Matariki is the Māori name for the small cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, in the Taurus constellation. In New Zealand it comes into view low on the north-eastern horizon, appearing in the tail of the Milky Way in the last days of May or in early June, just before dawn. This heralds the Māori New Year.
Various Māori tribes celebrated Matariki at different times. Some held festivities when Matariki was first seen in the dawn sky; others celebrated after the full moon rose or at the beginning of the next new moon.
For all tribes, the importance of Matariki has been captured in proverbs and songs, which link it with the bright star:
Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.
Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!
Matariki re-appears, Whānui starts its flight. Being the sign of the [new] year!
Celebrations, events, festivals and exhibitions connected with Matariki are happening all over New Zealand through June and into early July. Many will involve music covering a wide range of genres. For a detailed list of events and contact details, organised by region, go to the official "Matariki Events website here":http://www.matarikievents.co.nz/.
Start time
June 4, 2009 11:00PM
Location
New Zealand
