Celebrate the Maori New Year - Matariki

Celebrate the Maori New Year - Matariki

Look in the night sky this month to see the seven sisters or Pleiades cluster

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter. For Māori it symbolises the New Year and is a special time to be with family and friends. In the past a clear bright sky with a visible new moon meant a good harvest. Today it is still important to celebrate and respect the earth and land we live on. Matariki literally means the 'eyes of god' (mata ariki) or 'little eyes' (mata riki).

There are many events on around the city in June to celebrate Matariki.It is a great time to visit Stardome in Cornwall Park where they have a special Matariki Dawn show. You can learn about astronomy as well as Maori mythology.

This Monday we'll celebrate Matariki with a special assembly. 

Look out for our talented kapa haka performers.