Matariki at Wellington City Funerals

A year ago at Matariki I was poised on a precipice. I was leaving the job I’d given my heart and soul to, and embarking on a new journey I never would have imagined for myself. I was convinced I was making the right move, but I was still nervous, and I needed some guidance. There was only one thing for it: go to the Wairarapa and look at the sky.

Why the Wairarapa?

I needed to get away from the exhausting cycle I was in, get a change of scenery and also carve out some time to spend with my partner. I wanted peace and quiet, with some greenery and cold, cosy weather thrown in. And if a glass or two of wine happened to me at the same time, then so be it.

The Wairarapa was the obvious choice.

We booked an Air BnB and got outta town for the long weekend. On the cold, wet days we went for walks, perused the local cafes and areas of interest (hello, Poppies) and in those cold, early-dark evenings we snuggled down and got cosy. And throughout, I was googling, jotting down ideas and turning over in my mind the ideas associated with Matariki and the ways it might guide me.

The Matariki star cluster provides all the inspiration I could’ve asked for. The nine stars in the cluster are intrinsically connected, and they each have a name and a purpose. Matariki, the mother, is connected with health and wellbeing, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi the wishing star, used to set desires and dreams for the year to come. Waipuna-ā-rangi is connected with the rain, and Ururangi is connected to the wind. The stars that represent the sources of our food in the ground, air and waters: Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waitī and Waitā. (Waitā is also connected to tides and floodwaters – particularly relevant in current times).

The most relevant star for my purposes is, of course, Pōhutukawa, which is connected to the dead and particularly those who have passed away in the past year. (Sources: AUT, the Ministry for the Environment and Te Papa.)

The appearance of Matariki in the morning sky is a sign for people to gather, to honour the dead, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.

Perfect. Yes.

At this time, Stu and I didn’t have a name for our business. That would come later, over a pint in the Sprig & Fern (site of many an inspiration since). But we knew we wanted to build our funeral home on our shared values. How could we pin those values down, put some words to them, so that they were there – accounted for, accountable to?

I reached back to my Comms life, and started drafting our statement of Principles and Values. They fell into place as if they were already meant to be.

Our logo

A few months later, when I sat down with Jane Comben from Pogo Design to talk about the branding for Wellington City Funerals, I explained that Pōhutukawa is important to us.

Here’s what Jane had to say about how she developed our logo and branding.

The branding was developed around the powerful symbolism of the, a tree deeply connected to remembrance, spirituality and the spiritual journey in te ao Māori. According to mythology, the spirits of the deceased travel to the ancient pōhutukawa at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) before departing for the underworld.

Pōhutukawa also holds a special place within Matariki, naming one of the nine stars of the cluster. As the star of remembrance, Pōhutukawa connects the living with their ancestors, encouraging us to pause, reflect and honour those who have passed.

These themes of remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future is at the foundation of the Wellington City Funerals brand. The logo mark is designed to represent the circle of life, with pōhutukawa petals arranged in a subtle koru form.

The petals can be seen as either gently unfurling, symbolising growth and renewal, or drifting away, reflecting farewell and remembrance. Together, with lettering that’s warm and professional, these elements create an identity that acknowledges loss while offering a sense of continuity and hope for those moving forward.

This Friday, please join us

In our Wellington midwinter, Matariki provides us the opportunity to speak aloud the names of those we have lost – to weep for them, to give thanks for them, to know that we carry their memory with us into the future.

On Friday at 4pm we’ll be in the Lady Chapel at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul (2 Hill Street) for our very first Matariki gathering. There will be music, some readings, time for reflection, and a chance to say aloud or in your heart the names of those loved ones who have died. While we’re hosted by the lovely team at the Cathedral, the service itself won’t be particularly religious, so whether you’re of a different faith, or no faith, please do feel warmly welcome.