Close message

Matariki

The rise of the cluster of Pleiades in winter sky marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. Understand the significance, traditions, and how Matariki is celebrated in New Zealand through kai like kumera, waiata, kites and story. SCIS no. 1808305

Filter by media type

Display as

Celebrating Matariki – Te Wharekura 15

Celebrating Matariki – Te Wharekura 15

Matariki re-appears, Whānui starts its flight. The signs of a new year!

Matariki Festival 2018

Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It's a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters).

Matariki

A selection of images on Matariki.

Gourmet hangi

The largest gourmet hangi in Aotearoa will be served up to viewers who tune into Māori TV to celebrate Matariki.

Matariki 2011 - LATE at the Museum

Matariki 2011 - LATE at the Museum

This video explores the traditions of Matariki and the place of this festival within contemporary culture.

Matariki teaching activities

Why do we bother to measure time in days, months and years? Why are there so many ways of measuring time?

‘Te Matariki’

‘Te Matariki’

This artwork by Brett Graham explores the themes of creation, growth and knowledge, which are often linked in Māori cosmology.

Matariki story – Ngāti Toa Rangatira

Matariki story – Ngāti Toa Rangatira

Hear the Matariki story of Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi (tribe), retold for children by kaumātua (elder) Te Waari Carkeek.

A wiki by Waihi & Waihi Beach schools on their favourite resources and planning. Includes ideas from students.

Celebrating Matariki. School Journal, Part 02 No. 02, 2005. Pgs. 12-17

Matariki is celebrated by the Nga Puhi tribe in this article.

The Pleiades star cluster

A photograph of one of our most famous star cluster on the sky, the Pleiades.

Gives astronomical and cultural information about the importance of Matariki, and the star cluster Pleiades.

Presents a summary of what Matariki is. Includes ideas how communities and families can celebrate the festival.

How to make Manu Tukutuku

Step by step instructions on how to make your own manu tukutuku.

The big chill and the big drill

What was the weather like in Antarctica and what kinds of animals lived there?

Matariki - the Māori new year

Offers information and resources about Matariki in relation to the New Zealand curriculum.

Presents brief information about Matariki and how educators and their tamariki can celebrate and acknowledge Matariki.

Matariki waiata

Celebrate Matariki – sing this beautiful waiata (song), Ngā Tamariki O Matariki, with your tamariki (children).

Growing potato & kumara

Gives tips on how to grow potato and kumara for school gardens.

Marker for the Matariki/Pleiades

Photograph of a sculpture in the Wairarapa featuring the Matariki/Pleiades cluster.

Seven Sisters or Pleiades

The Pleiades - or Seven Sisters are one of the most famous collections of stars in our night sky.

Matariki teaching resource

This resource is designed to raise student awareness of Matariki.

Seven Stars of Matariki

Seven Stars of Matariki read by its author, Toni Rolleston-Cummins.

How to grow your own kumara shoots

Brief article on how and when to grow kumara.

Matariki infographic

If you're looking to find Matariki in the night sky, this infographic by NZherald will make your star spotting a little easier.

An animation that explores the Matariki legend.

Matariki classroom resources

Presents a wall of creative and inspirational ideas and ways to celebrate Matariki.

Photographic set of the Matariki stars at night, as well as phases of the moon with added commentary.

Excellent guide covering the cultural significance of Matariki and how it is celebrated. Also available in te reo.

A Maori opinion on the trees and stars

A long letter from a Māori, dating from Waikouaiti, on the conservation of forests.

Coming soon

Standing 12m-high, this sculpture celebrates the concept of Pleiades/Matariki; its design is a representation of the Pleiades in the form of a growing vine, with the stars of Matariki forming the f...

Carved door

Carved door and door surround, including the coat of arms for the Māori Kings (Te Paki o Matariki) at the Māori meeting house Turongo, Ngaruawahia. Three unknown persons sit at the foot of the door.

Te Paki o Matariki (1893)

Te Paki o Matariki (1893)

Twinkling in the winter skies of June, Matariki (the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year.

Matariki

Explores the traditions of Matariki and the place of this festival within contemporary culture.

A beginner’s guide to finding Matariki

Article with instructions on where to find Matariki in the night sky and its cultural significance.

Matariki

Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also know as the Pleiades or Seven Sisters in other cultures. The rise of Matariki in mid-winter marks the start of the new year for most iwi in trad...

What is Matariki? LEVEL: Primary / Intermediate Matariki is the Māori name for the constellation of stars, as well as the celebration, that signals the Māori New Year. The constellation </...

Wellington City Council cancels Guy Fawkes and moves fireworks Sky Show to Matariki

Wellington will formally make Matariki, the Maori New Year, a major city celebration in 2018 instead of Guy Fawkes.

It's time to greet the Maori New Year. For the first time ever, the seventh little sister, Ururangi, can make her own celebration kite.

Matariki poem written by Moana, age 12

Matariki is a time in midwinter to gather with family and friends and celebrate the Māori New Year.