Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster commonly known as Pleiades and Subaru. When Matariki rises in the northern-eastern skies in the morning of the Tangaroa moon phase in the seasons of Tahi-o-pipiri or Ruhanui, it signals the start of the Māori New Year.

Māori follow the lunar calendar which is based on the monthly cycles of the moon’s phases. That means each year the exact day will change (like Easter) The official Matariki day (public holiday) in 2022 is (in Te Arawa) Ōtāne o Tahi-o-Pipiri, Friday 24 June 2022.

Photo credit - Matariki and her children in the sky. Rights Te Haunui Tuna 2016. E ai ki a Dr Rangi Matamua Waipuna-ā-rangi - Watches the skies, rains, snows, sleets which…

Traditonally Māori would have a ceremony which are commonly called, whangai i ngā whetū, whangai i te hautapu and te umu kohukohu whetū. Where they would prepare the best of the harvest from the year and make a meal to feed the atua, the stars. There have been few of these traditional ceremonies around the country, but there has been a resurgence in recent years. And many hapū, iwi, city’s and towns are now having private and civic ceremonies to mark the occasion.

If there are no iwi, hapū or civic ceremonies near you, you may want to:

• Create a karakia with your whānau

• Acknowledge your loved ones on their journey to Matariki

• Make a feast and share with friends and whānau

• Give thanks to the atua

• Send wishes to Hiwa-i-te-rangi

• Plant a tree

• Make a vison board and plan for the new year