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.

A bucket full of kūmara, salmon, fish, and other vegetables

How to host your own hautapu at home

Prepare your own hautapu ceremony at home with your whānau (family) by following the steps below.

Watch: Highlights from the Whāngai i te Hautapu | Matariki Ceremony 2022

On June 24, 2022, Te Papa hosted a globally significant milestone with the launch of the country’s first public holiday that acknowledges mātauranga Māori (Indigenous knowledge).