What is the significance of Matariki?

Matariki is an important time in the Māori calendar. For many Māori, the rise of Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea (The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea), a cluster of stars known by European tradition as the Pleiades, signals the start of the Māori New Year.  It is a time for ceremony for our relationships and responsibilities that we have with each other, and our natural world around us.

Matariki is a time to celebrate the year gone and reflect on the year to come. It is a time for whānau (family) to come together to remember loved ones, to kōrero (speak and listen to stories), reflect on whakapapa (genealogy), and share kai (food), waiata (song), and kanikani (dance).

This year for the first time Aotearoa will mark Matariki with an official holiday on 24 June. For some Māori there are seven significant stars visible in the Matariki cluster, and for others there are nine. So, we’ve put together nine ways you can celebrate the unique kaupapa (values) of Matariki this Māori New Year.

#1.            Fly a Manu (kite)

Kites play an important role in Māori culture. Traditionally, Māori saw kites as a connection between the heavens and earth, and a means of communication with those who have passed away. But they were also used for other reasons. Today, flying kites signifies the start of Matariki. Children play with them and have kite-flying competitions. There are lots of fun events happening throughout Aotearoa that involve kite flying. In Tāmaki Makarau/Auckland you can celebrate the tradition of kite flying at the Puketāpapa Manu Aute Kite Day on 26 June. 

#2.       Play Kēmu (games)

Matariki is all about having fun with your loved ones. So, why not give some traditional Māori games a try this Matariki? Learn to play Mū Tōrere, which is a Māori board game; or Mā Whero which is a variation of the game of Tag. A really fun game is Poi Rakāu. This is where players are given a long stick and told to stand in a circle. When an instructor calls out whaka te matau the players must leave the rakāu (stick) they’re holding and try and catch the stick of the person to their right. If the instructor calls whaka te maui, they must move to their left. If they don’t catch the stick then that person is out. 

#3.       Tell Pūrākau (stories)

There are many stories about Matariki. One story tells of how Tāwhirimātea, the God of the Wind, was so angered when his siblings separated his parents Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the sky where they formed the star cluster that is known as Matariki. This Māori New Year many of our local libraries are hosting free fun family Matariki wā korero storytime events throughout Aotearoa. Why not check to see if your local library is hosting one!

#4.       Practice your Reo Māori

Māori language is an essential expression of Māori culture. Guardianship and preservation of te reo Māori is important to maintain pride and identity. Why not practice wishing someone a happy Matariki in te reo, by saying ‘Mānawatia a Matariki’, or add te reo Māori words to your everyday activities and play.

#5.       Learn a Waiata (song)

In Māori culture, there’s a song for every occasion. Waiata (song) and kanikani (dance) are an important way to celebrate, and a central part of customs and traditions. A fun activity you can do together with your whānau this Māori New Year is to learn a waiata. Why not start with the Matariki Waiata song, and learn the names of the stars of Matariki. 

#6.       Create Mahi Toi (Māori art)

Māori culture is rich with creativity. Many traditional practical skills, such as raranga (weaving), are respected art forms. There are lots of fun ways you can explore Māori culture this Matariki through art activities and engage creatively with your environment. A fun activity you can do as a whānau is make paper lanterns created from paper bags with a tea light. You can write your dreams, wishes and prayers on them and release them into the sky.

There are plenty of events happening throughout Aotearoa where you can participate in Māori art. 

#7.       Learn about ngā Whetū (the stars)

Each star holds a unique connection to our natural environment. There are many events happening throughout Aotearoa where you can learn about ngā Whetū (the stars) and their significance. From 18-25 June Stardome is opening its doors for free every evening for the Matariki Lights at Stardome, where you can enjoy a 10-minute show and hear about ngā Whetu (the stars) and ngā Aorangi (the planets) and the many stories written in our night skies passed down from generation to generation.  

Did you know that for some Māori the Matariki star cluster is not visible from where they live in Aotearoa. This is why for some iwi the rising of Matariki is the marker for the Māori New Year, but not for all. In areas like Hokianga, Northland and on the West Coast of New Zealand, it is not possible to see the Matariki star cluster. So, in these areas they use other stars to signify the start of the New Year, Rehua (Antares) in the west and Ruanga (Rigel) in the east.   

#8.       Try kai Māori (Māori food)

Ever wanted to try a hāngi (food cooked in an earth oven)? Trying new foods is always fun, and Matariki is the perfect time to get together to share kai (food) and try some traditional Māori foods from that year’s harvest. Kai is an important part of celebrating Matariki. Eating with acknowledgement of where it has come from and with gratitude. This year the Te Moana o Toi / Bay of Plenty Matariki celebrations are focused on food. 

#9.       Attend a local event

There’s heaps of fun to be had across Aotearoa this year to celebrate Matariki. Make sure you check out your local Council or Library’s website for what’s happening in your area. For more inspiration, here’s a list of events that are happening across Aotearoa below. 

Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau. Celebrate the rising of the New Year! 

• Mānawa a Matariki – the official Government website of Matariki. 
• Te Papa Tonarewa/Museum of New Zealand – Matariki kids activity book.
• Tāmaki Makaurau Matariki Festival 
• Matariki Glow Show 
• Waikato Matariki Events
• Bay of Islands Matariki Festival
• Twilight Matariki Glow Worm Tour
• Waitomo Caves Rongoā Education Series
• Bay of Plenty Matariki Dish Challenge
• Tauranga Art Gallery Star Hunt
• Matariki Cinematic Showcase – The Village Tauranga
• TE PĀ TŪ, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
• Matariki ki Pōneke – Wellington 
• Māoriland Film Festival – Wellington 
• Tīrama Mai – Christchurch 
• Puanga Matariki Winter Festival – West Coast
• Mana Moana – Ōtepoti
• Matariki Mackenzie Festival
• Murihiku Matariki Festival – Southland

For more inspiration visit: newzealand.com/nz/matariki