Mānawatia a Matariki!

Kia ora e te whānau!

As Matariki approaches, we wanted to have a kōrero around this beautiful holiday and provide some resources for your Matariki kete. We are also thrilled to officially unveil our special edition Matariki-inspired hoodies featuring a tino design by our ātaahua ringatoi (beautiful artist) who also did all of our branding and website! This newsletter highlights the creativity and significance behind this taonga and includes an exclusive interview with the talented artist who gave it life. Wishing you and your whānau a safe Matariki with some delicious kai and lots of aroha.

Ko Aotea me Te Arawa me Tainui ngā waka
Ko Ngāpuhi me Te Arawa me Te Atiawa Taranaki ngā iwi
Ko Ngāti Rangiwewehi me Ngāti Pikiao ngā hāpū
Ko Brittany Davies toku ingoa

Britt has been in the design industry for a decade specialising in brand identity, illustration and Mahi Toi (Māori design). Tauranga born and bred, she slowly ventured further and further south – first to Pōneke, and then to Wānaka in 2019, earlier this year she bounced back up to Te Whanganui a Tara and now calls Kāpiti home. Britt has worked agency-side as well as in-house at TradeMe, and ran her own studio from Wānaka for 3.5 years. Britt has collaborated with like minds and worked on a range of projects from the rebranding of Lake Wānaka Tourism to the collaboration with Pōneke’s Five and Dime to rebrand Your Way | Kia Roha. Britt is now a freelancer, working with tangata throughout the motu. 

Q&A;

Tell us about your inspiration behind the designs for our Matariki themed hoodies.

Like any kaupapa, I start with the intention of the piece—who is it for and what purpose does it serve? For this piece in particular I knew it needed to honour traditional form but wanted it to hold it’s own simple style. Thinking about the whakaaro behind Dear Rubes as a brand, the concept of giving back and eternal cycles kept coming forward, this was the spark for me. 

What cultural elements did you incorporate into the designs?

The circular shape on the back is a metaphor for the continuity of cycles, illustrating the concept that there is no real beginning or end, eternal and open-ended——being in touch with the seasons, community and ourselves. The notches represent a constant forward momentum—we can better move forward if we acknowledge and respect the past. The mangopare and koru relay the importance of being and working together in harmony and balance.

Matariki sits at the centre. A guide to remember to check-in with where we are at, to reflect and reset.

The patterns on the sleeves are a manawa line, symbolic of the heart beat, a life line flowing out through our ringaringa and connecting with others. 

How does your Maori heritage influence your artwork?

How much time do you have? All jokes aside, like many I’ve met on this journey, it’s difficult to explain this in a simple answer. It’s taken me 33 years to unpack and allow myself to stand in my power in a way that honours all sides of my heritage; Māori, Welsh, Scottish (being the main three). However, during the last 20 years of self-discovery I have leaned into my Māori whakapapa to help navigate, explore and understand the world. My way of expressing this is through mahi toi, it’s just one tool in the toolbox of which I am learning and adding to all the time.

What significance does Matariki hold for you personally and how did this influence your designs?

As Matariki was never celebrated in my whānau growing up, it's been a new concept to me that I’ve learnt to embrace more and more over the last 10 years, finding how I can integrate these traditional concepts into my life. For me it’s about whānau, about connection and about navigation—reflecting back on where you’ve been to help steer where you are going. It’s about acknowledging those that have passed, acknowledging them and letting them rest.

I find that by setting intentions about what this time is for and placing my energy on that enables me to be present and grateful—reminding me to reset and touch base with my compass mid-year. This year I am reflecting on how far I’ve come in the last year, all those who helped get me through some tough times and also the grieving and loss of ideas, concepts and visions I had, being at peace and laying them to rest as well.

How does this influence my designs? Like any life experience, this adds to the layers that come out in visual languages—from the way I connect with other people, to the way my pen hits my ipad.

What message or feeling do you hope people get when they wear your design?

A sense of pride, an ability to remain centred, and an empowered feeling that your Tīpuna have your back.

Do you have any advice for aspiring Maori artists who want to follow in your footsteps?

I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions This whakatauki refers to the need for creative thinking, adaptability and perseverance. In order to solve a problem you need to have all of these. The journey I’ve been on hasn't been easy and I don’t imagine that it is about to magically change—but in moments of doubt I pause, recollect my intentions and keep stepping forward one foot at a time. Don’t look at those next to you for comparison, we are all on the same Poutama—on this journey together—but we are all at different stages of that journey. Keep checking in with yourself, ask for help when you need it from those more knowledgeable, don’t be deterred by naysayers, take time to listen and learn when you need to, stay humble and keep an open mind. You are special and your taonga are needed in this world.

We are forever grateful for Britt her mahi and perspectives, we couldn't be where we are today without all her help. Ngā mihi nui Britt.

If you'd like to learn more about Matariki and check out some facts, events and resources head over to https://www.matariki.com/about

Some of my favourite Matariki buys;

• Whatu creative is selling a Matariki tukutuku kit I'll be working on my one next week when daycare is back on!
• The Matariki Teacher Talk puzzle is ātaahua (beautifully crafted) and great for kids!
• Gavin Bishop's book Matariki is also ka rawe for the tamariki!
• My mariu Kuki Reka Kani - Matariki Star (cookie cutter) are useful year round. If you're not a baker get your tamariki to make playdough pihikete whetū!
• He Pihikete Whetū (Star Biscuit) recipe here.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating Matariki and supporting Māori artistry. We hope you enjoy learning about the rich cultural significance woven into our special edition hoodie. Until next time, stay connected and inspired. Kōrero anō e hoa mā!

Ngā mihi nui,

Dear Rubes.