Matariki in New Zealand ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Matariki in New Zealand and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Matariki in New Zealand and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Matariki is a star cluster in the constellation of Taurus. In New Zealand, it appears in the sky in late May or early June, and for Maori people, it signals the start of the new year.
Matariki is also known as Pleiades, and its appearance in the sky heralds the start of the Maori new year. This is a time for feasting and celebrating, and for remembering loved ones who have passed away. Matariki is a time to reflect on the past year and to plan for the year ahead.
The name Matariki comes from the Maori words mata, meaning eyes, and riki, meaning little. This is because Matariki looks like a small cluster of stars.
In Maori mythology, Matariki is the mother of all stars. She is also known as Tupu-a-nuku, the earth mother, and Tupu-a-rangi, the sky father. Together, they created the universe.
Matariki is a special time for Maori people. It is a time to come together and celebrate life.