What is Matariki?
Matariki signals the Ma¯ ori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the
Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters).
Matariki is a star cluster which appears in the night sky during midwinter. According to the Maramataka (the Ma¯ ori lunar calendar), the reappearance of Matariki brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Ma¯ ori New Year.
Traditionally, festivities were conducted to celebrate Matariki. They followed the harvesting of crops when the patakapataka food storehouses were full, freeing up time for family and leisure.
These festivities included the lighting of ritual fires, the making of offerings, and celebrations of various kinds to farewell the dead, honour ancestors and celebrate life.
Tohunga (spiritual experts) looked to the Matariki star cluster to find out how abundant the upcoming year’s harvest would be. Bright, clear stars promised a warm and successful season. Hazy stars, however, warned of cold weather and poor crops.
Matariki festivities highlight the tangata whenua view of the world, reminding of the cycle of life and natural ways of marking the passing of time. us,” says Sam. “We get to share stories, wonderful activities and kaupapa and we get to do things together, get to engage and we also get to educate.
“Many tamariki from across early learning and schools in our Ka¯hui Ako will be taking the stage in kapa haka performances throughout the afternoon,” says Tatai.
“We are utilising local resources and key people to run workshops and promote . . . There is some amazing mahi happening in our community that we hope to showcase.”
The celebrations will take place on July 10 at Jubilee Park. It will be jampacked full of fun, full of culture and full of celebration, music and food.