Te¯na¯ koutou katoa Greetings to you all

Matariki is important to Māori as, for many, it heralds the beginning of the New Year.

The word Matariki comes from Ngā Mata o te Ariki, Tāwhirimātea (The eyes of the chief, Tāwhirimātea). Tāwhirimātea is the god of wind who was upset that his parents Ranginui and Papatuānuku were separated by Tāne Mahuta (the god of the forest) so he tore his eyes out and threw them into the sky, creating Matariki.

It is the Māori name given to the cluster of stars also known as Pleiades (its ancient Greek name) and is celebrated with remembrance of the dead and the planting of new trees and crops signalling new beginnings.

Matariki is the mother of the cluster, encouraging people to gather, with families and friends reflecting on the past, celebrating the present and planning for the new future. The other stars in the cluster are, Waipuna-ā-rangi who watches the skies, rains and sleets which nourish the earth and contribute to the water cycles. Ururangi is the winds from the north, south, east and west, Tupu-ā-rangi represents cultivation from the forest, trees, and birds, Tupu-ā-nuku represents the earth with healthy soil, Waitī watches over the fresh water environments and everything living in it, Waitā, represents the seas and oceans and everything living in it, Hiwa-i-te-rangi is known as the wishing star, where you cast your dreams and hopes for the New Year and Pohutakawa is the star of remembering our ancestors, family and friends who have died.

The star cluster of Matariki is known worldwide and treasured in Aotearoa New Zealand.

With its special significance in New Zealand, on Friday, June 24, 2022 we will celebrate our first Matariki public holiday. The date of the public holiday will move each year, similar to Easter, but will most likely always fall between June and July.

Happy Matariki Tracey Collis