Matariki

 Matariki 

In the Māori language, Matariki is both the name of the Pleiades star cluster and also of the season of its first rising. This is a marker of the beginning of the new year.

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 13 July 2020.

Matariki has another name the seven sisters. The mother is Matariki, and her daughters are Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Waipunarangi, Waitī, Waitā, and Ururangi. Ururangi is the youngest daughter. The first matariki was celebrated in hawks bay in 2000. 

In Maori Matariki means 'tiny eyes' or 'eyes of God'. The children of the earth mother Papatuanuku and sky father, Ranginui, were divided over whether to separate them and bring light and life to the earth. Eventually, Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest, laid on his back and used his feet to force them apart. But Tawhirimatea, the god of the winds, did not agree with his brother's actions. He thought that separating his parents was cruel. He was so angry he tore out his own eyes and threw them into the heavens where they have looked down on man ever since. 

The eyes of Tawhirimatea have become many constellations, and among them live Matariki, the mother and her seven sisters. They rise after the winter solstice, and use their mana - their power - to help the weakened sun on his journey back south. 

Matariki is a time of renewal and an opportunity to reflect on who we are at this moment in time, and build connections with our whanau.