Aotearoa / New Zealand

At least you were on time!

Certainly! Matariki, also known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters in Western astronomy, is a cluster of stars that holds special significance in Māori culture, which is indigenous to New Zealand. It becomes visible in mid-winter which marks the time for the Māori New Year.

The stars are considered an important guide for understanding the upcoming year. Different stars in the cluster each carry a distinctive focal area of the natural world, such as wind, people, harvests, plants and weather.

Socially, the Matariki holiday is a time of renewal and celebration. It's a time to remember those who've passed in the last year, and to plan for the new year. Community activities such as shared feasts, singing, dancing, and gift-giving tend to occur during Matariki.

Matariki also symbolizes a time of cultural pride and identity for Māori people. It's a period to pass on cultural heritage and knowledge to the next generation, including the language, traditions, history, and practices.

Today, Matariki is becoming more recognized and celebrated across New Zealand, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the unique Māori culture in Aotearoan society.