- Above: Image of Pleiades (Matariki) star cluster. This is a NASA image so the actual appearance will be different
Wikipedia image with editing from Dayne Laird
- Above: Matariki locator chart for Auckland prior to 10 June 2013
Image courtesy of Dayne Laird
- Above: Matariki locator chart for Auckland from mid-June 2013 onwards
Image courtesy of Dayne Laird
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.
Matariki will take place on 10th June in 2013.
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.
Charts showing Auckland locations are available on Dayne Laird's facebook page. 2012 images of Matariki taken by Dayne can be viewed here on his facebook photo album.
Where to find Matariki events
Eventfinda, 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.
