Matariki - Māori New Year
Kānapanapa mai ana a Matariki
Matariki shines on the New Year
Acknowledge the old
Advance the new
Embrace the present
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.
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.
Matariki (Pleiades) is a small but distinctive star cluster that drops below the horizon in April and reappears in June.
Find out more about the celebration of Matariki and Māori heritage.
Other cultures
Other cultures and peoples also recognise Matariki as a major indicator of seasonal change. Sailors in the pacific and ancient Greece used the star cluster as a navigational aid. In Hawai’i the cluster is known as the Makali’i and they signalled the start of the Makahiki festival, dedicated to the god of rain and agriculture.
The Japanese know the constellation as subaru – meaning ‘united’ or ‘getting together’. The carmaker also uses the cluster as the logo for its Subaru vehicles.
The Aztec called Matariki Tianquiztl, meaning market place or gathering place.
In Egypt the stars are known as Chu and are said to represent the ‘divine mother and lady of heaven’ the Goddess Net or Neith.
