Matariki
Matariki is an Maori known name for a group of seven stars called the Pleiades star cluster or Te Papa. This is a sign of Maori New Year celebration in New Zealand, And also a first Rising in late May or early June. While tribes or clans celebrate Matariki immediately or others observe it at the first full noon or first new noon following the rise of Matariki.
The names of the cluster of stars is Ururangi, Matariki, Waita and Waiti, Waipunarangi, Tupu-a-nuku and Tupu-a-rangi.
Celebrations in New Zealand for Matariki, Celebrating 3Matariki is gathering whanau (family) and reflecting on the past. The festival’s connection to the stars provided an opportunity for families to remember their whakapapa(genealogy) and those ancestors who had passed away to the heavens. Offerings were made to land-based gods who would help provide good crops, and new trees were planted to signal new beginnings.
Many of these traditional celebrations are still practiced today, however there are many others ways that Matariki is celebrated also. Most celebrations focus around music, song, dance, food and family, and celebrations can last up to 3 days.
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