Matariki Research and More

Matariki  Research and More

What is Matariki the Maori New Year?

Matariki the Maori New Year, is rich with tradition. Discover the importance of matariki and explore ways that you can celebrate the Maori New Year with your family.  Matariki is officially celebrated on 15 June 2018.

Matariki is the Maori name for a group of seven stars known as the Pleiades star cluster. 

When Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku  the earth mother, were separated by their children the god of wind, Tāwhirimātea, became angry, tearing out his eyes and hurling them into the heavens. 

Matariki appears in the eastern sky sometime around the shortest day of the year, and is thought to determine how successful the harvest crop will be in the coming season. The brighter the stars, the more productive the crop will be. As Seven Stars

What does Matariki mean? 

Matariki has two meanings, both of which refer to the cluster of stars. Mata Riki means Tiny Eyes, and Mata Ariki means Eyes of God.  

When is Matariki celebrated?

Matariki begins on 15 June in 2018. in 2019, Matariki will begin on 10 June. 

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