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

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