Matariki
The star cluster Matariki (the Pleiades) will first rise on 23 May. The best time to see it will be on 31 May as there will be approximately 30 minutes between Matariki rising and the Sun coming up. The Māori New Year begins with the first new moon after Matariki’s reappearance. This year, the new moon rises on 5 June so the Māori New Year starts on 6 June.
Matariki is a time of festivity for Māori, the tangata whenua, or first people of the land. Te Papa’s festival is for all people of Aotearoa New Zealand and includes elements from other Pacific cultures.
The appearance of Matariki in the morning sky is considered vital on its first outing. If the stars in the cluster are clear and bright, it is thought the year ahead will be warm and productive. If they appear hazy and shimmering, an unproductive year is in store.
The bright star Puanga – or Rigel – also emerges at about the same time, and for some iwi (tribal groups) it is the appearance of Puanga rather than Matariki that has significance and is celebrated. Iwi who celebrate this star are those who don't see Matariki, those who live in the west, some parts of the far north, and parts of the South Island.
Matariki indicates a change of season, in particular the start of the cold season. The pātaka (food storehouses) are full, there is no food gathering, fishing, eeling or planting as it is too cold. Matariki is the time to stay indoors and wananga (schools of learning) about geneology and other important issues to Māori.
As the winter starts to fade around August, it is time to start preparing the land for planting and the cycle of food gathering starts again.
As the natural world regenerates and another seasonal round begins, Matariki is a time to pause and reflect – on the year that was, and the year that will be.
Page last updated 13 May 2008
