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Matariki is the Māori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which rises in late June or early July and marks the beginning of the Māori lunar year. Learn about the cultural significance, history, and celebration of Matariki, as well as its name and meaning in other Polynesian languages.
Learn about Matariki, the star cluster that marks the start of the Māori New Year in New Zealand. Find out the significance, history, celebration and how to spot the stars of Matariki.
What is Matariki? Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year. Iwi across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and at different times.
Learn about the history, significance, and celebration of Matariki, the Māori New Year, in New Zealand. Find events, activities, recipes, and resources to honor the past, celebrate the future, and connect with Māori culture.
Matariki the name of the entire cluster as well as its brightest star (also known as Alcyone). Māori believe that this individual star is the mother of the other eight visible stars in the group, and she has a strong connection to health and well-being.
Ngā whetū o Matariki The stars of Matariki. There are over 500 stars in the Matariki cluster – but only a handful are visible without the use of a telescope. Each of the stars has their own unique characteristics that Māori acknowledge and honour. Meet the stars below!
Waikato University professor Dr Rangi Matamua (Tūhoe) is one of the world’s foremost indigenous astronomers leading the revitalisation of Māori astronomy. Here’s his explanation of the Matariki meaning:
