Join Us to Celebrate Matariki

To celebrate Matariki, we are partnering with the Auckland Astronomical Society to host a free presentation and (depending on the weather) star-gazing here at our Centre. Come along and learn more about the significance of this event and astronomy in general.

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.

Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to myth, when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.

Cycles of Life and Death

Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a happy event – crops had been harvested and seafood and birds had been collected. With plenty of food in the storehouses, Matariki was a time for singing, dancing and feasting.

Modern Matariki

Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s. In 2000, they were revived. Only a few people took part at first, but in just a few years thousands were honouring the ‘New Zealand Thanksgiving’. A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars.

Source: Paul Meredith, ‘Matariki – Māori New Year’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/matariki-maori-new-year 

Thanks to our Matariki Partners:

Auckland Astronomical Society