Submission on the Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill

This is the submission of New Zealand Republic - Kia Mana Motuhake a Aotearoa (NZR)

1. NZR is a campaign group, specifically for a citizen as head of state. We have members and supporters all across Aotearoa.

2. NZR supports the establishment of Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day as a public holiday

3. NZR submitted a petition on this issue, along with ActionStation, which received over 30,000 signatures in support of establishing a public holiday in 2020.

4. We support the establishment of Matariki Observance Day because Matariki is an increasingly important date for New Zealand. 

5. Marking the Māori New Year, Matariki recognises our indigenous origins, as well as bringing together all peoples of New Zealand at events from public fireworks, festivals, Kapa Haka competitions and many others. The establishment of Matariki Observance Day will create more of these kinds of events to bring citizens together.

6. Outside of New Zealand, numerous other countries across the Asia Pacific region mark the rising of the Pleiades cluster at the end of May or the start of June. Matariki Observance Day will tie Aotearoa more closely to our region.

7. NZR would like to appear before the select committee.