Message from the Minister for Immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs

Department of Home Affairs

I extend my heartfelt best wishes to the Māori/New Zealand community in Australia and to all those joyfully celebrating Māori New Year today. 

Nau mai, haere mai te kāranga o te tau hou o Matariki! 

Matariki is a significant occasion throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, where people come together to remember and reflect on the past and honor those who have passed. It is a time of celebration, as we embrace the present with our beloved whānau and friends, while also eagerly looking ahead to the possibilities the new year holds. 

Australia takes immense pride in being home to over 170,000 people of Māori descent. Australia’s Māori/New Zealand community comprises individuals from diverse ethnicities and cultures, all united by their rich and varied traditions. 

Your invaluable contributions greatly contribute to our success as a vibrant and inclusive multicultural nation. 

Mānawatia a Matariki!

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