Matariki and Snow Season Tips
Honouring Matariki – A Time to Reflect, Remember and Reconnect
7 June – 13 July 2025
7 o Pipiri ki 13 o Hōngongoi 2025
Yesterday, I was up at the crack of dawn for my eldest daughter’s school Matariki performance—she was buzzing with excitement and absolutely loves being part of the kapa haka group. And yes, I can now sing the Matariki stars song too! 😊
It was a freezing, but stunning morning. Moments like these remind me how valuable it is to pause and reflect. That’s not something I’ve always been good at (probably like many of us!), but it’s something I’m trying to get better at.
That might sound a bit deep—but as I gracefully mature (or so I like to think), I’ve come to realise that rushing from one thing to the next doesn’t really serve us. Slowing down and taking stock feels more important than ever.
Here’s a quick summary of Matariki for those who might not know much about it:
The rise of Matariki in the winter skies marks the Māori New Year—a special time for remembrance, celebration, and planning for the year ahead.
For Māori, the stars were much more than distant lights. Astronomy was an essential part of everyday life—guiding planting and harvesting, fishing, navigation, and seasonal changes. The movements of stars, planets, the moon and sun were closely observed in relation to what was happening on the whenua (land), in the moana (sea), and in the awa (rivers). Each star in the Matariki cluster has its own unique meaning and connection to the natural world.
Traditionally, Matariki was a time for whānau to gather—to share food, stories, music, and ceremonies; to honour those who had passed, and to set intentions for the year ahead.
Today, Matariki is embraced across Aotearoa as a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect. It’s also a great opportunity to check in with your own health and wellbeing.
Our Winter Wellness Tips for the Season:
Move daily, even when it’s cold – short walks, stretching, or home-based strength sessions all help.
Prioritise rest and recovery – like nature, our bodies benefit from slowing down in winter.
Speaking of winter wellness... read on for our top snow season tips!
Warm up properly before any exercise or sport to reduce injury risk.
Stay connected – social wellbeing is just as important as physical.
Set small, achievable health goals – whether it’s building strength, improving posture, or managing a niggle, winter is a great time to reset.
Brrr... It's Snow Season! Are You Slope-Ready?
It’s definitely chilly out there (especially for us Aucklanders!), and this polar blast is hopefully bringing a solid start to the ski season.
As the mountains start to buzz, it’s a great time to ask: Is your body ready for the demands of skiing or snowboarding?
These sports take us into an environment completely different from everyday life—higher altitudes, long stretches of cardio, and unique demands on muscles you might not usually engage. No wonder our bodies can get a bit of a shock on the slopes!
Skiing and snowboarding especially load the legs, glutes, and lower back. If you’ve got a trip planned, some pre-snow prep can make a big difference—improving performance, reducing fatigue, and lowering injury risk.
A few key exercises to get you started:
Squats – Wall squats, jump squats, and eventually some plyometrics.
Lunges – Forward and side lunges, and use instability (like a BOSU ball) to challenge balance.
Calf Raises – Try both flat and off a step to strengthen through full range.
Glute Bridges – Wake up those glutes—you’ll need them!
Core Work – Planks, side planks, and Swiss ball exercises to mimic the mountain’s unstable terrain.
The key? Variety. Train your body for the kind of movement you’ll be doing on the snow.
If you’re already managing an injury, or just want to hit the slopes feeling strong, give us a shout. We’re skiers and boarders too, and we’d love to help you get snow-ready.
