What is Matariki?

Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters;  and what is referred to as the traditional Maori New Year. It is marked by the rise of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon. The pre-dawn rise of Matariki can be seen in the last few days of May every year and the new year is marked at the sighting of the next new moon. All Iwi (Maori Tribes) celebrate Matariki, although they may celebrate at different times. For some tribes celebrations are held when Matariki is first seen in the dawn sky, for others it is celebrated after the full moon rises, and for others the dawn of the next new moon.

Some Iwi recognize and celebrate a different cluster of stars called Puanga or Puaka ((Rigel in Orion).
Matariki, Puanga or Puaka are generally celebrated during the months of June and July. Common principles apply to all celebrations whether they are Matariki, Puanga or Puaka. The duration of events and activities varies from a few hours to two months.
 
Matariki has two meanings, both referring to a tiny constellation of stars; Mata Riki (Tiny Eyes) and Mata Ariki (Eyes of God).
Traditionally, depending on the visibility of Matariki, the coming season's crop was thought to be determined. The brighter the stars indicated the warmer the season would be and thus a more productive crop. It was also seen as an important time for family to gather and reflect on the past and the future.

Matariki is celebrated with education, remembrance and the planting of new trees and crops signalling new beginnings. Matariki was the optimum time for new harvests, and ceremonial offerings to the land-based gods Rongo, Uenuku and Whiro to ensure good crops for the coming year.  It was also seen as a perfect time to learn about the land we live on and to remember whakapapa (ancestry) who have passed from this world to the next and the legacy they left behind. Traditionally celebrations lasted up to 3 days after the new moon had risen following Matariki becoming visible.

Matariki is also associated with the winter solstice. It appears when the sun, drifting north on the shortest day in winter, reaches the north-eastern end of the horizon. The sun then turns around and begins its journey south.

For all tribes, the importance of Matariki has been captured in proverbs and songs, which link it with the bright star

    Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.
    Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!

    Matariki re-appears, Whānui starts its flight.
    Being the sign of the [new] year!


Mataraki activities in NZ might occur in all these areas: Astronomy, Conservation, Health, Horticulture, Schools, Sports, Art, Food, Family, Community
 
Astronomy:
The night sky contains a massive number of stars which were used by Maori as a way to calculate time and seasons, navigate oceans, preserve knowledge and stories, maintain customary practices and inspire action and achievement. Matariki is an especially important cluster of stars to Maori, it is a signal for seasonal celebration and a key navigational beacon for ocean voyages.
The time of Matariki brings together family to share and learn the stories and knowledge that the stars hold. There are many legends that are associated with Matariki and not only in New Zealand but the Pacific and worldwide.

Astronomy nights, Waka ceremonies at night during Matariki, Story telling nights based on legends of stars, Dawn sighting event when Matariki appears, Seminars of sailing by the stars

Conservation
For Maori the land that they live on is one of the most important aspects of life.  Preserving their way of life depended on the treatment of the land and all things living on it, this outlook was paramount to their survival  and was reflected and filtered through to many other aspects of Maori culture.
The Matariki star constellation was used to dictate how the coming year would be in regard to the size of the harvest, so it was very important for Maori to prepare the land as best they could in order to enable the coming year to be successful. It was a time for everyone to learn about the trees, crops and environment that was  around them. Therefore the land, its conservation and care is at the forefront of the Matariki celebrations.

Cleanups of beaches and local parks, Promotion of New Zealand bush walks, Recycling awareness, Teaching about native New Zealand forests in schools, conservation talks
 
Food and Hospitality
Matariki was seen as a time to share with each other, for family and friends to come together and share in the gifts that the land and sea had provided for them.

Certain meals made of traditional foods (month of Matariki), Matariki dinner celebrating the event, Hangi nights during Matariki,
Signs during Matariki at supermarkets promoting healthy food

Health
Matariki is a time of new beginnings, a time to pause and reflect on the year that was and the year that will be.  So naturally it is a time for people to take a look at their lifestyles, their health and make some changes for the better. For a long time Maori people have been suffering in the state of their health. Diabetes, obesity, alcoholism and smoking are all areas of concern and areas that need to be addressed.
Matariki provides a perfect time for Maori people and people of New Zealand to take a look at the state of their health and lifestyle.  With the help and information from the health centers, hospitals and medical staff Matariki could be a time of healthy beginnings and new awareness's.

Health awareness/new beginnings promotions, Healthy eating, Health workers going to affected communities, Traditional Maori medicinal practices classes and promotions

Horticulture
Traditionally Matariki was seen as a time to prepare the land in which we live on. As Matariki fell in the winter months when the land was at its most inactive this was an ideal time to learn about the land and about the forest. Certain vegetables were planted to appease land based gods Rongo, Uenuku and Whiro and heading towards spring, plans for the planting of the spring garden were carried out.

For Maori the land was held with the utmost respect, how the land was treated in turn dictated how they would be treated living on and amongst it. Learning about the land and how to treat it through care as well as techniques and strategies of planting ensured the Maori culture would live on and survive for years to come.

Planting of traditional plants and trees, Ceremonies to appease land gods around the sighting of Matariki, Promotions of native New Zealand plants

Schools
For children Matariki is an important time to learn about whakapapa (ancestry), the land, the stars, and what it is to be Maori.
The Matariki stars were used to navigate, to keep time, know what season they were in, and to learn about the legends of the stars.
Learning about family and whakapapa was also very important around the time of Matariki.  It was time to come together to exchange stories, learn about ancestors who have passed from this world to the next, and hand down knowledge and practices to ensure the Maori culture is preserved.
The land and the preserving of it was a big part of Matariki, crops were being planted for the next season, and learning about the land and forest was essential for everyone. Matariki is a time when children can learn about and celebrate the unique culture that they are a part of through school, family and friends

Matariki month/arts and crafts, Maori history/legends classes, Projects on star constellations, Planting of vegetable garden and New Zealand plants exercises, School play performances, Family days surrounding Matariki, Cooking classes for whole family, Whakapapa/family tree exercises, School Hangi (Traditional Maori cooking) to celebrate the new moon/new year

Art
The sky was used by Maori for many reasons throughout history. Reading from the vast volumes of stars was a way of preserving history, knowledge, culture and maintaining ancient practices. The time of Matariki was a celebration in all customs and beliefs, so arts in its many forms were very important to this period. With the coming together of family and friends it was a time to share with each other skills, achievements and history through story telling, song and dance, carving and weaving, ancient ceremonies and passing on of knowledge and history. Matariki is a special time of year to celebrate being Maori, its customs and art forms and to show how unique the Maori culture is.

 Special play performances,  Street performances, Exhibitions of Maori crafts, Classes showing how to weave, carve, Television shows on Matariki history
 Musical performances

Sports
Competitiveness is a dominant factor in Maori culture, and the time of Matariki emphasises this.
Matariki signals a time of coming together of family and friends, to share in food, festivities, and fun. Families gathered to perform songs and hakas, weave, carve, prepare food delicacies, hunt and fish.
While all this is done for the celebrations and entertainment, there is always an underlying sense of competition, to be able to out sing and out perform peers, to catch the biggest fish or prepare the tastiest meal. Matariki provides a time when we can show off our talents and allows for recognition in achievement and success.

  High profile Maori sports stars promoting Matariki, Family sporting days - mixture of sports and traditional activities, Fun run,
  Sponsored sports days to raise money for local Maori clubs / Marae (Maori meeting place)

New beginnings
  
Get fit. Look at your diet and exercise and see if there are any improvements to be made. If you smoke - give it up.
      
Get your finances in order. Now's a good time to set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it. Don't forget to allow for unexpected expenses.
      
Examine your relationships with your family. Do you know what your children are really interested in? Is there a relative you haven't kept in touch with?
      
Start or update your family history. Whakapapa is our history, who we are. Matariki is a great time to learn about the deeds and actions of our ancestors and how they have shaped who we are today.
      
Learn a new skill or revive an old one. Brush up on your Māori language. Perhaps you could dust off the old guitar or piano. Enrol in a course you've always wanted to do - learn something you can pass on to others.
      
Make a wish for the New Year when you see the new moon.
 

Matariki – A Celebration

I te wā o Matariki, ka whakanui tātou i tō tātou mana motuhake i tēnei ao.
He manaaki i te whenua e noho nei tātou i runga, he mïharo ki tō tātou whaea,
ki a Papatūānuku.
I te roanga atu o Matariki, ka ako tātou i ngā āhuatanga ō rātou mā
kua hoki ki te kāinga tūturu.
Ko ngā mahi me ngā kōrero o mua. Ko ō tātou heke. Ko ō tātou wheinga.
Ko Matariki te tohu o te tupu.
He wā e puta kē ai.
He wā whakariterite, he wā kōkiri kaupapa.
I te wā o Matariki, he mahara atawhai ki ngā taonga kei a tātou inaianei,
hei koha atu hoki a taihoa.
He whakanui a Matariki i ngā tini ähuatanga o te oranga.
He whakanui hoki i te tikanga, i te reo, i te wairua me te iwi.
Ko Matariki tō Aotearoa tau hou.

(Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Māori)

During Matariki we celebrate our unique place in the world.
We give respect to the whenua on which we live,
and admiration to our mother earth Papatūānuku.
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.
It’s 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.
Matariki is our
Aotearoa Pacific New Year.