Matariki

With the first Matariki Public Holiday coming up next week, Friday June 24, we have shared some information from Professor Rangi Matamua:

What is Matariki and why do we celebrate it? ⭐

Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster most commonly know as Pleiades. Traditionally Māori used the rising of Matariki as a marker for the New Year.

How many stars are in the cluster?

It depends on the culture and location. Across the world some have six, others seven some have nine and some even have 12. In Aotearoa, some believe there are seven stars in Matariki while others say there are nine.

What are the names of the stars that make up the Matariki cluster and what does each star represent?

Matariki (f) connected to health and wellbeing and is also the Mother to the other stars in the cluster

Pōhutakawa (f) connected to those who have passed on, in particular those that have passed since the last rising of Matariki

Tupuānuku (f) connected to food grown in the ground (eg kumara etc)

Tupuārangi (m) connected to food from the sky (eg birds etc)

Waitī (f) connected to fresh water food (eg tuna etc)

Waitā (m) connected to salt water food (eg fish etc)

Waipunarangi (f) connected to rain

Ururangi (m) connected to winds

Hiwa-i-te rangi (f) connected to your dreams and desires for the year ahead

Why do the dates for Matariki change each year?

Matariki follows a lunar calendar system which is different to our modern solar calendar, so the Matariki dates change each year, just like Easter.

How was Matariki traditionally celebrated?

During the correct lunar phase of the correct lunar month Māori would welcome in the New Year with a ceremony called Whāngai i te Hautapu. This is where they would perform a series of karakia and cook food from the environment as an offering to the stars for the bounties given to us from the year that had passed. After the formal ceremony Māori would gather to feast, play games, plan and prep for the year ahead.

How can we celebrate Matariki today?

While in some areas of Aotearoa there are still formal ceremonies happening, celebrating Matariki can be as simple as having a shared feast with whānau and friends celebrating who we are and where we are at the present time, remembering those that have passed since the last rising of Matariki and planning for the year ahead

Why do some regions use other stars as their marker for the New Year?

Different iwi use different stars as markers that tell them when they should celebrate the New Year. Some iwi use Puanga some Rehua while others use Atutahi

How do I say Happy New Year for the Māori New Year?

Mānawatia a Matariki ✨

For more information about Māori astronomy check out our website at www.livingbythestars.co.nz

Junior Examinations

Reminder - Junior Examinations continue on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 June.