On Friday morning, the Matariki star cluster will rise, marking the beginning of the Māori new year. This is a time for celebration, remembrance, and peace.
In preparation for Matariki, a group of women at the Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility have been participating in a sewing, quilts, and crafts group. They have been busy creating Matariki-themed cushion covers and quilt squares. Each square represents one of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster.
One of the participants, Mei*, proudly showed off a square she made. She explained that it represents the Earth mother, featuring a Matariki star, mountains, lands, and ocean. The quilt squares will be sewn together to create a wall hanging. The cushion covers, decorated with autumnal colours, stars, birds, and symbols, will be donated to Woven Earth, a charity that provides furniture for people escaping abusive situations.
Another participant, Jess*, enjoys making items for others. She helps manage the storeroom, where donated fabric is stored. She tries to stay busy to make her time in prison pass quicker.
Heather Gerbic, a volunteer who is leading the Matariki project, said that Matariki’s meaning of celebrating a new year and remembering those who have passed has a deeper significance for the group. It represents a new beginning and opportunity for them.
Mei, who had never sewn before coming to prison, has now been asked to make 80 dog treat bags she designed herself. She is considering a career in the creative industry and plans to volunteer in the future.
Robyn Bickers, who runs the group, said the participants’ confidence has greatly increased. The group provides a creative outlet for the women, and there is a high demand from other prisoners to join. They hope to meet weekly in the future.
Both Mei and Jess find that sewing provides a sense of calm and a way to focus. The group also offers a safe space for the women to connect and create. After six months of work, the Matariki wall hanging was unveiled inside the prison on Thursday morning.
*The names of the prisoners have been changed to protect their privacy.
