Māori

Matariki

Matariki

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Known in other cultures by names including the Pleiades and the Seven Sisters, the rise of the star cluster Matariki heralds the beginning of the Aotearoa Pacific New Year according to the lunar calendar.

Matariki may be translated as mata riki – tiny eyes, or Mata Ariki – eyes of God. The eyes are thought to watch over the land and its people. Matariki (Pleiades) is a small but distinctive star cluster that drops below the horizon in April and reappears in June.

Matariki tribal celebrations are held at different times by different tribes. For some, feasts are held when it is first seen. For others, it is the full moon after it rises that is celebrated and for others, celebrations are centred on the dawn of the next new moon. Each winter the stars of Matariki and Puanga signal the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Matariki is visible to the naked eye on a clear winter evening after the full moon from early to late June each year.

The Māori often turned factual information into entertaining tales – it made things easy to remember. In this way, stars became people of the sky. They were the offspring of Rangi (the Sky) and Papa (the Earth). They also had children. These whakapapa (family ties), were a way of illustrating the links between the stars and the seasonal cycle on the land.

There are many stories about its cultural significance as a navigational star and also as an indication of bountiful harvests. Some iwi believe Matariki is the mother surrounded by her six daughters.

The reappearance signifies a time to prepare, to share ideas, to remember the past and celebrate the future. Its about giving respect to the whenua on which we live, and admiration to our mother earth Papatuanuku. Throughout Matariki we learn about those who came before us: our history, our family, our bones.

Matariki signals growth. It’s a time of change, a time to prepare and a time of action. During Matariki we acknowledge what we have and what we have to give. Matariki celebrates the diversity of life. It’s a celebration of culture, language, spirit and people.

The physical appearance of the stars in the sky was used by tohunga (priest or expert) as a forecast of the year ahead - clear and bright signalled warm and productive, whereas hazy or shimmering meant a cold winter was in store and ground for crops must be prepared accordingly.

In pre-Pakeha times mahi whai (Māori string patterns) were used to illustrate the stories of the stars. Mahi whai were used to recreate patterns seen in the night sky. Through the patterns the stories and cosmology were remembered and knowledge passed on.

Matariki, explained by Rakiihia Tau

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11:23min, 10.4Mb

Rakiihia Tau is Upoko of Ngai Tuahuriri and he has donated this text to Christchurch City Libraries. In this document, he explains Matariki in terms of what it meant for the life of Southern Māori and puts it in the context of the year long cycle of mahinga kai - gathering food and the necessities of life.

Rakiihia Tau grew up at Tuahiwi, attended the Native School there and continues to live there today.

Other Matariki traditions

Kites

Kites were seen as connectors between heaven and earth, and were often flown at this event, especially on the first day of the New Year.

Feasting / Kai

Preparing a meal for friends and whanau is traditional at Matariki. It is a time when food stores were full – kumara and other root foods had been gathered, fish were migrating so catches were good, and other foods such as eel (tuna) and birds had been preserved.

Whakapapa

A focus on our whakapapa during Matariki gives us a better understanding of who we are, where we have come from and where we are going. It is also a great way to bring whānau together to share stories and knowledge. Some suggested activities during Matariki are:

  • Start your own whakapapa chart or book.
  • Organise time to bring grandparents and grandchildren together to share stories.
  • Record oral histories on tape or video.
  • Create something to remember those who have recently passed on.
  • Clear the weeds from whānau graves and tidy up the cemetery.
  • Organise an iwi, hapū or whānau gathering during Matariki to learn whakapapa.

Other cultures also recognise the seasonal role of the Matariki star cluster and have interesting traditions about it.

Matariki Resources

cover of Matariki: the Māori New Year by Libby HakaraiaResources in our libraries

Search for Matariki titles in our catalogue including:

Online resources

* Matariki
Background to the celebration of the appearance of Matariki, (the star cluster Pleiades) that heralds the start of the Aotearoa Pacific New Year, and its importance to Māori and Pacific people and other cultures around the world. Includes Māori astronomical names and links to Astronomical websites.
* Auahi Kore Matariki
Includes information and Matariki resources
* Days in a moon month
Find out the Maori names for the days of the moon's cycle and the favoured times for activities such as fishing and planting. From Te Papa
* Māori Star and Constellation Names
* M45, the Pleiades
from the Anglo-Australian Observatory
* Matariki
from Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, includes audio and video resources
* Matariki @ TKI
This TKI Hot Topic provides material to support the teaching of both of these topics in a classroom.
* Matariki at Christchurch City Libraries
* Matariki at Te Papa
Te Papa hosts a large number of Matariki activities and events.
* Matariki Booklet
This booklet was published in 2001 by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori to provide information and ideas about Matariki and how to identify and celebrate it in contemporary Aotearoa.
* Matariki Festival
* Months of the Matariki Calendar
Traditionally for Māori the new year began in June, and divisions of the year were based on lunar months. From Te Papa
* Pleiades Star Cluster
from the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day archive
* Taatai Arorangi
An introduction to Māori star lore, Māori star names, and star charts showing Māori constellations. Explanations of various customs associated with Māori astronomy as relates to the planting and harvesting of crops are also included.