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Preparing the pizza dough in the outdoor kitchen.

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Preparing the pizza dough in the outdoor kitchen.

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Final circle with Matariki wreath and candle.

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Final circle with Matariki wreath and candle.

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Making pizzas using the ingredients related to each whētu.

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Making pizzas using the ingredients related to each whētu.

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To do list for the Mara at the Earth School.

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To do list for the Mara at the Earth School.

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Photos from Maramataka and Matariki Teacher Connection Hub - 28th June 2026

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Photos from Maramataka and Matariki Teacher Connection Hub - 28th June 2026

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Matariki Star Biscuits- Edmonds Cookbook Recipe

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Matariki Star Biscuits- Edmonds Cookbook Recipe

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Method

1. Beat with electric beaters the butter, caster sugar and vanilla for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.

2. Sift flour and cornflour into the mixture and combine to form a soft dough. Mould into a ball shape.

3. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the dough on the paper and place another sheet of baking paper on the top. Roll out (not too thinly).

4. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes and preheat the oven to 180°C.

5. Cut the dough into star shapes and arrange on a lined tray. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until pale golden. Remove from tray and allow to cool.

6. Microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds on medium, then stir. Repeat until melted and smooth.

7. Dip half of each biscuit into the chocolate and decorate with sprinkles.

Tip

Perfect for celebrating Matariki.

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Star Biscuits Recipe (He Pihikete Whetū) Edmonds Cooking NZ

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You can also find this recipe in te reo Māori: He Pihikete Whetū

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Matariki Biscuits - video with recipe at the end.

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Matariki Biscuits - video with recipe at the end.

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This would be good to share with whānau as well.

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Matariki kai: chicken soup, parāoa koroua, citrus and syrup cake recipes | Te Papa

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Uncle Pare’s earliest kai memory is parāoa koroua cooked on hot embers. Watch his simple recipe as he describes how kai has shaped his life.

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Special recipes to us to remember ones who have passed. What was a favourite recipe in your whānau?

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Matariki kai: ginger crunch recipe | Te Papa

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‘A sweet treat for Matariki.’ A whānau favourite that will be a hit with everyone: a particularly crunchy ginger crunch.

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Some Matariki activity ideas from Celia Hogan at Little Kiwis Nature Play

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Some Matariki activity ideas from Celia Hogan at Little Kiwis Nature Play

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10 Daytime Matariki Activities for Nature-Based Groups

1. Plant a Matariki Star Garden
– Plant bulbs, rākau (trees), or native seedlings to represent each Matariki star and their meaning (e.g. food, weather, remembrance, wellbeing).

2. Make Natural Star Art
– Use sticks, leaves, feathers, and bark to create star shapes or a Matariki cluster on the ground or with glue on cardboard circles.

3. Weave Matariki Stars (Whetū)
– Use harakeke (flax), or coloured wool to weave/make stars—perfect for stringing into a garland or mobile.

4. Create a Gratitude Rock or Stick
– Invite tamariki to paint or decorate a rock/stick with something they’re thankful for from the past year. Add them to a gratitude trail or garden.

5. Storytelling Circle
– Share pūrākau (traditional stories) about Matariki or invite tamariki to create their own star-inspired story to tell around a pretend fire.

6. Make Matariki Kites (Manu Tukutuku)
– Craft simple kites using paper, natural materials, or recycled plastic. Discuss how kites connect us to the heavens and our ancestors.

7. Create a Memory Mandala
– Using found natural items, create a circular mandala to remember loved ones or reflect on the year that’s been.

8. Prepare & Share Kai Together
– Cook a simple soup or roasted veggies over a fire or portable stove. Let tamariki help prepare or serve the food as part of a Matariki hākari (feast).

9. Whetū Nature Hunt
– Hide star shapes around the bush or outdoor area. Each star could represent one of the nine Matariki stars, with a question or activity to explore.

Nature Wish Wall
– Invite each child to write or draw a wish or goal for the year ahead and tie it to a branch or frame with natural string or wool.

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Many ECE and school teachers, managers and principals want to confidently take the children in their care outdoors. But they're not sure where to start. And they need to make sure everyone's on the same page to successfully bring nature into their teaching environment.

At Little Kiwis Nature Play, we run nature-based education professional training and workshops, online courses and teacher only days - specific to your ECE centre or school.

That inspire and motivate teachers and parents to confidently take children outdoors to nature instead of being stuck inside wondering where to begin.

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We help ECE centres to get children outdoors and into nature. With practical support, system development & professional development for start up bush kindys

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Helping with understanding the importance of the hautapu at the time of Matariki.

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Helping with understanding the importance of the hautapu at the time of Matariki.

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A lively story with stunning illustrations that reveals the tradition of Matariki.

The Astromancer is looking for four new apprentices to learn about Matariki and the Maramataka calendar. She chooses three boys and an orphan girl, Aria, who will come only if she can bring her smelly dog. Aria, though, is bored by the lessons, and she doesn't want to be told what to do.

But these are dangerous times, and Ruatapu the Ravenous is about to threaten the safety of the whole tribe. Will Aria step up to save them?

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Matariki Playlist - Waiata in Te reo Māori and English

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Matariki Playlist - Waiata in Te reo Māori and English

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Music videos for the songs in our Matariki For Tamariki album - from Loopy Tunes Preschool Music

Check out

Ururangi Dance - it will get you moving!

Waiti - Shine Brightly

Feed the Stars (Hautapu Song)

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Music videos for the songs in our Matariki For Tamariki album

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Matariki resources on Tahurangi curriculum website.

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Matariki resources on Tahurangi curriculum website.

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Maths, readers, articles etc.

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What is the difference between Puanga and Matariki

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What is the difference between Puanga and Matariki

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All iwi celebrate the Māori New Year in June or July, but not all iwi refer specifically to this time of year as Matariki. Instead, other iwi will name this time of year ‘Puanga’.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, NZ

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Skip to main content

Some iwi tribes Māori | Matariki Māori New Year and the Pleiades star cluster Māori |

Matariki Name . Che Wilson of Whanganui iwi explains why this is the case, and which iwi celebrate Puanga.
iwi Noun celebrate Puanga rather than

***

Ki tā ētehi, ehara a Matariki i te tohu o te tau, ko Puanga kē. Anei ētehi whakamārama nā Che Wilson o Whanganui iwi mō ngā iwi e whai i ngā tohutohu o Puanga.

Ko Puanga te pae ārahi i ngā tohu o te tau hou i te pae ururangi Puanga leads the celestial signs to herald the New Year
Expand English text

Ko Puanga te pae ārahi i ngā tohu o te tau hou i te pae ururangi Puanga leads the celestial signs to herald the New Year
Why do some iwi look for Puanga?

Puanga is given prominence mainly because some iwi struggle to see Matariki clearly from their locality and therefore look to the next important star near Matariki. That star is Puanga.

This is not a rejection of Matariki as many of these iwi will still refer to Matariki and the other names in the constellation in their tribal narratives - however, Puanga is given preference.

Which iwi celebrate Puanga?

The tribes of Whanganui, Taranaki, parts of the Far North, and parts of the South Island recognise Puanga.

What is Puanga?

Puanga is the star Rigel and is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Matariki is seen below Puanga and to the left of Tautoru (the three stars of Orion's Belt) in the late autumn and early winter night sky.
Puanga kai rau The abundant harvest of Puanga
This whakataukī connects Puanga and Matariki celebrations to the result of hard work over a number of months. It recognises the efforts of growing, harvesting, and storing food for the long nights of as returns to his first wife .

When is Puanga celebrated?

The first new moon in the month of is the period when stars like Puanga, Matariki, and set. This time is a chance to reflect on the past year and to remember your loved ones.

Puanga and Matariki then rise again in a fortnight in the eastern sky. This is the time to acknowledge the rising of our loved ones that have passed so that their spirits become stars, and to prepare for the celebrations of the New Year.

The appropriate time to commence celebrations is based on the nights of abundance for your locality, and some will recognise the nights of and others the nights of Tangaroa - one week after full moon. This is to ensure that any food available is in abundance so that the dedicated and celebrated in the name of Puanga is recognised appropriately.

The connection between the kererū and Puanga

The stomach of the kererū were also fed to expecting mothers to help quell any food cravings and to ensure that mother and unborn child were given the most nutritious foods.

Puanga and gardening activities

This time is likened to, and re-enacts, the creation period of Te Kore (the void/potential) and once the land has been treated, it will then go through a period of Te Pō (the night - or a time to plant). Then as the shoots of the food sprout above the soil, the plants transition into Te Ao Mārama (the world of light).

Like Matariki, Puanga is a time of reflection, preparation, learning, and celebration.

Close English text

Ko Puanga te pae ārahi i ngā tohu o te tau i te pae ururangi
Kua rangona nuitia ngā marama o Hune me te Hūrae ki te whakanui i te tau hou Māori. Heoi, ki tā ētehi iwi ehara a Matariki i te tohu o te tau, ko Puanga kē te tohu o te tau.

Nā te aha i pēnei ai te mana o Puanga?

Ki tā ētehi iwi, ka whai mana ake a Puanga i a Matariki i te mea tē taea te kite i te kāhui Matariki i aua takiwā. Nā tēnā, ka kimi i tētehi atu whetū matua kei taua wāhi i te rangi, koia ko Puanga.

Ehara i te mea ka whakakore i te mana o...

Expand te reo Māori text

Ko Puanga te pae ārahi i ngā tohu o te tau i te pae ururangi
Kua rangona nuitia ngā marama o Hune me te Hūrae ki te whakanui i te tau hou Māori. Heoi, ki tā ētehi iwi ehara a Matariki i te tohu o te tau, ko Puanga kē te tohu o te tau.

Nā te aha i pēnei ai te mana o Puanga?

Ki tā ētehi iwi, ka whai mana ake a Puanga i a Matariki i te mea tē taea te kite i te kāhui Matariki i aua takiwā. Nā tēnā, ka kimi i tētehi atu whetū matua kei taua wāhi i te rangi, koia ko Puanga.

Ehara i te mea ka whakakore i te mana o Matariki nā te mea ka kōrero tonu mō taua kāhui engari ka noho a Puanga hei tohu mō te tau hou Māori ki aua takiwā.

Ko wai ngā iwi ka whai i ngā tohutohu o Puanga?

Ko ngā iwi o Whanganui, o Taranaki, ngā wāhanga o te Taitokerau me te Wai Pounamu hoki e whai ana i ngā tohutohu o Puanga.

Ko wai a Puanga?

Ko te ingoa Pākehā mō Puanga, ko Rigel. Koia tētehi o te kāhui o Orion. A, hei ngā pō o te Ngāhuru, ko Puanga kei runga ake o Tautoru (ko ngā whetū e toru o te tātua o Orion), a, ko Matariki kei te taha uru o Tautoru.

Ko te whakataukī rongonui e hāngai ana ki te mana o Puanga, koia ko:
Puanga kai rau - arā ko nga hua matomato o Puanga
E hono kau ana tēnei tū kōrero ki a Puanga rāua tahi ko Matariki me ngā mahi hauhake māra kai, kohikohi kai hoki i ngā marama mō mua tonu i te tau hou. A, e anga atu ana te whakaaro ki ngā pō roa o te Takurua me te hokinga o Tamanuiterā ki tōna punatahi (wahine tuatahi) ki a Hinetakurua.

Ko te tūturutanga o tēnei tū hononga, arā ka poto ngā rā, ka roa hoki ngā pō hei tohu kua tau mai te makariri me ngā āhuatanga o te Takurua. Heoi, ia tau ka hoki anō a Māui ki te hopu i a Tamanuiterā kia hono anō ki tōna punarua (wahine tuarua) ki a Hineraumati kia roa ngā rā, a, kia poto ngā pō inā ngā tohu o te Raumati. E hua ana, nā Māui tēnei mea te 'daylight savings.'

Hei āwhea, whakanuia ai i a Puanga?

Ehara i te mea kia kotahi, kia rua noa ngā rā, ngā pō rānei hei whakanui i a Puanga engari hei te takiwā o te kotahi marama neke atu ki te rua marama kē te roa me te mōhio tonu, he rua marama mō mua ki te whakariterite, a, he rua marama anō ka whai ake ki te wānanga.

Hei te takiwā o te pō o Whiro i te Kotahi o Pipiri (arā te Hune ki te Hūrae) te wā ka tō ngā whetū pērā ki a Puanga, a Matariki, a Whānui (arā ko Vega tēnā) hoki. Koianei te wā me whakaaro atu ki te hunga kua riro ki te pō.

Ka rua wiki pea te roa o te moe a Puanga, a, ka ara anō a Puanga i te rāwhiti. Tērā te wā ka tāpiki atu ngā mate o te tau kua hipa hei whetū i te rangi. A, koinei hoki te wā me āta whakariterite ki te whakanui i te tau hou.

Ko te wā tika me whakanuia e tātau i a Puanga, ko ngā pō e matomato ai ngā tupu o te whenua me te wai, inā ko ngā pō o Rākau (ko Rākaunui me Rākaumatohe) rānei, ko ngā pō o Tangaroa (he kotahi wiki a muri atu i a Rākaunui) rānei. Ko te take e pēnei nei ana, kia huhua te kai, kia nui te hākari ki te whakanui i te huringa tau me te mana o Puanga.

Ngā hononga ō Puanga ki te kererū

E hāngai pū ana te whakataukī nei a Puanga kai rau ki te manu rangatira, ki te kererū i te mea koianei te wā e mōmona ana i te kai miro me te kai tawa. Nā te kaihoro, ka āhua haurangi te kererū me te taumaha, koia e hoihoi ai te kapakapa o tōna rere, a, ka māmā noa te hopu i ēnei tū manu.

Nā ēnei tū āhuatanga me te nui o te kiko o tēnei manu i rangatira ai te kererū hei kai matua mō Puanga. A, ko te tikanga me hoatu te manu tuatahi o te tau ki te ruahine, ki te kaumātua wahine o te whānau.

A, ka whāngaia ngā wāhine e hapū ana ki te puku o te kererū hei whakatau i te hiakai me te tuku i ngā kai huhua ki te whaea me tōna rea e tupu ana i tōna kōpū.

Ngā mahi māra kai

Ko tētehi kaupapa matua hei tēnei wāhanga o te tau ko te whakarite i te māra kai. Ka hurihia te oneone, a, whakamāngia te whenua e te taonga o te kōpaka kia mate ai nga tarutaru.

Etia nei ko ēnei mahi māra ko te whakatīnanatanga o waihangatanga mai o te ao tūroa nei, inā, ko Te Kore ko te whakariterite i te māra kai, ko Te Pō ko te whakatau i te purapura, katahi ka tupu, ka toru ki runga ka puta te tupu ki te ao tūroa, me kī, kua puta te tupu ki Te Ao Mārama.

Ko Puanga, ko Matariki, e rua, e rua. He wā hokinga mahara, he wā whakariterite mō te tau e tata ana, he wā ki te wānanga, a, he wā whakanui i ngā kaupapa ā-tāngata.

Close te reo Māori text

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Watch: The Star Family of Matariki story

Watch: The Star Family of Matariki story

Hear Te Waari Carkeek, from Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi, tell the story of how the seven Matariki stars use their special talents and skills to help their kuia, Papatūānuku (the earth), prepare for the new year.

Matariki: regional variations

Matariki: regional variations

Matariki isn't universally observed, due to a variety of reasons - including the fact that the cluster is not visible to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. Learn about regional variations in marking te Mātahi o te Tau (the Māori new year).

Matariki - the Māori New Year

Matariki - the Māori New Year

Matariki is a time to gather with whānau and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.

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The difference between Puanga and Matariki

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Skip to main content Some iwi tribes Māori | Matariki Māori New Year and the Pleiades star cluster Māori | Matariki Name . Che Wilson of Whanganui iwi explains why this is the case, and which iwi celebrate Puanga. iwi Noun celebrate Puanga rather than *** Ki tā ētehi, ehara a Matariki i te tohu o te tau, ko Puanga kē.

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Professor Rangi Mātāmua's Living by the Stars Video Series

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Professor Rangi Mātāmua's Living by the Stars Video Series

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Accessible and incredibly engaging resources by Professor Rangi Mātāmua (Tūhoe) on Matariki, the Maramataka and more. You can also check out their website, Living by the Stars.co.nz for posters and other resources

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Matariki pānui for ECE kaiako

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LEARNZ - information and activities - including sound bites from Dr Rangi Matamua.

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LEARNZ - information and activities - including sound bites from Dr Rangi Matamua.

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<-- Matariki: A wānanga with Dr Rangi Matamua

LEARNZ kaiārahi Jamie invites teachers to explore Matariki in the classroom.

In 2022, Matariki will become a national holiday in Aotearoa for the first time. This is an interesting and exciting time to engage ākonga in learning about place and time in Aotearoa through te ao Māori. Matariki offers a unique context for learning and teaching kaitiakitanga and whakawhanaungatanga through shared learning experiences. This is also an opportunity to explore ideas and engage whānau and community in project-based learning. Matariki covers all learning areas, curriculum strands, and levels. Have fun sharing cultural understandings based on the stories and science of stars.

Tātai Arorangi

Tātai Arorangi is the astronomical knowledge that traditionally informed many aspects of daily life. This knowledge provides educators with insights and understandings about the world and universe around us and the impact that changes in seasons can have on people.

Select the soundbite below to listen to Dr Rangi Matamua share some of his astronomical knowledge about the creation of the universe. You can see this knowledge reflected in a wharenui, like the inside of Te Rau Karamu marae (pictured below).

Image: Inside the wharenui-Te Rau Karamu Marae by LEARNZ.
Astronomy and beyond

Many stars and constellations have different names, spelling, or pronunciation based on local iwi interpretation. Planets and moon phases also have different names based on seasons and relative position to the horizon. Local understanding is an important part of the story-telling.

Image: Dr Rangi Matamua measuring the position of the Matariki star cluster ©Living by the Stars

Select the soundbite to listen to Dr Rangi Matamua describes the connection between stars and our environment.

Observing Matariki

Matariki disappears with the sun in the early evening of May (Haratua) during the Tangaroa phase of the moon, which marks the end of the Māori year.

The specific day that becomes a Matariki holiday is calculated using the maramataka (the Māori lunar stellar calendar). It will be the closest Friday to the first new moon after Matariki rises.

The time of celebration takes place during the last quarter of the waning moon before the dark moon (whiro) followed by the new moon in Pipiri (June/July). The time of celebration takes place between Tangaroa and Mutuwhenua which is the most productive period of the lunar phase.

Generations have looked up and observed celestial patterns and cycles and noticed corresponding activity on earth over seasons and lifetimes. Matariki learning has the potential to engage curious students with ancient, useful wisdom. Engaging students in star gazing can include iwi, community and whānau. This can include activities which launch local events, partnerships and local media stories.

Image: Matariki at dawn, ©Living by the Stars

Select the soundbite to listen to Dr Rangi Matamua explain how and why Māori lunar calendar systems are different all around Aotearoa.

Individual stars within the Matariki constellation can be observed, with a sharp eye or telescope.

The appearance of each star can determine a combination of possibilities. The ability to compare star appearances takes a lifetime.

Project-based learning

The study of Matariki can become a cross-curriculum programme of learning which covers social sciences, te reo, mātauranga Māori, English, maths, art, and science. It provides an opportunity for project-based learning and individual or group research projects.

Seasonal energy

Matariki is also a good time to consider seasonal energy peaks and troughs for optimising student learning. Winter is a time of low energy and a good time for reflection and discussion. Build unit and lesson plans to reflect seasonal energy which is consistent with environmental practises and lunar phases.

Recognising our susceptibility to seasonal and lunar energy fluxes is a good starting point in developing reflective ako - teaching and learning practises - in the classroom. You may need a calendar that includes lunar phases to track lunar cycles and corresponding emotional and physical energy. Low or high energy days can be understood as part of a mitigation strategy. Ākonga can reflect on their own peaks and troughs in the same way.

Select the soundbite to listen to Dr Rangi Matamua explain how Te Māramataka can impact us and student learning.

Activities

The following activities can be developed or incorporated into lesson plans and units. There are additional resources on Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI).
Observe and record

Plan an early morning expedition to view Matariki (using LEOTC guidelines). Include iwi, hapū and whānau partnership and discussions.

Create a seasonal diary, recording observations during the day and night. Encourage ākonga to notice changes in plants, animals, weather, people, including their own energy, mood, feelings, appetite, and activities. This could be a written, pictorial, or video blog.

Describe and measure seasonal changes in weather, plant growth, beach cast seaweed, animal activity, changes in backyard and community gardens.

Compare and contrast lunar and solar calendars. Identify the lunar phase each day and observe daily changes as a way of understanding lunar stellar cycles.

Create

Plan, create and share a meal together

Create karakia, waiata, haka, song, story, play, poem, art of any kind about Matariki

Make a two or three-dimensional representation of Matariki using natural materials like flax, seaweed, seeds, and branches.

Explore

Mātauranga Māori stories and science including creation legends and how the stories of Matariki relate; Te Kore, Te Pō, and Te Ao Mārama.

Local stories and stories about Matariki from other cultures including origin stories and whakapapa from the cultures of your ākonga

Different ways of measuring time, including lunar stellar calendars

Birthdays on other planets e.g Earth years compared to Mars years - age 10 on Earth = age 18 on Mars

Other constellations - stories and science

Māori creation pūrākau to understand the science in the metaphors.

Useful links
Living by the stars
Join Professor Rangi Matamua as he shares with us extensive knowledge around Māori astronomy and how we can all Live by The Stars.

Matariki Macarena
Waiata and lyrics

Instructional Series: search Matariki
English medium literacy instructional series showcasing Matariki resources and activities.

New Zealand History, Matariki
Matariki information and teaching activities.

NZ curriculum online - Matariki
General information about Matariki.

Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
A story about Matariki.

Te Papa Tongarewa, Matariki: Te Tau Hou Māori
A collection of resources about the Māori New Year and the maramataka.

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Matariki: A wānanga with Dr Rangi Matamua LEARNZ kaiārahi Jamie invites teachers to explore Matariki in the classroom. In 2022, Matariki will become a national holiday in Aotearoa for the first time. This is an interesting and exciting time to engage ākonga in learning about place and time in Aotearoa through te ao Māori.

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In this recorded professional learning session picturebook expert Associate Professor Nicola Daly (co-director of the Waikato Picturebook Research Unit at the University of Waikato) discusses her research into bilingual picturebooks and shares the rich opportunities picturebooks offer our teaching and learning around Matariki.

Throughout the session we share a range of science ideas and free supporting resources.

Brilliant webinar
Educator

You can download the both video and slideshow presentation.

Thanks so much! Looking forward to using the links in my classroom.
Educator

Useful links

Have a look at these picturebook collections linking to a variety of curriculum areas:

Listen to Dr Nicola Daly and Dr Dianne Forbes in this RadioNZ interview from August 2021 about the value of picturebooks.

Acknowledgement

Thank you to Dr Nicola Daly.

Published 8 June 2023 Referencing Hub articles

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In this recorded professional learning session picturebook expert Associate Professor Nicola Daly (co-director of the Waikato Picturebook Research Unit at the University of Waikato) discusses her research into bilingual picturebooks and shares the rich opportunities picturebooks offer our teaching and learning around Matariki.

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Graphic from the Science Learning Hub - Environment Aotearoa Report - linking resources for Matariki 

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Graphic from the Science Learning Hub - Environment Aotearoa Report - linking resources for Matariki 

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This infographic from Environment Aotearoa 2022 shows the positions of the whetū in the Matariki cluster and describes the environmental domains they represent.

Download a PDF of this infographic.

Source: Ministry for the Environment, Stats NZ and data providers and licensed by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

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This infographic from Environment Aotearoa 2022 shows the positions of the whetū in the Matariki cluster and describes the environmental domains they represent. Download a PDF of this infographic. Source: Ministry for the Environment, Stats NZ and data providers and licensed by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

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Video of Professor Rangi Matamua explaining about Matariki and find other resources. Professor Rangi Matamua (Tūhoe)is a pioneering Māori scholar who has revolutionised understandings of Māori astronomy, and in particular Matariki.

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Matariki - Māori New Year Event information and NZ Resources

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We explain what Matariki is & how it is celebrated during Māori New Year. It occurs annually in NZ & pays respects to the land we live on & our whakapapa.

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Te Wānanga of Aotearoa Resource on Matariki

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Te Wānanga of Aotearoa Resource on Matariki

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Learn about Matariki

What is Matariki?

How many stars does Matariki have?

The nine Matariki stars

When to observe Matariki

Taringa podcast Matariki episode

Downloadable resources

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Matariki

Matariki tāpuapua. Matariki nāna i ao ake te kai ki runga. Matariki hunga nui. Matariki ahunga nui. Te ope o te rua Matariki. Ka rewa a Matariki, ka maoka te hinu. Ka rewa a Matariki ka rere te kanakana.
Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and wellbeing of people.
Pōhutukawa

Tērā a Pōhutukawa ka mōiri ki runga he pae whakamahara mō aku tau kahurangi kua ngaro.

Pīratarata mai rā koutou hei whetū i te pō, kōrekoreko mai rā hoki koutou i te rokiroki o ngā mahara mō ake tonu atu e.
Pōhutukawa is the star connected to those that have passed on.
Waitī

Waitī ki runga. Waitī ki raro, e rere nei ō wai hei manapou mō te whenua, hei oranga mō te tangata, hei kete kai mā te iwi. Kōriporipo tonu nei te ia o te awa, māreparepa ana ngā roto, kōrengarenga te puna a Tāne-te-waiora, he koira!
Waitī is connected with all fresh water bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters.
Waitā

Tērā te marae nui a Kiwa te kānapanapa nei i raro i a koe Waitā. Hīia mai rā ki runga te tini a Ikatere, rukuhia ki tai, kohia ki tātahi hei kai mā te tini o uta. Ka hiki mata te tapuwae a Tangaroa! Koia au nui, koia au roa, koia moana tuarangaranga koia moana i āio.
Waitā is associated with the ocean, and food sources within it.
Waipuna-ā-Rangi

Haramai te kōnehunehu! Haramai te hāuaua, Haramai te tarahi! Haramai te patapataiāwha!

Takataka mai i te kōmanawa o te hei tapu, whāinumia e koe e Waipuna-ā-Rangi ka tupu te whenua, ka tupu te tangata.
Waipuna-ā-Rangi is connected with the rain.
Tupuānuku

Tupuānuku ka pihi nuku, ka pihi rangi, ka makuru haere ake nei. Kia haumako roa hoki te puke ki a Rongo, i āhua mai i tawhiti. Ngā hua o Nukutū ka aohia nuitia, arā rā ngakingaki, ara rā tinaku. Hauhaketia rā te tau, he tau humi e.
Tupuānuku is the star connected with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food.
Tupuārangi

Ngaruru te waokū, matomato te waokū, māpuapua te puhikaioreore e tau ai ngā tamariki a Tāne, tērā koia te pua nui. Tupuārangi māu e mōmona ngā manu, ka mōmona ngā hua, ka puta ka ora!
Tupuārangi is connected with everything that grows up in the trees: fruits, berries and birds.
Ururangi

E Ururangi whakamāriretia te atua matakerepō koi pūkerikeri mai koi haurokuroku mai, koi huripari mai. Engari kē kia hau kōanga, kia kōtengitengi kia purea ai au, kia whakahauoratia ai au.
Ururangi is the star connected with the winds.
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi

Hiwa nui, Hiwa roa, Hiwa pūkenga, Hiwa wānanga! Hiwaiterangi tēnei e korou o te manawa koronga, tēnei te āwhero o te manako nui. Horahia nuitia mai ngā hua tuawhiti mātinitini o te tau. Purutia e au kia mau te angitū, tāwhia te mooho kia ita! Ka puta ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama.
Hiwaiterangi is the star connected with granting our wishes, and realising our aspirations for the coming year.

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Te Iwa o Matariki | Māori New Year | Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

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Matariki Matariki tāpuapua. Matariki nāna i ao ake te kai ki runga. Matariki hunga nui. Matariki ahunga nui. Te ope o te rua Matariki. Ka rewa a Matariki, ka maoka te hinu. Ka rewa a Matariki ka rere te kanakana. Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of people.

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Revitilse Māori Astronomy - ScienceLearning Hub.

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Revitilse Māori Astronomy - ScienceLearning Hub.

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Māori ancestors possessed a wealth of astronomical knowledge that they referred to as tātai arorangi.

The knowledge was important for many aspects of daily life, from growing crops, fishing and navigation to telling time and the change of seasons.
Project Mātauranga
For example, Māori used the stars to calculate the season and time. This was done by viewing the various stars that rose in the morning just before the Sun came up. Because the stars rise 4 minutes earlier every day, the star that sits on the horizon will let you know what season it is. So if it's winter, Takurua will be the star that comes up just before the Sun, and in the summer, it's Rehua.

The Māori knowledge framework was based around whakapapa kōrero - spoken narratives that held a lot of philosophical and technical information. Some knowledge was also recorded in art forms like carvings and passed down in waiata (song).

With the arrival of Europeans and colonisation in the mid 1700s, much of this information was lost or reinterpreted as mythology or history - as opposed to the science that it was.

Astronomy and crops

Te whāinga - the goal

In 2009, a group of people came together with a shared goal to preserve and revitalise Māori star lore. The diverse group was made up of astronomy enthusiasts, academics such as astrophysicist Dr Pauline Harris, master carver Dr Takirirangi Smith and master navigators Hekenukumai Busby and Jack Thatcher.

Together, a group was formed - SMART - the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions. SMART is working to collate knowledge from different iwi around the country and from archival sources.

Meet some members of SMART

Solution

A lot of knowledge is held by kaumātua and within early accounts of Māori. The SMART team are seeking out this knowledge and unpacking the scientific observations.

We've got people looking for new planets and new galaxies, and we need to be part of that. Now, our ancestors, they travelled into the heavens to place the stars. That's part of who we are, and I don't think that we should be content perhaps just to maintain our traditional knowledge, but understand that and also merge that together with the greater science community.

Dr Rangi Matāmua

Alongside their work in cultural preservation, SMART is also revitalising tātai arorangi. One aspect of this revitalisation is the combining of tātai arorangi with current astronomical research. The other is sharing the knowledge with present and future generations.

Wayfinding

Nature of science

Useful links

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Māori ancestors possessed a wealth of astronomical knowledge that they referred to as tātai arorangi. The knowledge was important for many aspects of daily life, from growing crops, fishing and navigation to telling time and the change of seasons. Project Mātauranga For example, Māori used the stars to calculate the season and time.

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Science Learning Hub

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Wayfinding is about all of the ways in which people and animals orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place. Traditionally, wayfinding referred to the navigation of ocean voyages before the invention and use of the compass, sextant, clocks and, more recently, global positioning system (GPS).

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The Matariki Star Cluster - Science Learning Hub

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The Matariki Star Cluster - Science Learning Hub

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Using the Matariki star cluster as a context for learning can cover many different subjects.

Stars

There are about a thousand stars in Matariki (also known as the Pleiades), but only about seven are visible to the unaided eye:

Alcyone - Matariki, eyes of Tāwhirimātea

Atlas - Tupu-ā-rangi, sky tohunga

Electra - Waipuna-ā-rangi, sky spring

Taygeta - Waitī, sweet water

Pleione - Tupu-ā-nuku, Earth tohunga

Merope - Ururangi, entry to the heavens

Maia - Waitā, sprinkle of water

The relatively young 'teenage' stars were born together in a nebula at about the same time. They are much larger than our Sun and are blue because they are hot. Blue stars are the hottest, yellow are medium hot and red stars are at the cooler end of the spectrum.

The hazy white light around the stars that can be seen with a telescope was thought to be the remnants of the nebula the stars came from. However, scientists have discovered that the stars are a little too old to still have remains of the molecular cloud. The hazy light connecting the stars together is a nebula the stars are passing through - the Merope nebula.

The Pleiades is one of the nearest star clusters to Earth - it's just 444.2 light years away. The distance to the Pleiades is used by astronomers as a marker to help calculate distances to other stars. However, measuring the distance has not been without controversy with two different mechanisms measuring two different measurements. Read more in this article: Resolving the Pleiades distance problem.

Orbit

Matariki is celebrated on the day of the first crescent moon after the reappearance of Matariki, which is why it isn't on the same day every year. Matariki is visible almost all year, except for right before the Matariki festival starts. This is because, from our perspective on Earth, Matariki is behind the Sun.

Matariki is used to reset the Maori calendar, which is a lunar calendar. The cycle of the Moon around Earth is different to the cycle of Earth around the Sun. The Moon cycle is around 11 days shorter than the solar cycle, meaning that, after 12 months, there is still about 11 days until Earth returns to the same position in its orbit. Stars can be used to reset the lunar calendar because they are in the same place in the sky at the same time in Earth's orbit.

Culture

Matariki is visible in many locations so has lots of names across different cultures. The Greek name is the Pleiades, in Japan it is called Subaru and in China it is Mao, the Hairy Head of the White Tiger of the West.

Māori ancestors possessed a wealth of astronomical knowledge that they referred to as tātai arorangi. Maori use the stars and moon as a calendar with each phase of the Moon indicating the favourable times for planting, fishing or eeling.

Stargazing

After Matariki, the star cluster gets easier to see as it rises earlier and earlier in the morning, then later and later at night. The cluster can be found by looking north-east after the festival of Matariki - find Orion's Belt and follow the three stars across the sky to the left until you find Matariki. Once you find it the first time, you'll always be able to spot it because of its distinctive grouping. This makes it a great class stargazing exercise.

Related content

Acknowledgement

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Using the Matariki star cluster as a context for learning can cover many different subjects.

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Actions and singing naming all of the whetu / stars of Matariki

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Ideas, activities, facts - colouring in ..etc

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Ideas, activities, facts - colouring in ..etc

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Chch City library resources.

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Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as Pleiades. The full name is "Ngā mata a te Ariki Tawhirimātea - the eyes of the God Tawhirimātea". It is also the name for the Māori New Year celebration.

Stars that welcome the New Year

Matariki travels the night skies during the year until the cold months when it disappears from the night sky for about 28 days. When it reappears, it is a signal that the Māori New Year has begun.

Some tribal areas say Puaka (Puanga) - Rigel is the star that brings the New Year as it always rises before Matariki. In Te Waipounamu (the South Island) we celebrate both.

Puaka is the first star to appear of the New Year. When the old people saw Puaka rise on the horizon, they would know in three days Matariki would rise. They would prepare to welcome the New Year and give thanks for the many blessings they had, while remembering those that had gone before them.

What happens at Matariki?

Different tribes celebrate Matariki in different ways. In the past, it was a time to:

Finish storing up food for the winter.

Create new woven clothes and baskets.

Remember our ancestors and listen to old tribal stories.

Learn about the natural world.

Learn to play string games.

Celebrate the coming year.

Make, decorate and fly kites.

Some things we might do now at Matariki include:

Have a celebration with friends and whānau.

Learn or do some weaving.

Learn about stars and see Matariki through a telescope.

Talk to people in our family about our family history and stories.

Fly kites.

Watch kapa haka performances.

Learn about Māori origin stories and culture.

Give respect to the whenua (land) on which we live.

Learn more about how we can care for our Mother Earth Papatūānuku

Discover Matariki stories

There are different stories about Matariki and its origins. The following is one of them that comes from Māori Astronomer Dr Rangi Matamua.

Not all the children of Ranginui (Sky) and Papatūānuku (Earth) supported their parents being separated. Tawhirimātea, the God of Wind had strongly opposed the separation but had been overruled by his siblings. In return Tāwhirimātea waged war against his siblings defeating them all except Tūmātauenga, the God of War. Tū was angry with Tāwhiri for what he had done, so to punish him he tore his eyes out, smashed them and threw them into the sky. They remain there to this day as the star cluster Matariki. Thus, this is why the wind is so changeable as he is stumbling around blind.

Other cultures also have their own stories about these stars.

Now that you have learned a little about Matariki - why don't you take our quiz and see how well you can do!

Matariki videos

Stories

Whaea Rochelle shares an origin story of the nine stars of Matariki adapted from the work of Professor Rangi Mātāmua.

Whaea Rochelle reads The Little Kiwi's Matariki by Nikki Slade Robinson, published by Duck Creek Press.

Whaea Rochelle reads Ruru's Hāngi by Nikki Slade Robinson, published by Duck Creek Press.

Crafts

Whaea Paula shows us how to make a woven star out of ribbon.

Maatakiwi from Māori Library Services shows us how to make a folded paper star box for Matariki.

Maatakiwi from Māori Library Services shows us how to make a woven cardboard star for Matariki.

Maatakiwi from Māori Library Services shows us how to make a decorated folded star card for Matariki.

Matariki traditions

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.

Food and kai

Preparing a meal for friends and whanau is traditional at Matariki.

We focus on our whakapapa, our family history, during Matariki.

Stars and space

Matariki is all about watching the stars and learning about them.

Te Whata Raki

Come and discover the new world inside Te Whata Raki. Explore our new online world with your guide, Whetu Marama. Learn about some traditional stories, told through waiata, pictures and other web resources before trying out the quiz.

You can make lots of different things if you learn a little bit about weaving. Learn how to make a star or a putiputi (flower).

Art and craft activities

Download these colouring in pages, craft instructions and other activities.

Colouring in

Activity sheets

Photos of Matariki

See our set of Matariki photos on Flickr.

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Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as Pleiades. The full name is "Ngā mata a te Ariki Tawhirimātea - the eyes of the God Tawhirimātea". It is also the name for the Māori New Year celebration.

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Matariki - Constellation in the night sky as a way finder. 

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Matariki - Constellation in the night sky as a way finder. 

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Science learning hub activity.

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In this activity, students learn about star constellations and that various cultures have their own names and legends about them. They will appreciate that identifying constellations and remembering where they are in relation to each other are important for wayfinding.

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Matariki as a way of Pre European Maori Measurement

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Matariki as a way of Pre European Maori Measurement

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Science learning hub article.

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Due to the geographical isolation of New Zealand, pre-European Māori had little contact with neighbouring islands. Trade and commerce were internally based so there was no need for a precise measuring system. However, activities such as wharenui construction, waka making, woodcarving and weaving did require a high degree of precision. This precision was achieved more through the eye of the operator than by reference to a defined standard.

Human body used for measurement standards

Measurement standards used were most often based on the human body. For example, the span of the arms outstretched horizontally was the mārō, whanganga or aronui. When constructing a wharenui, the arm span (whanganga) of a designated person, most often a person of importance such as a high-ranking chief, would be marked on a cord or rod (rauru) for measuring purposes. These rauru were often handed down over many generations, particularly on the East Coast, and considered a taonga (treasure).

Another version of this unit was the pae, where the outstretched arms are bent to form a circle such that the girth of a tree or other such objects could be measured.

For longer measures, the length of the body with one arm outstretched (takoto) was used, and 1 kumi equated to 10 mārō, a distance of about 18 metres.

Shorter measures were based on the hand and arm:

Tuke - the length from the elbow to the finger tips (cubit).

Kōiti - the length of the little finger.

Kōnui - the length of the first joint of the thumb.

These personal standards of length measurement would vary from person to person, and within any one tribe, one person may have been selected to act as the length measurement standard.

Astronomical phenomena used for time measurement

Pre-European Māori based measurement of time on astronomical phenomena such as the transition of the sun (Rā) through the seasons. The phases of the moon featured as time measure, and 'nights of the moon' were referred to rather than days - 30 nights of the moon were commonly identified and named. The night of the first appearance of the new moon was whiro. Full moon (huanga) covered 3 nights - ohua, turu and rākau-nui.

Several series of names were in use for the 12 lunar months that were recognised. Each tribe recognised proper names for the months but also the use of ordinal numbers. For example, the 1st month was commonly named Pipiri but also known as te tahi.

New Year - Matariki, Puanga

The timing of the New Year varied from district to district. For example, East Coast tribes recognised the first new moon after the appearance, before sunrise, of the Pleiades star cluster (the rising of Matariki) as the start of the New Year.

This occurs in late May or early June. In northern and southern parts, it was the rising, before sunrise, of Rigel (Puanga) in the constellation Orion that was recognised as the start of the New Year. The New Year signalled the commencement of the winter season, and both these astronomical sightings occurred close together so there was not much difference as to the date of the commencement of the year.

Two main divisions of the year were recognised - winter (takurua) and summer (raumati) - and four main seasons, starting with winter (takurua), spring (kōanga - relating to digging and planting crops), summer (raumati) and autumn (ngahuru - relating to crop-lifting).

In Japan, the Subaru car brand is named after the Matariki stars.

Useful links

Published 17 August 2011

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Due to the geographical isolation of New Zealand, pre-European Māori had little contact with neighbouring islands. Trade and commerce were internally based so there was no need for a precise measuring system. However, activities such as wharenui construction, waka making, woodcarving and weaving did require a high degree of precision.

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You tube clip of this pūrākau. University of Waikato

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Sing along to with captions on a You Tude clip. Mrs D

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Story read by author Toni Rolleston - Cummins

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Seven Stars of Matariki read by the author, Toni Rolleston-Cummins.

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You tube clip telling the story - captions only. Iwinomics.

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Learn about the whakapapa of Matariki in this story

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1. - Matariki - Māori New Year - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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Matariki is the Māori name for the small cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, in the Taurus constellation. In New Zealand it comes into view low on the north-eastern horizon, appearing in the tail of the Milky Way in the last days of May or in early June, just before dawn.

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Matariki - 6 daughters with activities. 2015

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Matariki - 6 daughters with activities. 2015

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Te Papa resource - Learn about what the 6 sisters remind us to do and gives ideas for activities to do in our schools and centres.

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During the coldest time each year, the Matariki star cluster comes rising up for the first time in the eastern sky. This occurrence marks the beginning of an important time of year: the Māori New Year.

This is a time for coming together with whānau (family) to think about the past year, plan for the future, and to take action. In doing this, we come to understand how each member of our plays their own special part. Sharing in and appreciating the wisdom and skills of our family members (especially our elders) can help us to shape what we do for and in the world.

Did you know that the seven stars of Matariki are a family too? T he star Matariki is the whaea (mother), surrounded by her 6 daughters: Tupu-ā-nuku; Tupu-ā-rangi; Waipunarangi; Waitī and Waitā; and Ururangi.

The journey taken by these stars across the sky is also whānau orientated - it is to come and visit their tupuna wahine (great grandmother), Papatūānuku.

During this visit, each of the stars help Papatūānuku to prepare for the year to come, using their unique qualities or gifts to bring mauri (life force or energy) to her different environments. Whilst spending time with their , they also learn new skills and gain new knowledge from her, which they guard and pass on to others.

In this first section of our blog series, Te Papa Education hopes to introduce you to each of the seven members of this star whānau, so that it may support you and your whānau in marking Matariki this year. Ideas for activities for young children based around each star will be included too.

Let's us start with the two eldest tamariki...

Tupu-ā-nuku is the eldest of Matariki's daughters. She spends her time with Papatūānuku tending to the different growing plants. She pays special attention to making sure they have everything they need to grow big and strong so they can produce kai (food) rongoā (medicine) and kākahu (clothing materials).

When we see her shining we are reminded that we all have our own special time and place, and to spend time growing our strengths, our pūkenga, as well as that of our friends.

Sprout your own kūmara! Lay your kūmara in damp sand, or suspend it in a jar of water using toothpicks. Keep in a warm place. After a couple of weeks, you will notice shoots growing off the kūmara. When the shoots are about 10 centimetres long, pull them away from the original vegetable. Plant your kūmara in yoghurt pottles and water them well. Give them to members of your whānau as Matariki gifts.

Harakeke (New Zealand flax) is not only only one of the most versatile clothing materials used by Māori; the seeds, roots, and a great relevance to Matariki. Looking at pā harakeke (flax bushes) is, however, also a great way in which to explore the idea of whakapapa with young children. At the centre is the rito (centre blade), which symbolises the child. The leaves surrounding it symbolises its mātua (parents). The next layer symbolises the tūpuna leaves also have use in Māori medicine. This alone is enough to give this unique plant ancestors Māori | Noun | Listen (grandparents). Find some flax in your environment, and get acquainted!

Share the traditional folk-tale Stone Soup. This version of the story was rewritten for World Food Day in 2008, and "focuses on how we can help other people" with manaakitanga (hospitality). Make your own hearty winter soup from scratch and share it with people in need in your community.

Watching this telling of Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert could inspire you to make, prepare and care for your own garden patch.

Learn more about the yummy vegetables we can eat, and how they nourish our bodies. This poster from vegetables.co.nz is a great resource!

Grow one of your strengths this Matariki! Are you really good at kicking a ball? Te hanga pikitia ātaahua (creating beautiful pictures)? Telling stories? Giving cuddles? Remember, practice makes perfect!

Make sure your whānau know what their strengths are too. The tamariki taking part in our Early Childhood Matariki programme this year have been drawing pictures of family members to acknowledge these. Here is my acknowledgement:

Pencarrow Kindergarten in Wainuiomata sent us this picture of their star display. They laminated the stars and stuck them to the window so that whanau could read the back too. The kaiako have extended the activity by asking their parents to make a star for their child too, acknowledging what they think they are good at.

Tupu-ā-rangi loves to sing, and has a song for every occasion! Papa takes her to sing along for te wao nui (the great forests), and all the children of Tānemahuta. Her beautiful voice revives the forest. Because of her actions, the manu (birds), the mokomoko (lizards) - indeed all the creatures of the forest - share their (song) too, which fills the world with joy.

Tupu-ā-rangi learns these songs too and holds them close to her heart. We learn from her the importance of sharing our gifts with others, and appreciating those shared with us.

Learn a new waiata especially for Matariki! Tirama tirama ngā whetu could be a good option. There are plenty of other options on the NZ Folk Song website too! You might to put on a special concert for your whānau and friends.

Winter time can be hard for our birds. They cannot always find enough food, and get very tired trying to stay warm. The Kiwi Conservation Club has some great ideas for creating your own bird cafes! Check it out here.

Make special thank you cards for the people in your life who help you out, or enhance your life, through the sharing of their talents.

Go and visit a forest/bush area in your community. Here in Wellington, the Otari-Wilton's Bush could be an option. Go on a scavenger hunt to help you to get more familiar with it's inhabitants (this Bush City resource could support you). Create your own music there to help revive the forest by making instruments out of found materials, like pine-cones and stones, and playing them.

Explore puoro (Māori musical instruments) more broadly. Find pictures of the escribe the sounds of the different instruments - they instruments. Listen to the tracks on the CD usually imitate sounds found in nature, like the wind, the sea, or birds and insects. Create movement and/or artwork to show your response to different taonga puoro. Te Kū Te Whē, or on the Richard Nunns' website or Radio NZ website. Come and visit the cases in the exhibition at Te Papa. Try to d

Create representations of the children of Tāne-mahuta - animals and plants - and make your classroom or bedroom into a great forest this Matariki!

Share in the legend, How the Kiwi lost his wings, which really encourages us all to become kaitiaki (guardians) of our environment, even though it may mean making significant changes to our current lifestyles. Here is a picture of our set-up for telling this legend to tamariki in 2014:

Check out Part 2 of this resource, which will provide introductions to the other stars of Matariki: Waipunarangi; Waitī and Waitā; Ururangi; and Matariki.

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Ko te whānau o Matariki: Matariki education resource - Part 1 | Te Papa's Blog

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During the coldest time each year, the Matariki star cluster comes rising up for the first time in the eastern sky. This occurrence marks the beginning of an important time of year: the Māori New Year. This is a time for coming together with whānau (family) to think about the past year, plan for the future,...

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Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters).

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, NZ

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Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters).

When is Matariki?

Matariki is a star cluster which appears in the night sky during mid-winter. According to the Maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of Matariki, brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year.
Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.
Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e! Matariki reappears, Vega starts its flight.
The new year begins!
Traditionally, festivities were conducted to celebrate Matariki, they followed the...

Expand English text

When is Matariki?

Matariki is a star cluster which appears in the night sky during mid-winter. According to the Maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of Matariki, brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year.
Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.
Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e! Matariki reappears, Vega starts its flight.
The new year begins!
These festivities included the lighting of ritual fires, the making of offerings, and celebrations of various kinds to farewell the dead, to honour ancestors, and to celebrate life.
Ngā kai a Matariki, nāna i ao ake ki runga.
The foods of Matariki, gathered up by her.

How is Matariki celebrated?

The twinkling of the Matariki stars in the pre-dawn sky heralds a special celebration for young and old. Across New Zealand, people come together to remember their ancestors, share food, sing, tell stories, and play music.

Te Papa's popular Matariki Festival began in 2001.
Fun and learning Remembrance
Matariki, as a marker of transition, was a natural time for families to mourn and honour those who had passed away in the previous year. These loved ones were believed to have transformed into stars - te hunga kua whetūrangitia - shining down from the heavens.

Close English text

He tau hou

Ka hau ake a Matariki, a Puanga ka hui te whānau, ka tere atu ngā mahara ki te tau kua hipa, ka whiua he hākari, ā, ka titiro whakamua ki te tau e tū mai nei.

He iwi mātai whetū ngā tūpuna. I ngā pō o Haratua, ka ngaro a Matariki i te tirohanga kanohi. Tāria te wā, ka mahuta ake te kāhui whetū o Matariki i te atapō.

E ai ki te maramataka, ko te aranga mai o Matariki te tohu o te tau hou. Ki ētehi iwi o Te Tai Hau-ā-uru, o Te Waipounamu ko Puanga kē te whetū tohu i te tau hou.
Ka puta...
Expand Te Reo Māori text

He tau hou

Ka hau ake a Matariki, a Puanga ka hui te whānau, ka tere atu ngā mahara ki te tau kua hipa, ka whiua he hākari, ā, ka titiro whakamua ki te tau e tū mai nei.

He iwi mātai whetū ngā tūpuna. I ngā pō o Haratua, ka ngaro a Matariki i te tirohanga kanohi. Tāria te wā, ka mahuta ake te kāhui whetū o Matariki i te atapō.

E ai ki te maramataka, ko te aranga mai o Matariki te tohu o te tau hou. Ki ētehi iwi o Te Tai Hau-ā-uru, o Te Waipounamu ko Puanga kē te whetū tohu i te tau hou.
Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.
Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!

Tērā ētehi whakamārama e rua mō Matariki: ko ngā mata ariki ko ngā mata riki rānei.

Ehara i te mea he rite tonu te wā e ara ake ai te kāhui o Matariki i te tau. Ki tā ētehi iwi, ka kitea tuatahitia tōna mahutatanga ake i te atapō, koia te tau hou Māori. Ki tā ētehi atu iwi, kia kōwhiti, kia hua rānei te marama i muri mai i te aranga o te kāhui whetū koia kē te tīmatanga o te tau hou.

Te Whakanui i a Matariki

Ka kapokapo mai te kāhui whetū o Matariki i te atatū, he tohu whakatairanga mā te tangata, kauheke mai, tamariki mai. Puta noa i Aotearoa, ka whakamine mai te tangata ka hoki mahara atu ki te iwi nui kei te pō, ka kai tahi, ka waiata, ka kōrero tahi anō hoki.

I ahatia ngā tūpuna i te wā o Matariki?

Ka ara ake te kāhui whetū o Matariki i te wā o te makariri, i te takiwā o te takanga o te rā (te rā poto rawa o te tau). Ā, ka roa ngā rā, ka toro atu ki te wā o te Kōanga, ki te Raumati rā anō. I te wā i a rātou mā, pēnei i ēnei rā, he kaupapa a Matariki hei kawe i ngā tūmanako o te whānau - he tohu nō te whakarauora, nō te whakaohooho, nō te tau hou e tū mai nei.
Māoka ko te hunu
Ka kitea a Matariki, kua mutu noa te hauhake māra, te kōtutu manu, te pāwhara ika me ērā mahi kai a te iwi. Kua kī ngā pātaka i te kai, kua mutu ngā mahi i te māra, ā, kua wātea te whānau ki te noho ngātahi, ki ngā mahi a te whare wānanga, a te whare tapere hoki.
Ngā kai a Matariki, nāna i ao ake ki runga
Ka mātaihia te kāhui whetū o Matariki ki te kimi i ōna tohu. Mehemea he mārama te kite i ngā whetū e pīrakorako mai ana, he mahana te tau e tū mai nei, he nui ngā hua ka puta i ngā māra kai. Mehemea e rehurehu ana te āhua o ngā whetū, he makariri te tau, he iti te kai.
Te kāinga
Ka piri te whānau ki te takuahi i ngā pō roa o te Hōtoke, ka kōrero mō te tau kua hipa, ka titiro whakamua ki te tau e tū mai nei. He wānanga, he kōrero tuku iho, he kōrero pūrākau te mahi.
Te whare tapere
Koia te whare whakangahau o te iwi. Ōna taonga ko te kōrero, ko te haka, ko te waiata, ko te taonga puoro, ko te karetao, ko ngā taonga a Wharawhara, ā, ko ngā tākaro anō hoki. E pēnei ana te kaupapa nui o te whare tapere:

Kia kawea tātou e te rēhia

Nā, ko te whare tapere tētahi o ngā whakahaere nui a te iwi i muri mai i te hautanga a Matariki.
Kua takitahi ngā whetū o Matariki
Ko Matariki te wā e mahara atu ai te whānau ki te hunga kua whetūrangitia i te tau kua hipa. Mō te roanga atu o te tau, e ihu oneone ana te whānau katoa, engari anō a Matariki, he wā whakatā.

Close Te Reo Māori text

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The difference between Puanga and Matariki

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Some iwi celebrate Puanga rather than Matariki. Che Wilson of Whanganui iwi explains why this is the case, and which iwi celebrate Puanga.

Matariki star facts

Matariki star facts

Get the facts about Matariki - a star cluster known worldwide and treasured in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Matariki Festival 2018

Matariki Festival 2018

We're celebrating Matariki at Te Papa Fri 15 - Sun 24 June 2018.

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Skip to main content Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters). Matariki is a star cluster which appears in the night sky during mid-winter.

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Te Papa resource.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, NZ

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A cluster is a group of stars that are near each other. When seen from Earth, stars in a constellation appear to be close together in a pattern but they might actually be nowhere near each other. There are over 500 stars in the Matariki cluster.
2. The heliacal rise of Matariki.
The heliacal rise is when a star or planet is seen on the eastern horizon just before the rising of the sun. For Matariki to be visible as a heliacal star it needs to be at least 5° above the horizon while the sun is at least -16° below it. Any closer and the light of the sun will make Matariki invisible. In Aotearoa, the heliacal rising of Matariki occurs mid-winter.
3. You can see Matariki for yourself.
When Matariki rises during mid-winter (June/July), look towards the eastern horizon before the sun rises, and follow these steps to find Matariki:

Find three bright stars in a line. Māori call these stars Tautoru; they are also known as Orion's belt.

Next, trace to the left of Tautoru until you come to a group of stars that look like a pyramid. This is Te Kokotā.

Finally, if you look to the left of Te Kokotā you will see Matariki.

Watch a video on how to find Matariki 4. Matariki is one of the closest star clusters to Earth.
Compared with other star clusters, Matariki is close to Earth - but it is still 440 light-years away. If you drove there in a car at a speed of 100 kilometres an hour, you would arrive in ... 4.8 billion years!
5. Matariki has many different names around the world.
Matariki is visible to the naked eye from most parts of our planet, and is known by many different names. In Greek, and widely used in English-speaking countries, it is called Pleiades. In Japan, it is called Subaru, which means 'to come together'. In China it is Mao, the hairy head of the white tiger, and in India it is known as Krittika.

In Greek mythology the cluster is known as the seven sisters, and in Norse mythology the Vikings knew them as Freyja's hens.

Press the ▶ below to hear how you pronounce 'Matariki'.

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6. Matariki is an official public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 came into effect in April 2022. The dates for the Matariki holiday will change from year to year, but will always fall in June or July. The holiday date falls on the closest Friday to the Tangaroa lunar period of Piripi.
Dates for the Matariki public holiday 7. Matariki has an apparent magnitude of 1.6.
Every star or astronomical object is given their own apparent magnitude value, which is used to describe how bright it appears in the sky as seen from Earth. Apparent magnitude depends on both luminosity and distance from Earth. The higher the value, the dimmer the object, and the lower the value, the brighter the object. For comparison, the Sun has an apparent magnitude of -26.8.
8. Matariki disappears during the year.
Matariki is clearly visible for most of the year, however it disappears from view towards the beginning of winter. This is because of its proximity to the Sun, which blocks our view of the cluster during this time.
9. Matariki was used by the ocean-going navigators (kaumoana) of the voyaging waka to guide them across the Pacific.
Navigators used stars and star clusters such as Matariki to help them navigate great distances across the Pacific. Today, there is a revival of these traditional navigation skills. Kaumoana have sailed double-hulled waka across the Pacific ocean guided only by traditional methods.
Learn about traditional navigation methods that enabled extraordinary voyages through the Pacific

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A cluster is a group of stars that are near each other. When seen from Earth, stars in a constellation appear to be close together in a pattern but they might actually be nowhere near each other. There are over 500 stars in the Matariki cluster. 2. The heliacal rise of Matariki.

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Te Papa resource from Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi. Link to Padlet of the story.