Matariki.
"He kura huna nō te rangi — A hidden treasure from the heavens."
Te Ohonga.
An authoritative exploration of the celestial cycle that defines the Māori New Year.
As the cold winds of Pipiri (June) begin to settle across the rugged landscape of Aotearoa, the eyes of the people turn toward the pre-dawn horizon. There, in the delicate moments before the sun breaks the line of the earth, a cluster of stars emerges from the embrace of the celestial darkness. This is Matariki. For Māori, this appearance marks the beginning of the New Year, a transition that carries profound spiritual, environmental, and social weight.
The word Matariki is an abbreviation of 'Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea' (The eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea). According to Māori tradition, when the sky father Ranginui and the earth mother Papatūānuku were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, was so overwhelmed with anger that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens. There they stuck to the chest of his father, becoming the stars we now recognize as the Pleiades.
Matariki.co.nz is established to protect and project this knowledge with the integrity it deserves. In a modern world that often moves at a speed detached from nature, Matariki calls us back to the environment. It asks us to observe the clarity of the stars, the temperature of the winds, and the health of our waters. It is a time for reflection—a celestial "reset" for the soul and the soil.
Te Maramataka.
To understand Matariki, one must first understand the Maramataka—the Māori lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is fixed and mechanical, the Maramataka is relational. It does not simply measure the passage of time; it measures the movement of life. The rising of Matariki occurs during the month of Pipiri, yet the specific day for the New Year celebration is fluid, calculated by the first Tangaroa moon phase following the sighting of the cluster.
This system was vital for survival. The Maramataka provided a biological and spiritual roadmap. It told our ancestors when the fish would be biting, when the soil was ready for the kūmara, and when it was time to retreat indoors to preserve energy. Matariki signifies the coldest time of the year, a season where the growth of the land slows to a crawl. It is the earth's period of sleep, and by extension, it is a period for humans to seek sanctuary within their whānau (families) and hapū (sub-tribes).
"The stars do not just sit in the sky; they are a report card for the environment we have been entrusted to protect."
In ancient times, the visibility of the stars was used to predict the fortunes of the coming year. If the stars appeared clear and bright, it was a sign of a warm, productive season ahead with abundant harvests. If they appeared hazy or bunched together, it warned of a cold, unproductive winter and lean times. Today, this practice reminds us of our climate responsibilities. If we cannot see the stars through the smog of our own making, we lose our connection to the rhythm of the universe.
The Nine Guardians.
Matariki
Central Wellbeing
The mother of the cluster, Matariki is the star of health, peace, and the gathering of people. When she is bright, it signals a year of prosperity and social harmony.
Pōhutukawa
Memory & Grief
The star connected to those who have passed away. It is during the rising of Pōhutukawa that we call out the names of our loved ones who have returned to the stars.
Waitī
Freshwater
Guardian of all freshwater bodies—rivers, lakes, and springs. This star reminds us of our duty to protect our 'wai māori' (fresh water) for the health of all life.
Waitā
The Saltwater
Connected to the ocean and the tides. Waitā governs the kaimoana (seafood) that sustains our coastal communities and the health of the vast Pacific.
Waipunarangi
The Rains
Associated with the rains, the mist, and the moisture of the sky. It warns us of the weather patterns that will either nourish or challenge our crops.
Tupu-ā-nuku
Earthly Food
Guardian of everything that grows within the soil. This star is the patron of the gardener and the farmer, ensuring the fertility of the earth.
Tupu-ā-rangi
The Forests
Linked to the birds and the fruits of the ngahere (forest). It represents the sky-bound bounty and the ancient trees that hold the canopy.
Ururangi
The Winds
Connected to Tāwhirimātea, this star governs the nature of the winds. It teaches us how to navigate the invisible forces that move across our islands.
Hiwa-i-te-rangi
Aspirations
The wishing star. Unlike the others, Hiwa does not look back; she looks only forward, carrying our hopes and dreams for the coming cycle.
Te Hautapu.
The ritual of Hautapu (feeding the stars with steam) is perhaps the most spiritually potent aspect of the celebration.
The ceremony begins in the pre-dawn darkness. An earth oven (umu) is prepared with specific foods that represent the domains of the stars: kūmara for Tupu-ā-nuku, birds for Tupu-ā-rangi, fish for Waitā, and eels for Waitī. As the stars emerge on the horizon, the oven is opened. The steam—the 'hau' or essence—rises into the freezing morning air, symbolically feeding the stars and acknowledging their role in our survival.
It is a moment of total communal focus. Silence is observed as the names of the recently deceased are called out. It is believed that Pōhutukawa gathers these souls and carries them across the sky to become part of the cluster. This process allows the community to release their grief into the heavens, clearing the path for the festivities that follow.
Te Puanga.
For many iwi—particularly those in Northland, Taranaki, and Whanganui—the star Puanga (Rigel) is the primary marker of the New Year. Because Puanga rises higher and brighter than Matariki in these regions, it is a more reliable celestial signal for those living on the western and northern coasts.
This regional difference is not a conflict of knowledge; it is a celebration of it. It highlights that Māori culture is deeply rooted in local landscapes. We are a people of the 'wāhi' (place). Matariki.co.nz recognizes that for many, Puanga is the beacon that calls the people together to begin their winter wānanga (learning sessions).
A National Shift.
In 2022, Aotearoa New Zealand officially recognized Matariki as a public holiday. This was a landmark moment—the first time an Indigenous lunar holiday has been given national status.
The revitalization of Matariki represents a willingness to embrace Māori knowledge as a foundational part of our nation's identity. It is a gift that Māori have given to all who call this land home. It offers a unique opportunity for non-Māori to engage with te ao Māori (the Māori world) in a way that is celebratory, educational, and inclusive.
However, with national recognition comes the responsibility of protection. We must guard against the commercialization of our sacred traditions. Matariki is not about sales, shopping, or "Christmas-style" consumerism. It is a time for the 'noho puku'—the quiet internal reflection. It is about a meal shared with neighbors, the planting of a tree, or a conversation with an elder.
As we look to the future, Matariki.co.nz remains dedicated to being the authoritative home for this knowledge. We provide the resources, the stories, and the guidance to ensure that as the stars rise each year, our understanding of them rises too.
"The stars have guided us across the Pacific for thousands of years; they will continue to guide us into the digital age."