What Matariki Teaches Us About Legacy, Leadership, and Learning

This Matariki, we find ourselves at a point of reflection where tradition and transformation meet.

At Awataha Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau, a gifted totem pole carved by the Hesquiaht First Nation during the 1990 Commonwealth Games is set to be restored. The work ahead is not only about preserving a powerful symbol. It’s part of a wider cultural exchange that brings together First Nations and Māori, connects the Pacific Northwest to Aotearoa, and places community leadership and intergenerational learning at its core.

For RCP, this moment goes beyond project delivery. It’s an opportunity to listen, learn, and uplift. That feels especially significant as we build new relationships with First Nations in Canada.

“Restoring this taonga is about honouring the past and making sure its mana carries through to the present,” says Jeremy Hay, Managing Director at RCP. “That only happens when you centre relationships — with iwi, with first nations, and with people who care deeply about doing things the right way.”

This kaupapa is being shaped by many hands. Among them is Jaz Jones, an emerging project manager and RCP team member who’s been asked to help structure the mahi ahead.

“What struck me was the connection and weight behind the stories and Mātauranga (knowledge) being shared,” Jaz says. “Before you pick up a single tool, you’ve got to sit, listen, and understand the significance of what’s in front of you.”

That perspective is closely aligned with this year’s Matariki mā Puanga theme: inclusion, embracing diversity, and celebrating Matariki together.

Our journey to this point has been built on trust. Through our relationship with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, RCP was introduced to Awataha Marae, a pan-tribal urban marae with a strong cultural education kaupapa. What followed was a shared commitment to support the restoration in a way that is iwi and First Nations led, culturally grounded, and centered on community.