Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year – a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead with hope. For those living with arthritis, it can also be an opportunity to acknowledge the journey you've been on over the past year. There may have been challenges, setbacks, small wins, or new ways of managing your arthritis. Matariki encourages us to slow down, reconnect with the people around us, and consider what will help us feel our best in the year ahead.
The Matariki star cluster is made up of nine stars, each with its own meaning. Across Aotearoa, different iwi have their own traditions and understandings of Matariki. In many traditions, Matariki is regarded as the mother star, bringing together the other eight stars, each representing a different aspect of life.
It's a lovely reminder that health is about much more than our physical body. It includes our relationships, our environment, our emotional wellbeing, our sense of purpose, and taking time to care for ourselves. When you're living with arthritis, it's easy to focus on pain or the next appointment, but these other parts of life matter too. Matariki invites us to pause and ask ourselves: What has helped me this year? What do I need more of?
One of the stars, Tupuānuku, represents food grown from the earth. It reminds us to nourish our bodies with food that gives us energy and supports our overall health. While there's no special diet that can cure arthritis, eating well can help you feel your best and support your overall wellbeing.
Waitī and Waitā are connected to freshwater and the ocean, reminding us of the healing power of nature. For many people living with arthritis, getting outside, walking beside the water, spending time in the garden, or exercising in a warm pool can be gentle ways to keep moving and lift your mood.
Waipuna-ā-rangi represents the rain that nourishes the land. Just as the rain helps things grow, we all need time to rest and recover. Living with arthritis often means learning when to slow down, when to keep moving, and finding the balance that works for you.
Ururangi is linked to the winds and reminds us that life is always changing. Arthritis can bring unexpected flare-ups or new challenges, and what works one day may not work the next. That's okay. Living well with arthritis is about adapting, learning, and knowing it's okay to ask for support when you need it.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful stars is Pōhutukawa, which honours those who have passed and encourages us to reflect with gratitude. Reflection also gives us the chance to recognise how far we've come. It reminds us of the people who've supported us along the way—our whānau, friends, neighbours, healthcare team, or organisations like Arthritis NZ. None of us are meant to do life on our own.
Finally, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is known as the wishing star. It's the star of hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. While we can't always control arthritis, we can choose one or two small things that might help us live well. Sometimes it's the smallest changes that make the biggest difference over time.
This Matariki, you might like to ask yourself:
- What has helped me manage my arthritis over the past year?
- What am I proud of?
- Who has supported me, and who could I reconnect with?
- What's one small thing I could do for my wellbeing this year?
- What brings me joy?
Living well with arthritis isn't about getting everything right. Like the Matariki stars, wellbeing is made up of lots of small things coming together. A walk with a friend, spending time with whānau, eating well, taking time to rest, trying something new, or simply asking for support all play a part.
As the Māori New Year begins, take the opportunity to be kind to yourself. To celebrate how far you've come, to look ahead with hope, and to remember that whatever stage you're at in your arthritis journey, you don't have to figure it out alone.
Mānawatia a Matariki – wishing you a peaceful and hopeful Māori New Year.
