He’s Māori and he’s 9. He will certainly be there. “It’s really good because it’s bringing heaps of people together.”

She’s 7 and she’s Pākehā. She will definitely be there gazing into the night sky. “Because it’s to remember the loved ones we have lost. And then look forward to the Māori New Year.”

Pewee Te Whakaara-Matangi and Eden Cave, Māori and Pākehā, both pupils at Katikati Primary School, symbolise a community coming together for Matariki which marks the rising of the star cluster Pleiades in the winter sky.

In Māori culture, it’s the beginning of the New Year – a time for reflection, remembrance, celebration, a time of renewal. It’s celebrated across New Zealand and particularly here in Katikati, and particularly Pewee and Eden.

And they ask you to join them at the Te Rereatukahia Marae at 5pm tonight, June 19, for “Reading of the Stars”, when Ngairo Eruera and Haimona Brown will help attendees connect and understand the cluster, which will rise in the eastern sky just before dawn tomorrow.

Pewee and Eden and a couple of hundred others of all backgrounds will huddle in the chill to listen and learn where to look and what to look for in the new dawn.

A proud Pewee Tewhakaara-Matangi – Katikati’s ‘Reading of the Stars’ event is coming home to his Te Rereatukahia Marae tonight. Photo / Merle Cave

There have been “Reading of the Stars” events before – but this is the first to be held at its natural home in Katikati, the Te Rereatukahia Marae on Rereatukahia Pa Rd at the southern end of town.

“When our marae has a platform to be seen and heard, that is alone empowering for us,” said the marae’s chairman, Hone Winder-Murray.

It also means a lot of people of who’ve never been to a marae, and are curious, will get the opportunity and the experience.

A star map of the night sky will be laid out on the ground for people to reference – all part of the viewing and understanding. And there will be other activities for kids.

Then, the following morning, at 5.30am on Friday, June 20, there’s the moment – the third Katikati Matariki Dawn service.

Rug up well and take Katikati’s Park Rd to the Te Whareorahi Reserve, then stare into the dark and distant northeastern sky and wait for Matariki to rise just above the horizon. Huddle around the burning braziers while you do.

“Come along and have your attitude, your mind, your understanding changed for all time,” said Paula Gaelic, one of the collaborative community partners organising the service.

Then there will be hot chocolate, kai (food), whānau and friends and a whole new year to build on.

“For us, and Matariki, there’s no better feeling,” said Winder-Murray.

Katikati’s significant Ulster connection will be recognised at the dawn service. A time for bringing together, with the Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand, Jane Connelly, to follow the light trail across the Park Rd reserve for the dawn service. There will be a karakia and cultural explanations of Matariki.

“An event worth coming together for,” said Winder-Murray.

*A free park-and-ride service will operate from Katikati Primary School to the Park Rd reserve from 5am onwards.