I've been thinking about Matariki quite a bit lately - not only looking forward to the day off but learning and understanding what it means and why it's important.

Let's say my food growing garden is a bit of a 'Goldilocks' one - I always seem to get things in the ground either too early or too late - but never just quite right! I've therefore come to appreciate why Matariki Ahunga Nui (the great food piles of Matariki) was certainly a cause for celebration. Matariki Hunga Nui - the gathering together of people to remember and honour those that had passed - also involved the cooking of food and Matariki Manako Nui is about sharing, learning and discussing both the environment and wellbeing in general.

All this food has certainly peeked my interest and it got me thinking about what would I cook for a Matariki celebration?

Follow my journey through the nine stars of Matariki as I select cookbooks for you to discover. Lets go!

Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, and the gathering of people. Now the gathering of people usually means a party (well in my house anyway). You can never go past a good Womans Weekly recipe book of party food. My well thumbed versions are the Australian Womans Weekly Finger Food #2 and the Family Circle Party & Finger Food. I've also got a good selection of tapas books (Simone and Ines Ortega's The Book of Tapas being my current favourite) and of course Annabel Langbein has a whole host of useful recipies and party ideas (check out Celebrate Summer or her platter ideas in The Best of Annabel Langbein - Great Food for Busy Lives). But what recipe book ultimately shouts 'party' in New Zealand - Alexa Johnston's Ladies, a Plate.