To mark the first day of Matariki celebrations this morning, an umu or earth oven has been lit at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Local hapu Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have led the practice of Umu Kohukohu Whetū on their ancestral whenua.
Whānau and communities were invited to take part in the Hau Tapu ceremony.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust chair Marama Royal spoke to Susie Ferguson.
