Matariki

Matariki is the Māori name for a group of seven stars known as

the Pleiades star cluster. Some people think of Matariki as a

mother star with six daughters, and it is often referred to as

the Seven Sisters. Others think that Matariki are the eyes

of the god.

Matariki the Māori New Year, is rich with tradition.

Discover the importance of Matariki, and explore

ways that you can celebrate the Māori New Year

with your family. Matariki is officially celebrated

on 25 June 2019.

What is Matariki the Māori New Year?

Matariki is the Māori name for a group

of seven stars known as the Pleiades star cluster.

Some people think of Matariki as a mother

star with six daughters, and it is often

referred to as the Seven Sisters.

Others think that Matariki are the ‘eyes of the god’.

When Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku,

the earth mother, were separated by their children the god of wind,

Tāwhirimātea, became angry, tearing Matariki has

two meanings, both of which refer to the cluster of stars.

Matariki means Tiny Eyes, and Mata Ariki means Eyes of God.

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.