Celebrating Matariki in Wānaka

The Matariki celebration is based on three major principles. The first is remembrance; honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki. The second is a celebration of the present; gathering together to give thanks for what we have. Finally, we look to the future. Matariki is a time of renewal and celebration in Aotearoa (New Zealand) that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

Matariki is an abbreviation of Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhiraimātea – the eyes of the god Tāwhiraimātea. Tāwhiraimātea, the god of wind, was one of the children of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother). In the beginning, Ranguini and Papatūānuku were joined together, and their children were born in darkness. In order to allow light to come into the world, the children decided to separate their parents. Tāwhiraimātea was so angry with his siblings for separating their parents, that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens, thus creating the cluster Matariki.

In Aotearoa, Matariki comes into view low on the north-eastern horizon, in the tail of the Milky Way. Traditionally, Matariki is a time to acknowledge the dead and to release their spirits to become stars. The rise of Matariki was also tied to planting, harvesting and hunting – to be thankful to the gods and to share bounty. And if the stars were bright, it signaled a favourable and productive season ahead.

In this way, Matariki is a time to acknowledge the year just past, to celebrate the present and to prepare for the year ahead.

Iwi celebrate Matariki at different times; some when the cluster is first seen in the sky, others after the full moon rises and some at the new moon. Additionally, for some Iwi, there are seven prominent stars, while for others there are nine. To learn more about the interpretation of these stars, click here.

To learn more about Matariki, click here. We hope to see you at the Matariki celebrations in Wānaka!