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.

The disappearance of Matariki in Autumn traditionally signaled the time to gather and preserve crops. The Matariki star cluster disappears from view in April, and reappears again in late May/early June (sometime around the shortest day of the year) and was an important marker in the harvest calendar. After the harvesting of traditional crops, such as kumara, pikopiko and karaka berries, when the storehouses were full, Maori would celebrate the harvest season. This celebration coincided with the reappearance of Matariki.
This year Matariki begins on 15 June.

Māori also used Matariki as a signal for when to plant their crops after the long winter. If the stars were clear and bright, it was a sign that a favourable and productive season lay ahead, and planting would begin in September.

If the stars appeared hazy and closely bunched together, a cold winter was in store and planting was put off until October.

Nowadays, Matariki is still seen as an important time to celebrate the earth, and show respect for the land on which we live.

A few simple ways to celebrate Matariki with your family1. A Family Feast

Make Matariki a time when the whole family gets together to feast and give thanks.

2. A New Harvest
Use Matariki as a time to clear the winter vegetables, and prepare your vegetable garden for the new planting.

3. Tree Planting

4. Attend a Matariki Event