Matariki

Every year, around June, Matariki re-appears in the dawn sky – signalling the start of the Māori New Year. It is a time to celebrate new life, to remember those who've passed and to plan for the future.





Watch:

Tukutuku panels bound for New York

1. What day is New Year's Day in your country? Is it January 1st? 

2. Is this day a holiday in your country?

3. How do you celebrate this day?

4. Is there a special lunch or dinner on that day?

5. Does anything happen at night?

6. Are there any important customs on that day?

7. Do you have any memories of that day?

0800 Matariki

How many stars of the nine are associated with each aspect of the world?

Water
Forests
Horticulture
Weather and Wind
Guidance to the other world
Hopes and wishes
The watch star


Matariki explained

In Ancient Greece, the Pleiades were Alcyone, Celaeno, Electra, Maia, Merope, Sterope, and Taygeta, companions of the goddess Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo. Represented here in a medieval painting (c. 850). 

Taurus, The Pleiades, and Orion's Belt Lascaux Cave Paintings, France, 10,000 - 18,000 years before present

Northern sky




Southern sky




Southern sky


The nine stars of Matariki

Describe a festival in your country that you enjoy.

You should say:

• What the festival is called
• When and where it is celebrated
• What people do during the festival
• And explain why you enjoy it

 

Māori

Constellation

Pleiades

Remembrance

Reflection

Harvest

Celebration

Cultural significance

Tradition

Whānau (family)

Community gatherings

Storytelling

Renewal

Astronomy

Ceremonies

Ancestral connections

Seasonal cycle

Indigenous

Commemoration

Spirituality

 

1.      For me,

2.      One of the most meaningful festivals in my country

3.      For many people,

4.      I really enjoy Matariki because

5.      Another important part of Matariki is

6.      It’s also a time

7.      During Matariki,

 

________, New Zealand, is Matariki, which is the Māori New Year. It’s based on the rising of a constellation called Matariki, also known as the Pleiades, and it usually appears in the winter sky around June or July. ___________it’s a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal, and it carries deep cultural significance for Māori and for the wider population.

_________communities and whānau come together for community gatherings and ceremonies. People often share traditional storytelling about their ancestral connections, and many events focus on the seasonal cycle and astronomy, because the stars were traditionally used to guide harvesting and planting. _________to honour those who have passed away, which adds a sense of commemoration and spirituality to the celebrations.

________ celebrating the harvest and enjoying food with family. Many schools, workplaces, and local groups organise cultural activities that highlight indigenous traditions, and these events help strengthen the idea of community and tradition.

________ it brings people together in a calm and meaningful way. Unlike some festivals that focus heavily on noise and excitement, Matariki encourages us to slow down, think about where we’ve come from, and look forward to new beginnings. _______ it’s a beautiful reminder of our connection to nature, to our ancestors, and to each other.

Check

One of the most meaningful festivals in my country, New Zealand, is Matariki, which is the Māori New Year. It’s based on the rising of a constellation called Matariki, also known as the Pleiades, and it usually appears in the winter sky around June or July. For many people, it’s a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal, and it carries deep cultural significance for Māori and for the wider population.

During Matariki, communities and whānau come together for community gatherings and ceremonies. People often share traditional storytelling about their ancestral connections, and many events focus on the seasonal cycle and astronomy, because the stars were traditionally used to guide harvesting and planting. It’s also a time to honour those who have passed away, which adds a sense of commemoration and spirituality to the celebrations.

Another important part of Matariki is celebrating the harvest and enjoying food with family. Many schools, workplaces, and local groups organise cultural activities that highlight indigenous traditions, and these events help strengthen the idea of community and tradition.

I really enjoy Matariki because it brings people together in a calm and meaningful way. Unlike some festivals that focus heavily on noise and excitement, Matariki encourages us to slow down, think about where we’ve come from, and look forward to new beginnings. For me, it’s a beautiful reminder of our connection to nature, to our ancestors, and to each other.

Te Waka o Rangi


According to Dr Matamua, the correct (auspicious) phase to celebrate Matariki is during the final waning phase of the moon in the Maori lunar month of Pipiri, the first month of the Maori lunar year.


Dr Rangi Matamua on Matariki

(Doctor Rangi Matamua (Tuhoe), is a senior lecturer based in the School of Māori and Pacific Development at Waikato University.)

Listen:

On "The Seven Sisters" and "Little Eyes"

13:56 -18:48

What did Pleiades mean in ancient Greek?



Te Iwa o Matariki

1.

18:48 - 23:35


2.

23:35 25:15

1. Why is Tupuaarangi above Tupuaanuku?

2. Why is Waitii above Waitaa?

3. What are Waipunarani and Ururangi above everything else?

4. What is special about Pohutukawa and Riwaterangi?


When to look for Matariki:

25:15 - 30:28