Matariki Kōrero: Darcy Nicholas—My Ancestor is Me

Darcy Nicholas discusses the celebration of Matariki, which he believes is a creation, like Puanga, emerging out of the meeting of different cultures. He explores other new interpretations of Māori stories, as well as how Māori lived in relation to the position of the sun, the moon, and the stars, and the impact this had on travel and on growing, storing, and gathering food.

Nicholas says ‘the only thing you can guarantee in life is change. It's important that we keep an open mind about the true origins of cultural stories and practices—most were designed to guide and maintain the survival of the people’.

Darcy Nicholas is an artist who has been actively involved in the contemporary Māori art movement since the late 1960s. He was the Director of Community and Cultural Services for Porirua City, 1993–2012, and led the creation of Pataka Museum.

Presented in partnership with Wellington City Libraries.