Kia ora e hoa mā.

With the race towards the end of the calendar year, it seems appropriate for Kēmu Whakatau O Aotearoa to start thinking about the next one, and more specifically the next end of year, albeit the Māori one. Stick with me, it’ll make sense shortly.

The tent pole event in the KiwiRPG calendar is KiwiRPG week. We have done two now and they are always roaring successes. They bring eyes onto our little corner of the hobby from far and near, with media attention and community spotlights on all of the excellent creations Aotearoa contributes to our great hobby. KiwiRPG week formed the nucleus of Kēmu Whakatau O Aotearoa in many ways. It is an amazing opportunity for us all to celebrate Kiwi creations unapologetically.

When the committee sat down to start preliminary planning of the next KiwiRPG week, naturally we turned our thoughts towards when to hold it. Previously it had been in June and May before that. Dates chosen for various reasons. This year we wanted that reason to be one that is just as special to Aotearoa as it is to KiwiRPG. So we decided to coincide the week with Matariki, the Māori new year. Hopefully the opening paragraph is starting to make sense.

Matariki is a sacred time across polynesia, and for most Māori iwi. It is the time where its namesake star cluster rises in the eastern sky, and welcomes in the new year. It is a time we associate with endings and beginnings, life and death. It is a time where we come together to plan, to enjoy one another’s company and to feast upon the bounty of our harvests. To look back at the year that’s been and forward to the year ahead. It is a time to be introspective but ambitious and full of potential.

What better time for our community to come together, unite in voice and action to spring into the new year with pride, mana and something to show the world?

With this said, I would like to confirm that the official dates for KiwiRPG week 2024 are Sunday 23rd of June through to Saturday 29th of June. This obviously coincides with the Matariki holiday on Friday 28th. We will close out the year and welcome in the new one in the way only Kēmu Whakatau O Aotearoa can.

Thank you for your time to read this. As this calendar year counts down, put some mind towards how you want to welcome in Matariki next year and know we are all here with you.

Kia pai tō koutou rā
Liam Stevens
Kēmu Whakatau O Aotearoa Chair