“Matariki is a time for us all to gather together and celebrate, reflecting on the past, and looking forward to what the Māori new year will bring. During this time, we can look up into the night sky to see a cluster of stars known to Māori as Matariki.“
“These stars symbolise fundamental ways of living honouring past, present and future, from a Māori perspective.
The kōrero of Matariki vary among iwi across Aotearoa, as the star cluster is seen from different locations, and in some places, certain iwi cannot see the cluster at all. There have been 7- 9 stars acknowledged over time, Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Waipunarangi, Ururangi, Pōhutakawa, Hiwa-i-te-rangi, Waitī, Waitā and Matariki
In this imagining, Matariki drops her daughters to their nanny Papatūānuku for the weekend in Te Whau.”
– Whau the People
What do you think each sister might symbolise in these drawings?
José Barbosa is a New Zealand/Aotearoa born man and long time Avondale local.
He’s done quite a bit of different stuff. He’s worked on TV programmes as a researcher, writer, director and producer. Likewise, he’s made a bunch of online video and worked in radio, producing and doing silly things on-air. What he doesn’t do enough of is draw pictures and he would like to do more, time and survival goals willing.
Welcome to OFFTRACK, a public art destination highlighting the new path between New Lynn and Avondale, known as the NL2A pathway. Just as the name suggests, OFFTRACK is underpinned by a kaupapa of serious play, leading you off the beaten Path.
Thanks to Auckland Transport and Fresh Concept for your support on this project.