With Matariki’s rise, a look forward

It’s a time of action, a time for change. It’s a time to celebrate the harvest, but also a time to prepare the ground for new plantings in the coming year.

Te reo Māori version

Matariki, of course, is also the name of the group of stars also known as the Pleiades. It’s among the closest star clusters to Earth and one of the easiest to see – it’s comforting to think of those stars watching over us. When they rise each winter, they mark new beginnings.

So as we look to the year ahead this Matariki, what sort of year will it be?

It’s an opportunity to take stock of our finances and take steps to make sure that this time next year, we’re in a more positive situation. It’s time to face up to some of the things we haven’t been able to accomplish and clean out the financial closet. Take debt, for example. So many of us are carrying a lot of debt, and I speak from experience when I say it can be heavy at times. Will we slide further backwards, or will we find ourselves with our debt reduced when Matariki rises next year? Now that’s worth aspiring to.

If you haven’t tried it yet, our debt calculator can chart the quickest way out.

During Matariki, we acknowledge what we have and what we have to give. It’s a perfect time to set goals, make plans for our money and make sure it’s flowing where we need it to. Kind of like making sure the garden is able to grow enough to feed the whole whānau.

So enjoy the celebrations and the new beginnings. I’ll sign off with this fantastic Māori proverb:

Mā te whakaatu, ka mōhio
Mā te mōhio, ka mārama
Mā te mārama, ka ora ai tātou

When we are shown, we come to know
When we know, we come to understand
When we understand, we all achieve wellness

May the starry eyes of Matariki above watch over us in the coming year as we find ways to better our situations – both for ourselves and all those around us.