It is a frosty 5.40 a.m. on Friday June 28. This pre-dawn stillness marks the beginning of Aotearoa's national holiday of Matariki.

In Maori tradition, the rising of the Matariki star cluster signals the beginning of the new year. This tradition has been embraced by all who now live in Aotearoa.

At this very hour, I have been awake since 2 a.m. meditating on the ever-present mystery of God.

life-watch
sky-sisters crest
the horizon