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Hautapu me te umu kohukohu whetūHautapu: the ceremonial oven and offerings to the stars

All you need to know about the whāngai i te hautapu – the ceremonial offering to Matariki – including how to host your own.

  • A selection of gourds on a table at Te Papa overlooking Wellington Harbour. The sun has not yet risen, and cameras hover in the air ahead of broadcasting of the ceremony

    What is a hautapu?

    In mid-winter, when Matariki appears on the eastern horizon in the morning, a ceremony takes place. This ceremony is commonly known as whāngai i te hautapu – or hautapu for short. It means to feed the stars with a sacred offering.