Matariki or the Māori New Year is a time for each of us to reflect on our place in the world. In 2022, Aotearoa / New Zealand celebrates the first Matariki official public holiday on Friday 24 June. Read this eTangata article by Dr Rangi Mātāmua to find out how Matariki will connect us all and how western science and mātauranga Māori "are not adversaries but are linked together ,,,[and future generations of Aotearoa may look back and recognise 24 June 2022 as] the day we came of age as a nation". Download the free Stellarium Mobile app to your phone to locate Matariki (Pleiades) in relation to Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran), Puanga (Rigel) and Tautoru (Orion's belt). You can also take up the Pipiri Matariki Wero or Matariki month challenge to learn more about Matariki each day of this month.
Watch how to find the Matariki star cluster by Hauiti Gardiner [Video by Te Papa]
Award winning sand artist, Marcus Winter, presents the story of Matariki.
And the other 8 stars of Matariki presented by Ara are Pōhutukawa; Ururangi; Waipuna-ā-rangi; Waitī; Waitā; Tupu-ā-nuku; Tupu-ā-rangi; Hiwa-i-te-rangi.
Mahinga kai is significant to the time of Matariki. These library blogposts share about Ngāi Tahu's food gathering activities during the time of Matariki.