All About Matariki

What Is a Matariki?

    Matariki is the constellation of stars known in many parts of the world which appears in the sky in late May or June. It is also known as the seven stars/sister. It rises in mid-winter and for many Maori, it heralds the start of a new year.

  
   Matariki travels the night skies during the year until the cold months when it disappears from the night sky for about 28 days. When it reappears, it is a signal that the Māori New Year has begun. Some tribal areas say puaka. Rigel is the star that brings the New Year as it always rises before Matariki. In the South Islands we celebrate both. Puaka is the first star to appear of the New Year. When the old people saw Puaka rise on the horizon, they would know in three days Matariki would rise. They would prepare to welcome the New Year, while remembering those that had gone before them.

During the coldest time each year, the Matariki star cluster comes rising up for the first time in the eastern sky. This always happens in the early morning just before the sun's get out of bed. This keep a look out for this happening because it marks in the beginning of an important time of year, the Maori New Year.