My last post explored in detail some my thoughts and feelings about not going to Puanga at Parihaka this year.
In the meantime, I was aware that an exhibition titled Ngā Pakiwaitara O Matariki was being created for the Bribie Island Seaside Museum in June 2025. I had connected with the curator and met a couple of the artists, who incidentally had connections to whanau and whenua around Taranaki ❤
When I first met the curator Nina Maika, I suggested we include the video of The Silence: Puanga so the star of Puanga could also be represented.
This was last October and in the meantime, Nina advised that the group had decided to go with the original plan, which was fair enough – I was a bit cheeky to ask 🙂
This had all happened some months before Maata went to the ancestors and I had forgotten about my earlier request.
A couple of times in the past months, I had randomly helped Nina out – by connecting her with the Joondoburri Traditional Owners to consult about the project and to help out with finding a Wharekai (food hall) for the opening tomorrow. Small things – the sort of things you do to support community.
To my surprise, yesterday Nina invited me to contribute the video so Puanga can be included as part of the constellation. Since then I have been overcome with emotion at the incredible synergetic possibilities of it all.
Maata and I had hoped Maata could come to visit me in Bribie Island and I had connected her to Aunty Flo and Michelle Watson, with Michelle coming with us last year to Puanga. Sadly, Maata was never well enough to travel.
So, it is an absolute joy and honour for our work to be included at the Ngā Pakiwaitara O Matariki exhibition alongside 9 phenomenal Māori artists, with each artist representing one of the stars of the Matariki constellation.
Nina says to me ” We have brought Matariki and Puanga to you” ❤ It is something that is truly magical and I still feel very emotional about how the universe works. And as my wonderful husband also reflects “Maata will be here in spirit.” I sense that deeply and it makes me very happy.
And while I contemplate this, a couple of dear friends in Aotearoa and I will gather in our special places to watch the star rise on 7 June. We will head over to Woorim early and hope we will see Puanga. Maata will have to be on the wind that day as she will be called to from all over Oceania 🙂
My Uncle Garry, often uses a quote from Albert Einstein: ‘There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.’
I like to think of the world and all it offers is a miracle. I also believe that when we are working in alignment with our authentic selves and in service to the betterment of places and people then magic is bound to happen. We just need to be open and aware to the possibilities because every day on this planet is a gift.
In deep gratitude for all that was, is and will be ❤
Kua haehae ngā hihi o Matariki
The rays of Matariki are glistening
Tracey M Benson || Bytetime 