Mānawatia Ngā Reo o Matariki  New Matariki Range Celebrates Language, the Pacific and Shared Journeys

To celebrate te reo Māori, the shared histories of Aotearoa and the wider Pacific, and the many journeys that have brought people to these shores, The Warehouse and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) are launching a limited-edition kākahu (clothing) range for Matariki.  

The range includes hoodies, t-shirts and baby onesies, featuring some of the ingoa (names) the Matariki star cluster is known by across the Pacific, including te reo Māori here in Aotearoa. A special feature for our smallest stars, is a glow in the dark constellation on the tamariki hoodies and t-shirts.  

“Te reo Māori is part of a much wider family of Pacific languages. Evidence shows it traces its origins to Taiwan, travelling through the islands of Te Moana Nui-a-Kiwa before arriving in Aotearoa. Along the way, it was shaped by peoples’ knowledge systems, including kōrero kōkōrangi (astronomy),” says Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.  

“That enduring connection is reflected not only in our Pacific languages, but also in the many cultures that now call Aotearoa home, united by a shared commitment to our future together." 

Together through te reo and shared journeys  

Matariki highlights deep social and cultural connections not only between Aotearoa and our Pasifika neighbours, but also with all who have made Aotearoa their home says Ngahiwi.  

“As people have travelled across oceans and continents over time, they have brought their languages, stories, and histories with them. These journeys, whether across Te Moana Nui-a-Kiwa or from other parts of the world, form the rich foundation of who we are today in Aotearoa.  

"From Makaliʻi to Mataliʻi, from Mataliki to Matariki, the names may differ but they all point to the same whetū and the same ocean of connection that links our peoples. Language evolves as it travels across generations and across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, yet the relationships it carries remain. 

“This range is a reminder that language, heritage, and storytelling bind us, not only across the Pacific, but across all communities who now call Aotearoa home.”  

Kia kaha te reo Māori  

The Matariki range extends the licensing partnership between Te Taura Whiri and The Warehouse, which began with the ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ apparel range for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori in 2023.  

“This collaboration has been a privilege, and there’s something for every member of the whānau,” says Carrie Fairley, Chief Merchandising Officer at The Warehouse. “Tamariki will love the glow-in-the-dark hoodies, which will keep them warm on those chilly mornings while looking out for the stars.  

“We wanted to celebrate Matariki in a way that is both stylish and meaningful for all communities in Aotearoa. This range reflects the many people who have journeyed here—bringing their stories, histories, and cultures—and who together shape a bright, shared future,” Fairley says.  

All items are available exclusively at The Warehouse stores across Aotearoa and online.