Matariki - What is Matariki in New Zealand...

Matariki. What is Matariki in New Zealand?

Matariki is a Maori (or originally East polynesian) name for a group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster of the Seven sisters; and what is referred to as the traditional Maori New Year.

When is the Maori 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 moon rising in early June - this year (2008) it falls on 5 June.This marked the time for traditional planting of food.

With the renaissance of Maori culture there is now added interest in traditional and historical events in Maori culture such as Matariki, which is after all the southern hemisphere new year.

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