Te kāhui o Matariki – The Matariki cluster

Matariki (wahine)

Matariki hunga nui. Matariki brings people together. Matariki is not only the name of the cluster, but also the largest star recognised as the mother of the group. Matariki bonds us together, signifying a time to reflect on our health and wellbeing and nurture connections with family and friends.

Pōhutukawa (wahine)

Pōhutukawa, the eldest star, is also a female, with the sacred role of connecting us to loved ones we have lost in the past year. Pōhutukawa gathers the spirits of those who have passed and takes them to the sky, with our love, grief and memories.

Waitī (wahine)

Fresh water is the domain of Waitī, in all its life-sustaining forms. From the streams that feed our land and our existence, to the organisms and food sources that reside within it, in Waitī we see the vitality that resides in fresh water.

Waitā

(tāne)

The vast oceans and all they contain are reflected in Waitā. A rich and crucial source of food, the salt water seas are connected to Waitā and we acknowledge the role this force has in our lives, our land and the food we are able to gather when we herald Waitā. Waipuna-ā-rangi (wahine)

The rain that offers life to our lands and people is embodied in Waipuna-ā-rangi — the pools in the sky of Ranginui. The expert eye can look to Waipuna-ā-rangi for guidance on the rains of the seasons ahead, which we depend upon for growth and health.

Tupuānuku (wahine)

This star’s name tells us that it is connected to all that grows with the ground, or Papatūānuku. Crops that come from the soil and are harvested or gathered for food are observed with Tupuānuku. We see hope for a bountiful year ahead.

Tupuārangi (tāne)

The name of Tupuārangi tells us this star relates to food sourced from closer to Ranginui — the birds in the sky, fruits and berries, everything that grows in trees, or above the ground.

The complementary nature of Tupuārangi and Tupuānuku reminds us of balance and sustainability.

Ururangi

(tāne)

Connected to the power of the winds, Ururangi is revered by seafarers who know they must understand the winds in order to move under their force. In Ururangi we respect the impact of the wind on our lives, both cleansing and challenging.

Hiwa-i-te-rangi (wahine)

The youngest in the kāhui, Hiwa-i-te-rangi shines as our wishing star, set with the purpose of granting our wishes and dreams for the year ahead. Sometimes known as Hiwa, this star holds our hopes, bringing us the opportunity to set our intentions and goals for a bright future.

Matariki is a time to consider what we have gathered in the last year, remember those we’ve lost, and set plans for the future. It is a time to be together, unified in a celebration that is unique to Aotearoa.

Ngā mihi o te tau hou Māori – The best of wishes for the Māori new year.