Matariki is the Maori word for the Seven Sisters, the star cluster which rises in early June. It is referred to as the Maori New Year (I've probably got that wrong if so look it up).
It has gained a little more popularity in recent years with a few minor celebrations and creation of brand names. It is said to mean celebrating New Zealand and the land and previously was a kind of harvest festival. Nowadays schools, Maori groups and hippies celebrate it with tree plantings, song and dance festivals and other people-friendly events. It is a nice, cultural thing that while not hugely recognised, adds flavour to the country.
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| Matariki Festival performers |
I was gobsmacked though when the other day hearing/seeing on TV some bloody retail chain offering Matarki specilas. WTF? Is nothing sacred to New Zealand retailers?
We sem to have the most discount oriented market in the world. Virtually no retailers and certainly no retail chains promote themselves on quality of goods and service alone. Sadly, if they did they would go bust. Everyone wants a bargain even if the bargain they get is shoddy crap that falls apart in a very short time.
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| Well worth reading |
What's next?
Briscoes' World Religion Day on January 17th
Noel Leeming's Buddha Day on 27th May
The Wahouse Ramedan beginning 12 August
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| What are they selling? Men's suits of course |
3 comments:
Second, if you've got time to leave a comment, you've got time to answer my email.
I've ben living in New Zealand for over 9 years, and in that time Briscoes has ALWAYS had some sort of sale going.
Bit of a joke really.
Yes I notice the Matariki slae at New World being advertised too and thought this was a bit off, or culturally insensitive. However, some would agrue to differ. After all New Year whenever it is is suppossedly a celebration. Our Kiwi culture tends to indicate it's OK to get pissed at New Year.
SO fianally someone at NW has cottoned onto this as a marketing strategy. It had to happen - that's all I can say.
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