Latter-day Saint couple Steve and Cindy Keung attended a reception to celebrate Māori New Year (Matariki) at Government House in Epsom, Auckland recently.
The 26 June event was hosted by Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand.
“It was a very nice evening, with many different groups represented from across the community,” Mrs Keung said. “New immigrants, refugees, churches, community groups, and Māori (Matariki), among others were represented.”
In remarks to guests, the Governor-General said, "For Māori, Matariki was traditionally both a time to remember those who had passed away during the previous year, and a time to rejoice. In a wider sense, it is a time to look back on the things that are important to us, and to look forward to the future with renewed confidence, hope and ambition. Matariki is a time for whanau and a time to celebrate new beginnings.”
There are over 300 congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the nation. The Church in New Zealand had its beginnings in the 1850’s. There are over 15 million Latter-day Saints worldwide, with approximately half a million in the South Pacific.