1. MATARIKI
Matariki Hunga Nui
Matariki of many people
(refers to the drawing together of people to work)

2. What is Matariki?
• A group, or cluster,
of stars.
• Also known as the
Pleiades
• Or the Seven Sisters
• Celebrated by Maori
as the beginning of
a new year.

3. When is the Maori New
Year?
• There are 2 signs.
• The pre-dawn rise of
Matariki is seen in
late May.
• At the next new
moon, usually in
June, the new year
begins.

4. What does Matariki mean?
• Matariki has two
meanings.
• Both refer to a tiny
constellation of stars
• “Mata Riki” means
‘tiny eyes’
• “Mata Ariki” means
‘eyes of god’

5. Why is Matariki important?
• Signified the end of an
old year
• A good time for new
harvests
• Celebration of our
unique home and
culture
• A time of reflection on
the past and the future

6. How is Matariki celebrated?
• Reflecting on the
past
• Education
• Traditional
celebrations lasted
up to 3 days
• Most regions
organise special
events

7. Matariki in Otautahi
• Concert and
whanaungatanga
at Te Kura
Whakapumau.
• Exchange with
Tuahiwi School
• Workshops at Nga
Hau e Wha marae.

8. Matariki around the World
• The Matariki cluster
can be seen in many
parts of the world.
• Matariki - Maori
• Subaru - Japanese
• Matali’i - Samoan
• Mataliki - Tongan
• Makalii - Hawaiian
• Pleiades - Greek

9. Proverbs
• Matariki atua ka • Matariki taapuapua
eke mai i te rangi e • Matariki when water lies
roa, e roa, in pools
whangainga iho ki • (A synonym for the winter
season)
te mata o te tau e
roa e. • Matariki ahunga nui
• Matariki rising in the • Matariki with many
heavens, feed those heaped mounds
• The time to prepare mounds for
below with first fruits kumara planting

10. Matariki and Kiwiana
• “Kiwiana” - items
and icons that can
be identified as
uniquely Kiwi.
• Matariki as a cultural
celebration of the
new year in June is
unique to Aotearoa