Matariki Report

What is Matariki ? 

Matariki is the Maori name for the cluster of stars known as the pleiades and rises in midwinter. 

What does the name Matariki mean and what is the Maori myth behind Matariki? 

According to myth, when Ranginui the Sky Father and Papatuanuku the Earth Mother were separated by their children Tawhirimatea got so mad that he tore his eyes out and threw them into the heavens. 

Matariki is a time for dancing, singing and Feasting. Matariki was a wonderful time but the celebrations stopped in the 1940’s. 

Taking notes: Matariki is the name for the Maori new year. One night they disappeared from the night sky in Aotearoa. It is a time for hearing stories about the past. Matariki is for me to be with friends and family. 

By Ceazah-Blue and Damian