Aotearoa New Zealand is in celebration mode with the arrival of Matariki, a significant time in the New Zealand cultural calendar marking the beginning of Māori New Year.
Each year the Matariki cluster of stars - known to astronomers as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters - rises in New Zealand skies. Believed to have formed more than 100 million years ago the cluster plays a pivotal role in modern and ancient Māori mythology.
This astronomical event inspires a selection of festivals that take place around the country.
Key Messages:
- Matariki signals the Lunar New Year. It is a time to acknowledge the year past, to celebrate the present and to plan and prepare for the year ahead. In New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.
- According to the Māori lunar calendar, the reappearance of Matariki brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year.
- The Matariki celebration is essentially based around 3 major principles:
- Remembrance: Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki
- Celebrating the present: Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.
- Looking to the future: Looking forward to the promise of a new year.
- This year (2021) the reappearance of the constellation will be visible around the 2nd of July
- In 2022, Matariki will be recognised as an official public holiday on Friday June 24th 2022. The public holiday in 2022 will provide opportunities for visitors domestically and offshore to plan holidays in the middle of the year, to recharge, to reconnect, to celebrate with kai or set new travel goals.
What is Matariki?
- Matariki is a star cluster which appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during mid-winter – the star cluster is well-known throughout the world.
- Closely connected with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of Matariki in the early morning sky brings the old lunar year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year (see below what is Matariki)
- Matariki takes place in mid-winter from late May to early July. The dates vary according to tribes and geography. This year it will be visible around July 2nd.
- The best time to view the Matariki cluster is early morning, just before dawn.
What is the Māori New Year?
- In New Zealand, the reappearance of the Matariki cluster in our night sky in association with the maramataka signals the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Hence, Matariki is associated with the Māori New Year.
- It gives people the chance to connect with their whanau (family) to reminisce and reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the year ahead.
- The Māori lunar calendar begins in the month of Pipiri (around June-July) when Matariki rises in New Zealand’s north-east sky. Because it is connected to a lunar calendar the date of the celebration changes every year. (There are iwi (tribes) variations as to when and how the Māori New Year is celebrated).
- For some iwi (tribes) in Taranaki, Whanganui and Far North regions of the North Island, and some parts in the South Island, the new year begins with the rising of Puanga (Rigel).
Matariki Star Facts:
- Matariki is the Māori name given to the cluster of stars most commonly known as Pleiades. Its translation means “eyes of god” or “eye of the chief.”
- In New Zealand Matariki can be seen in the night sky during summer, however the correct time to view it in connection with the New Year is during mid-winter before sunrise.
- Before sunrise, look to the north-east horizon. Find the constellation Tautoru, or Orion’s belt (sometimes called ‘the pot’). Trace a line northwards from the three stars of Tautoru. Look for a faint sparkle of tiny dots, about the same width as Tautoru is long. This is the Matariki star cluster.
- In New Zealand the Matariki stars are not visible for about a month. This is because in the winter period they are too close to the sun, and its light hides Matariki.
- You can see the star cluster across the globe, however not at the same time, this is because it is too close to the sun. The time it can be viewed and its significance differs across the world.
- Matariki has many different names around the world. In English, it is called the Pleiades (its ancient Greek name) or the Seven Sisters. The Hawaiian name is Makali‘i, or ‘eyes of royalty’. In Japan it is Subaru, meaning ‘gathered together’. In China it is called昴 mǎo. In Hinduism, the cluster is known as Krittika and is associated with the war-god Kartikeya. Modern astronomers refer to it as Messier 45 (M45).
- To the naked eye, the cluster appears to have just a handful of stars, but in fact it contains hundreds of member stars. It’s one of the brightest clusters in the sky, despite being some 443 million light-years away.
What is Puanga?
- Puanga is given prominence mainly because some iwi (tribes) struggle to see Matariki clearly and therefore look to the next important star near Matariki. That star is Puanga.
- Puanga is the star Rigel and is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Matariki is seen below Puanga and to the left of Tautoru (the three stars of Orion’s Belt) in the late autumn and early winter night sky.
What is the history of Matariki in New Zealand?
- Iwi across New Zealand have different explanations as to the origin of Matariki, but one legend tells that when the earth mother Papatūānuku and sky father Ranginui were forcibly separated, the god of wind, Tāwhirimātea, was so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens
- For ancient Māori, the rise of the Matariki or Pleiades constellation in the celestial skies above Aotearoa New Zealand signalled a change in season - the arrival of the winter solstice and the countdown to spring and summer.
- Matariki was of particular significance to ancient Māori in terms of planting, harvesting and hunting. If the Matariki stars appeared bright in the morning a warm and productive season would follow.
- With Matariki arriving in winter the annual harvest and stockpiling for the harsh months ahead became a priority. Once the harvesting was complete it was time to celebrate with kai (food) often cooked in a hangi in the ground and shared with whanau and friends.
- Matariki was also used by the crews of waka hourua (double-hulled canoes) to guide them across the Pacific. Navigators used stars and star clusters such as Matariki to help them voyage great distances across the Pacific. Today, there is a revival of these traditional navigation skills. Crews have sailed double-hulled waka from as far as Rarotonga to Aotearoa New Zealand, guided only by traditional methods.
The Meaning of Each Star:
Each star within the Matariki cluster is connected to the Māori world in its own special way:
- Matariki: The name Matariki is not only used to describe the entire cluster of stars, but a specific single star within the group. Matariki is the star that signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of people. Matariki is also connected to the health and wellbeing of people. Matariki loves to gather the people together, and to connect them with our environment. She encourages us to do the same, as often as possible.
- Pōhutukawa: Pōhutukawa is the star connected to those that have passed on. She encourages us to take time to remember them, and to acknowledge their impact on our lives.
- Tupuānuku: Tupuānuku is the star connected with everything that grows within the soil to be harvested or gathered for food. “Tupu” means ‘to grow’ and “nuku” is the shortened version of “Papatuanuku” and means ‘earth’. Tupuānuku encourages us to consider carefully what we are putting into Papatūānuku (the earth), and in what quantities.
- Tupuārangi: Tupuārangi is connected to food that comes from the sky, such as birds, or elevated fruit and berries from trees.
- Waitī: Waitī is connected with all freshwater bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters. Waitī watches over our freshwater environments. Our awa (rivers), roto (lakes), kūkūwai (wetlands), and waipuna (springs) – to name just a few. Waitī has heard the important stories that our waters have to tell. She encourages us to listen, and to learn from them as well.
- Waitā: Waitā is associated with the ocean, and food sources within it. Waitā encourages us to respect our coasts and oceans and treat their inhabitants like the taonga (treasures) they are.
- Waipuna-ā-Rangi: Waipuna-ā-rangi welcomes the winter sky waters in all their forms – ua (rain) ua nganga (hail) and hukarere (snow) included. She sees how these waters contribute to the healthy cycle of our earth, and also, the effects when they don’t arrive as required.
- Ururangi: Ururangi is the star connected with the winds. Ururangi is close friends with te whānau puhi (the wind family) – including Hauraro (the north wind), Tonga (the south wind), Hauāuru (the west wind), and Marangai (the east wind). She encourages us to get to know this family well, embrace its strength and prepare for any challenges it creates.
- Hiwa-i-te-Rangi: Hiwai-i-te-rangi is a wishing star, who helps us to recognise our hopes, dreams and aspirations for the coming year. She encourages us to hold firm to our goals, and seek out opportunities to see them realised.
How is Matariki celebrated?
- Traditionally, festivities were conducted to celebrate Matariki. They followed the harvesting of crops when the pātakapātaka (food storehouses) were full, freeing up time for family and leisure. These festivities included the lighting of ritual fires, the making of offerings, and celebrations of various kinds to farewell the dead, to honour ancestors, and to celebrate life.
- Nowadays, across New Zealand, people come together to remember their ancestors, share food, sing, tell stories, and play music.
- Sharing food is an essential ingredient of modern Matariki - which coincides nicely with the seasonal yearning for warmer comfort foods - as families, extended tribal families and communities get together to savour the fruits of the harvest.
- Kites play an important role in Māori culture, particularly during the winter season when they are flown to signify the start of Matariki. The Māori kite is called manu tukutuku or manu aute – manu translates as either kite or bird. Another word for kites is pākau, meaning the bird wing. Māori flew kites for recreation, but also as a means to communicate with those who had passed on, connecting heaven and earth.
Events around New Zealand in 2021:
Although Matariki becomes an official public holiday in New Zealand in 2022, it is still an important date in the 2021 calendar with celebrations happening across the country.
- Feast - This year, Eat New Zealand - a food community dedicated “to connecting people with our land through our food” is the force behind New Zealand’s first national food celebration, Feast Matariki. Running throughout June and July, Feast Matariki consists of a number of events and regional activations celebrating our national food culture in a way that is uniquely New Zealand. They talk to the Eat New Zealand Kaitaki - a collective of young New Zealand food storytellers - to share a bit about what Harvest in Aotearoa means to them.
- One event run as part of the 'Feast' celebrations was Kaikaukai at Coco's Cantina in Auckland. "A kaihaukai is a feast which acknowledges the exchange and sharing of food and knowledge, and recognises the importance in creating and maintaining relationships. Matariki is an important time to do this." Search for images of Kaihaukai in the assets area.
- Whangarei - Various cultural events will be taking place throughout June and July as part of Whangārei’s Matariki Festival, including fireworks, markets and night sky tours.
- Bay of Islands - The Bay of Islands Matariki Festival will run from July 2 to 11. There will be different cultural experiences to get involved in including feasts, dawn cruises, astrophotography, vineyard tours, and a must-see, the “Manu Masters” bomb competition.
- Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau is ringing in the Māori New Year with a huge Matariki Festival from June 19 to July 11. Opening the festivities is a Matariki Dawn Karakia at Takaparawhau/Bastion Point, followed by events to choose from for all ages; Manu Aute Kite Day, a light display on Auckland Harbour Bridge, and a night of music and dancing under the Matariki stars.
- Hamilton Waikato - The Matariki Ki Waikato Festival takes place from June 11 to July 31 and features a range of events spanning the arts, music, hauora (health), taiao (nature) and education, including kite day at Hamilton Gardens, the Te Ruru Light Festival, cultural workshops and family markets.
- Waitomo - Waitomo will light up for Matariki with a new festival from July 3 to 10, held in the famous Waitomo Caves. Including art exhibitions, twilight tours, unique dining experiences, and a special music performance within the caves’ spectacular “cathedral” chamber, it's not to be missed.
- Rotorua - Rotorua will come alive for Matariki, with exhibitions, decorations and markets that offer teachings and samples on the foods of Matariki, plus the Redwood Forest is putting on a special Matariki experience.
- Tauranga - Tauranga will offer a full programme of events throughout June and July, including early morning hīkoi (walks) up Mauao, art exhibitions, workshops, Māori film screenings, a village market celebrating kaupapa Māori and sustainability and a kite day.
- Wellington - Celebrate Matariki in the capital at the Ahi Kā event on the waterfront from July 2, featuring ahi (fire), kai (food), storytelling, waiata (song) and entertainment, plus a Matariki fireworks display on Wellington Harbour on July 10.
- Wairarapa - Explore, make, learn, discover and play together. Celebrate the Māori New Year with a range of traditional activities to inspire and engage for Matariki.
- Christchurch - Matariki will be celebrated in Ōtautahi this year with the inaugural Tīrama Mai event, a two-week light festival from June 25 to July 10. Tīrama Mai, which means to illuminate or bring light, will see the central city and New Brighton lit up with lighting installations, projections and illuminated artworks from 6pm to 11pm every night. The event will conclude with a magical fireworks display.
- Dunedin - Ōtepoti’s Puaka Matariki Festival will take place from July 2 to 16, with a series of community events including shared feasts, visual arts, music and dance performance, and educational programmes presented by the city’s galleries, libraries, archives and museums.
- Southland - The Murihiku (Southland) Matariki Festival will take place in Invercargill from July 2 to 6. Enjoy light installations, community art displays, workshops and entertainment.
- New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - Ngā Hihi o Matariki is a significant new work of symphonic proportions by Gareth Farr. To celebrate this Māori new year, join us for this sensational pulse-quickening experience - an opportunity to come together in recognition of a celestial event of uniqueness and beauty.
- Te Papa Museum - Get up close to taonga (treasures) from their collections to make connections to navigation and the night sky, which helps to find Matariki.
- Sustainable Coastlines - Celebrate Matariki by giving back to Papatūānuku. Sustainable Coastlines are hosting a native tree planting event as part of their ANZ Love Your Water Tour.
- Giapo - Created a Matariki inspired icecream.
Fun facts:
- New Zealanders’ awareness of Matariki is on the rise, although a survey in 2017 found that while almost 70 per cent of the population knew what it was, few understood its significance to Māori.
- As of June 2021, there are 18 certified International Dark Sky Reserves and 14 International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world. New Zealand is lucky enough to be home to 3 of these: Aoraki Mackenzie, Stewart Island and Great Barrier Island.
More information in the attached, including:
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Quotes from Dr Rangi Mātāmua
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The Starriest Places in NZ - listicle
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Top Stargazing Stays in NZ - listicle
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Best NZ Stargazing Experiences - listicle
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Biographies for participants involved in the video
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Toroi Recipe - traditional Māori dish
Matariki Moments | Video Links:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purenewzealand/posts/169506115204519
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PureNewZealand/status/1412207448908173315
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ9zDBqMoUU/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENxx5VOBzAE
Please also find the video file in multiple formats attached directly to this media pack.