Kia ora koutou katoa, nga mihi mahana ki a koutou i tēnei taima Matariki

Greetings to you all, warm acknowledgements this Matariki season.

I hope everyone is managing the winter months so far, it has been a busy term! I have been on a journey to learn a bit more about Matariki. I would like to share with you what I have learnt and encourage you to enjoy the many events that are available around the region with your families.

Matariki is a star cluster in the sky and its arrival has a wonderful meaning, a time to spend with whānau (family), and friends, to reflect on the past year, and to look to new beginnings. Traditionally, families gathered to commemorate Matariki and remember their ancestors. They built ritual fires, ate together, told stories, sang songs, and played music.

This is still the case. Matariki is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and wish for a prosperous future, hoping for a full kete (basket). It is also an excellent time to discuss and teach about culture and history.

There are many Matariki events in the Upper South, but if you are unable to attend any, here are four ideas for celebrating Matariki at home; 

• Enjoying a mid-winter feast with family or a neighbourhood pot-luck event.
• Light a candle to reflect on the past year or to remember loved ones.
• Try stargazing, enjoy looking at the stars with friends and family – can you spot Matariki?
• Plant a tree or prepare your veggie garden for new planting.

SUPPORT

I want to thank all our liaison people who run our support groups, it’s not always a straightforward process to get people together on a mutual date and time, but I’m so pleased we have groups in all of our region now. Please let us know if you have any ideas of what we can do to bring people together in a world where our time is precious and busy.

I really enjoyed being able to attend a Westport support group this term. It’s such a privilege to share your ups and downs and offer support if I can, but also to be encouraged by the support you all offer to each other. I look forward to joining others around the region when I can.

Nelson Coffee Group

Every second Monday of the month, excluding school holidays.

Next meeting: Monday 14 August, 10:00am at Tahunanui Community Hub, 55 Muritai Street

Please join our private caregiver facebook group below to keep updated with support groups as they occur, sometimes it is difficult for our liaisons to have confirmed dates in time for our snippets cut off.

TRAINING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Look out for our brand new module coming out in September called Right from the Start. I look forward to delivering this face to face in Nelson, you will be the first region in the country that this training is delivered to, so please join us and let us know what you think. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3tejp5fe 

I will also be facilitating Making Changes – Stability in Hard Times online over 2 sessions on the 22nd and 24th of August in the evening (Register here: https://tinyurl.com/49vmwzr8). There are a number of online sessions available now and sometimes it’s nice to see a different facilitator and caregivers from around the country to engage with, so try it out.

To explore our training opportunities and to register, click below.

events

I have taken the opportunity to participate in a couple of professional development events in the last few months and I am collecting some ideas on how best to bring some nice events to our caregiving whānau this year. We have a great committee but a big area to cover so watch this space!

Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!

Denise