Matariki
One of the most significant celebrations in the Maori
calendar is Matariki - the indigenous New Year of Aotearoa and the Pacific. The
renaissance of this ancient Maori celebration and its traditions is a chance
for all New Zealanders to remind ourselves of the very special place we occupy
in the world.
Matariki is a small but distinctive star cluster whose
appearance in the north eastern pre-dawn sky in late May, early June marks the
start of a new phase of life. The star cluster contains more than 1,000 stars,
but only seven to nine can be seen by the naked eye in the night sky.
Matariki can be translated in two ways - Mata Riki (Tiny
eyes) and Mata Ariki (Eyes of God). Either way the eyes are thought to watch
over the land and its people.
New beginnings - As well as marking the start of a new year,
Matariki also signals other new beginnings. The New Year is a good time to
reflect on your place in the world, to reawaken old skills or try out new ones
and to set new goals.
Matariki was a relatively inactive time of year. This
allowed time for study and learning. For some iwi (tribes), the stars form the
first house of learning - a whare wananga in the sky.
Matariki is recognised widely in the Pacific as an important
sign to sailors. Matariki was both a navigational aid and a sign that the
weather was safe for long voyages with the stormy season past.
