Matariki

Māori culture · stars · new year · sky

Seven sister stars. Matariki is a group of seven bright stars called the Pleiades that are close together in the night sky, and the Māori people have watched them for hundreds of years.

Winter new year marker. When Matariki first appears in the sky in late June or early July, it signals the start of a brand new year according to the Māori lunar calendar, which follows the moon's cycles.

Time for celebration. The Matariki celebration is a time when whānau (families) gather together, remember people who have passed away, and prepare for the year ahead with food, stories, and special events.

Ancient knowledge. Māori people developed a deep understanding of the stars and sky over many generations, using them to guide planting and fishing seasons and to navigate across the ocean.

Official holiday now. Matariki became a public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022, so everyone in the country can celebrate this important Māori cultural event together.