Matariki 1600K
(New Zealand)
Version No. 1.1
Date last revised: January 19, 2021
©
2024, Iron Butt Association, Sheridan, Wyoming
Please respect our intellectual property rights.
Do not distribute this document or portions therein, without the written
permission of the Iron Butt Association.
Background
This is a New Zealand based ride.
Matariki marks the start of the Māorilunar calendar and occurs when the Matariki star cluster becomes visible in mid-winter.
Matariki takes its name from the Māori name for a cluster of stars. In other parts of the world this cluster is known as the Pleiades, as well as the Seven Sisters (Greece), Mao (China), Krittika (India), Freyja's hens (Scandinavia), and Subaru (Japan).
In Matariki celebrations reverance is paid to nine of these stars, known by their Māori names:
Pōhutukawa, who connects us to our loved ones that have passed on
Tipuānuku, meaning 'to grow in the ground', connecting us to our grown food, espcially like Kumara,
Tipuārangi, is linked to birds and other elevated foods such as fruits and berries from trees,
Waitī, is associated with all freshwater bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters,
Waitā, is associated with salt-water, the ocean and all salt-water life
Waipunarangi, is associated with the various forms of rain that we experience throughout the year as it falls from the sky and washes over the earth, nourishing all living things,
Ururangi, connects us to the different winds
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, is the star to which our dreams and aspirations are connected too. It is to Hiwa that Māori would send their dreams and desires for the year in the hope that they would be realised. - This tradition is similar to wishing upon a star, or a New Year’s resolution.
Matariki signifies reflection, hope, the gathering of people, and our connection to the environment. Matariki is also connected to the health and well-being of people. She is widely known as the mother of the other eight stars that make up the cluster of Matariki.
This ride aims to acknowledge and celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year and some of the fundamental themes that underpin it.
These themes include:
Reflection and remembrance by acknowledging those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki, assisting them on their way to the afterlife by speaking their names during a pre-dawn ceremony called a hau tapu.
Celebrating the present and looking to the future.
The Māori New Year traditionally coincides with harvest celebrations, a time to rest and a time of plenty - celebrated with feasts and thanks-giving.
This ride has a special certificate with a custom design; if you would like to dedicate a note of remembrance to someone who may have passed within the last year, or before then we will happily add a note of dedication to your certificate.
If you are looking for an even more meaingful ride, then consider weaving in some of the various themes tied to each of the stars (above) and perhaps go seeking related places / things to go to; visit them during your ride and then tell us the story of your Matariki ride.
Rules
Based on a standard Saddle Sore 1600K ride, but with the following extra requirements.
Read the rules for the iconic SaddleSore 1000 on the Ironbutt Association site. The rules for this ride are similar and you will get valuable background information.
Documentation: See here.
Definitions
DBR - Dated Business Receipt
A DBR is a machine generated receipt with the date, time and LOCATION on it. Check it - do not assume it is correct. A receipt with an incorrect time/date/location is worthless. Check and re-check.
Fees
Standard Saddlesore fee applies
Nesting other rides
For nesting purposes, this is treated as a standard SaddleSore 1600K.
Merchandise
There is no additional merchandise for this ride.
References
This page uses references to information found on the "The stars of Matariki" webpage page - Te Papa - Accessed June 17, 2024 - https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/matariki-maori-new-year/what-and-who-matariki/stars-matariki.
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