One Māori business owner says “it’s ridiculous” that the Māori New Year Matariki is not already a public holiday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that Labour would make Matariki the country's 12th public holiday from 2022 if it is re-elected. But Awwa founder Michele Wilson (Tainui, Ngāti Paoa) said she fully supported celebrating Matariki as an additional public holiday and was not concerned about the additional cost to her business. LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff Awwa founder Michele Wilson says she fully supported celebrating Matariki as an additional public holiday and was not concerned about the additional cost to her business. Wilson said the public holiday would encourage people to educated themselves about the cultural significance of Matariki.

Source: Stuff September 07, 2020 04:04 UTC