Matariki is one of the most culturally significant Māori celebrations. It signifies the start of the New Year in Māori culture. It begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster and is a period of renewal and celebration in New Zealand.

Matariki is named for the star cluster that appears in the sky in New Zealand during midwinter. However, these stars can be viewed from across the world and are venerated in many global cultures and societies. They are popularly known in English as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. 

Traditionally, the celebration of Matariki was how  Māori determined the crop of the coming season. It was believed that a warmer season that would produce a better harvest was indicated by the brightness of the stars. If the Matariki stars were very bright in the sky, this signified a warmer season and more fruitful crops for harvest.

The core value of Matariki is Mātauranga Māori, or the ancestral knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations of Māori families. With that in mind, most Matariki celebrations focus on:

1. Honouring the past - remembering those who have been lost over the last year and the plight of their Māori ancestors.

2. Enjoying the present - Taking time to be content and value what we have.

3. Looking forward to the future - The new year promises a new start, and the Matariki festival is a chance to look forward to the next chapter while valuing the past and the legacy the present is built upon. 

4. Today, the Matariki festival celebrates the unique place in which we live and gives respect to the land we live on. It is a time to spend with whānau (family) and friends to enjoy kai (food), waiata (song), tākaro (games), and haka (ceremonial dance). The planting of new trees and crops is done to represent new beginnings.