Matariki



Matariki is the Māori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters; and what is referred to as the traditional Māori New Year. It is marked by the rise of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon. The pre-dawn rise of Matariki can be seen in the last few days of May every year and the new year is marked at the sighting of the next new moon which occurs during June.

 [|Matariki Festival]  introduces Matariki, including the history and suggests different ideas of how to be part of & celebrate Matariki. [|Astronomy NZ]  provides an introduction to Māori star lore, Māori star names, including star charts showing Māori constellations. From [|Te Papa]  :Traditionally the Māori the new year began in June, and divisions of the year were based on lunar months...  [|Korero Māori]  is a bilingual site which offers, history, fact & figures and ways to celebrate. Proverbs relating to Matariki from the [|Māori Language Commision]