal sentiments you do not deserve a break in winter at all. Matariki has merit but what could you do in Wellington for a few days in the middle of winter??
Yes - all public holidays should be in the warmer months - it's logical. As for winter, well that's what sick days are for.
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