Matariki
Flax Fingers Weave the Moonlight
Commissioned by the Tauranga Civic Choir and using the work of New Zealand poets, Nigel has composed a work to celebrate the season of Matariki. The premier performance of this work will be performed by the Tauranga civic choir with musicians and friends on Saturday 6 July.
Matariki holds great importance for Māori, however the star cluster is known across the world. It has been used to guide people since the beginning of humankind. Around the world the star cluster has different names, different stories, different mahi and even different numbers of stars. But what ties it all together is that Matariki has been watching over us all, wherever we are in the world.
Matariki was among the stars used to help guide Māori navigators across the great stretches of the moana. Matariki holds clues about the bounty of the New Year and informs us about what the year will be like for planting, harvesting, sailing, working and resting.
In the premier performance of this work the stories and mahi of some of the stars or whetu in the Matariki cluster are explored. The work begins with a traditional opening karakia. In singing this karakia we honour those who came before us and we bless this space.
He po, he po. He ao, he ao.
Takiri mai te ata, korihi te manu
Ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea.
Papaki tu ana te tai ki te Reinga.
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Nigel Williams Musician New Zealand 