Matariki and World Refugee Day: a time for reflection and unity
Published on 17 June, 2025
By Waikato Intercultural Fund
Every year the rising stars of Matariki illuminate both the midwinter dawn sky and the essence of renewal and connection.
This year, on Friday 20 June, the convergence of the sighting of Matariki and the annual date of World Refugee Day offers a profound opportunity to weave ancestral wisdom with the values of manaakitanga and compassion, reinforcing the importance of community and belonging.
Two celebrations, one purpose
Matariki invites us to reflect, remember, and rebuild – honouring those who came before, cherishing the present, and setting intentions for the future. It is a time of whaanau connection, strengthened through hospitality, aroha and collective care.
Similarly, World Refugee Day calls us to recognise the resilience of displaced communities, urging us to go beyond just offering sanctuary – to actively welcome, support, and uplift those seeking new beginnings.
At their core, both occasions emphasise unity, reminding us that inclusion is not an act of charity, but a commitment to our shared humanity.
The Waikato opportunity
In the Waikato, the diversity of people, places and all living things is a social and economic strength. Our multicultural neighbourhoods and rural communities thrive because of the richness of cultural exchange. As the Waikato River binds landscapes together, so too must we unite across differences, building bridges rather than barriers.
At the Waikato Intercultural Fund, we’ve seen the power of true manaakitanga – hospitality that goes beyond greetings to create spaces where newcomers feel valued, heard, and empowered.
When such inclusive cultural traditions intersect with opportunities for social change, transformation occurs at both an individual and systemic level.
From reflection to action
This moment on Friday calls for more than recognition - it calls for action, now and into the future.
To move beyond surface-level multiculturalism, the people of the Waikato and Aotearoa can and must foster authentic relationships and embed inclusion into every aspect of our society, including in the following ways.
Workplaces: advocate for inclusive hiring that values the skills and experiences refugees bring.
Schools: incorporate diverse cultural perspectives into education, ensuring that both indigenous and migrant stories are heard and honoured.
Communities: host kai-sharing events, storytelling circles, and collaborative projects to strengthen ties amongst different cultural groups.
Civic Engagement: support policies that ease refugee integration, ensuring equitable access to housing, employment, and local governance.
A community that cares
True social cohesion is not passive – it is built through shared experiences, active solidarity, and meaningful engagement. It means challenging discrimination, amplifying and empowering marginalised voices, and ensuring that the Waikato remains a region where everyone feels they belong.
This Matariki and World Refugee Day, let’s commit to shaping a community that present and future generations will celebrate – not just for its diversity, but for its unwavering commitment to inclusion, equity and unity.
Together, let’s ensure that when Matariki rises again next year, every person in Waikato can say with confidence: “This is my home. I belong here”.
Find out more about at Waikato Intercultural Fund and its Movement for Open Culture Aotearoa.
