Image of Pleiades (Matariki) star cluster, taken from Wikipedia. This is a NASA image so the actual appearance will be different. You can view another image on Te Ara's website.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. Traditionally for Māori when it appeared just before dawn in late May or early June, it signalled the start of the Māori New Year. For some tribes, the rising of Puanga (Rigel in Orion) signals the start of the New Year. In the early 2000s Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission), the Ministry of Education and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, became involved in the revival of Matariki celebrations.
When is Matariki?
Different tribes celebrated Matariki at different times. For some it was when Matariki rose in May/June. For others it was celebrated at the first new moon, or full moon, following the rising of Matariki. In the 21st century it is the new moon following the rising of Matariki that signals the New Year.
In 2012 Matariki will be on the 21st June.
How to find Matariki (the Pleiades)
You can either check out, ‘A beginner’s guide to finding Matariki’ on the Te Ara blog, or ‘Help finding Matariki’ on the Matariki events site.
Where to find Matariki events
Eventfinder, a partner site to Manatū Taonga – Ministry for Culture and Heritage, is an events website listing nationwide Matariki events.
Matariki Events, a national events calendar, is a project of the New Zealand Māori Tourism Council.
Visit Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand's website for details about their 2012 Matariki Festival.
