In Māori culture, Matariki is the Pleiades star cluster and a celebration of its first rising in late June or early July. The rising marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. Historically, Matariki was usually celebrated for a period of days during the last quarter of the moon of the lunar month Pipiri (around June).

What is Matariki? Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Iwi across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and at different times.

Matariki is known as the Māori New Year in Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view). Closely connected with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of the Matariki stars in the early morning sky brings the past year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year.

Matariki is a special period that connects us to the land, the sky, and each other, through a series of events, traditions, and celebrations that are deeply rooted in Māori culture. Here, we aim to bring the essence of Matariki to life for all New Zealanders and visitors from around the globe.

Jun 28, 2024 · Discover the meaning of Matariki, when it's celebrated in New Zealand, how to find the star cluster, and ways to celebrate Matariki with your family.

Matariki is the star cluster most commonly known across the world as Pleiades. This cluster is part of a larger constellation of stars called Taurus. It is one of the earliest recorded groups of stars in human history, with a record that dates back some 17,000 years.

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars, that rises in midwinter and for many Māori, heralds the start of the new year. The return of the cluster is commemorated by Te Rā Aro ki Matariki. Early in the morning, just before dawn, is the optimum time to view the Matariki cluster.

Matariki is a time to gather with whānau and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. What and who is Matariki? Learn about the stars of Matariki, watch a video showing you how to find the cluster, and test your knowledge in our quiz.

Jun 15, 2021 · Matariki is the Maori word for this group of seven stars, which are an important astronomical feature and source of cosmic knowledge for Maori. Pleiades is visible for most of the year in the night sky but dips below the western horizon during the early evening of May.

Feb 19, 2021 · The Māori, or the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, use a special word Matariki, which identifies the cluster of stars known to astronomers as the Pleiades, and to mythologists and folklorists as the Seven Sisters.