What is Matariki?
Every year in the middle of winter, the Matariki star cluster rises, ushering in the Māori New Year. It represents a time to gather with whānau and friends, reflect on the past, honour the present and look forward to the future.
Matariki is a star cluster, commonly known as the Pleiades. In Māori tradition, the Matariki cluster is often associated with nine stars, though some regions acknowledge seven, according to Te Papa. The nine stars are: Matariki, Tupuārangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipuna-ā-Rangi, Tupuānuku, Ururangi, Pōhutukawa, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi.
Traditionally, Matariki was a time to honour ancestors, celebrate the harvest, and acknowledge the changing seasons, and many modern traditions continue to be guided by these principles.
This year’s theme
This year’s theme is Matariki mā Puanga: Celebrating together.
The theme acknowledges another star that is different to the Matariki star cluster. In some parts of Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly in the western and southern regions, Puanga is used to mark the Māori New Year, instead of Matariki, due to its visibility from those locations. Both Matariki and Puanga rise in the eastern sky before the sun during the winter period.
Matariki mā Puanga means ‘Matariki and Puanga’ and this phrase acknowledges both the relationship between these stars, and the idea that although different stars are used by some to mark the occasion, the themes that underpin the ceremony and celebration are the same.
According to matariki.com the phrase Matariki mā Puanga is ‘a reminder that regardless of our different backgrounds, origins, and practices we use this celebration to come together and share the many unique elements that shape our identity’.
Where to look
To see the Matariki star cluster, the best time is early morning between 5:30am and 6:30am, weather permitting. The stars can be seen for several days around this time. Look towards the eastern horizon before the sun rises, and follow these steps to find Matariki:
- Find three bright stars in a line. Māori call these stars Tautoru; they are also known as Orion’s belt (often known as the pot).
- Next, trace to the left of Tautoru until you come to a group of stars that look like a pyramid. This is Te Kokotā.
- Finally, if you look to the left of Te Kokotā you will see Matariki.
Live broadcast
Hosted by Stacey Morrison and Mātai Smith, this year’s live Mānawatia a Matariki broadcast runs from 6:00am – 11:00am on June 20.
Featuring a traditional hautapu ceremony, kapa haka performances, live music and discussions on the history and significance of the occasion, it will be available to view on matariki.net.nz and across a number of media and broadcast channels.
A public holiday
Matariki was first celebrated as an official public holiday in New Zealand in 2022. The date will change from year to year, but it will always fall in June or July, with the next five years being 10 July (2026), 25 June (2027), 14 July (2028), 6 July (2029) and 21 June (2030).
While the day is an official public holiday, there are no trading restrictions, so stores and hospitality businesses can still open. Hospitality businesses may add a 15 per cent surcharge on the day to cover the costs of paying employees time-and-a-half, but it must be clearly communicated.
